Rating: 
Proportions Stew earns the Advisor’s highest rating of 5 stars.
The Proportions product line includes two canned dog foods…
- Proportions Hand Carved Chicken in Pumpkin Soup
- Proportions Wild Pacific Salmon in Sweet Potato Soup
Although we categorize it as canned, Proportions Stew is actually supplied in a foil pouch. The company claims the product meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance.
Proportions Hand Carved Chicken in Pumpkin Soup
Canned Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Boneless chicken, water, pumpkin, carrot, pea, tapioca starch, sunflower oil, calcium carbonate, tricalcium phosphate, fish oil, xanthan gum, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), nicotinic acid (source of vitamin B3), calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, potassium iodide, manganese sulfate, vitamin D3 supplement, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement (source of vitamin B2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.1%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first item in this dog food lists chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Chicken is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is water, which adds nothing but moisture to this food. Water is a routine finding in most canned dog foods.
The third ingredient is pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition, high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.
The fourth item lists carrots. Like pumpkin, carrots are also loaded with beta-carotene, minerals and healthy fiber.
The fifth ingredient includes peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The sixth item includes tapioca. Tapioca is a starchy extract made from the root of the cassava plant. This carbohydrate is not only grain-free, it’s also gluten-free.
The seventh item is sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3′s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.
Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.
There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With three notable exceptions…
First, we note the inclusion of fish oil which is naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Next, we find guar gum, a gelling or thickening agent found in many wet pet foods. Refined from dehusked guar beans, guar gum can add a notable amount of dietary fiber to any product.
Surprisingly, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Non-chelated minerals are usually associated with lower quality dog foods.
Proportions Stew… the Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Proportions Stew appears to be an above-average wet dog food.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 75%, a fat level of 8% and estimated carbohydrates of about 10%.
High protein. Low fat. And very low carbs when compared to a typical wet dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a wet dog food containing an abundance of of meat.
Bottom line?
Proportions Stew is a meat-based wet dog food using a generous amount of deboned chicken as its main source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars.
Even though Proportions Stew qualifies as a standalone adult dog food right from its pouch, that’s not it’s intended use.
Those looking for a unique custom feeding program optimized for your pet, be sure to read our review of Proportions Dog Food.
Enthusiastically recommended.
A Final Word
This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.
For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.
Have an opinion about this dog food? Or maybe the review itself? Please know we welcome your comments.
Notes and Updates
04/30/2010 Original review
11/29/2010 Review updated
01/10/2012 Review updated (no changes)
- Association of American Feed Control Officials ↩
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.