Today, we review the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food. It promises to be a really interesting review as we go into the ingredient-by-ingredient review of this product to see if it’s great for your dog.
Purina offers just three products for diabetic and overweight dogs – two kibble products and one canned food. Already, we have reviewed one kibble variety and one canned food variety. The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Select Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food, and the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Canned Dog Food.
If you want, you could check out those reviews here and here.
But over to our featured product for today. If you’ve read the previous products before this, you’ll find that these products are pretty much the same barring a few additions and subtractions in the composition of the ingredients in each product.
Once again, we are seeing a lot of soy here and that gets us worried. Ardent followers of this site would know all the reasons soy worries us. But if this is your first time here, that’s fine. We will uncover every reason we are not excited about soy.
Let’s get into this review!
Table of Contents
Who Is The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food For?
The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food is specifically made to help dog owners manage their dogs struggling with overweight issues as well as obesity.
But then it is still high in protein levels, at least, enough to ensure that your dog maintains his lean body mass while losing the unnecessary fat. This, of course, helps to keep the sugar in check so that obesity doesn’t lead to other complicated conditions.
Besides obesity and diabetes, the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food caters to dogs with other conditions as well. Some of them include hyperlipidemia, fiber responsive colitis, and constipation.
Now, you want to keep in mind that the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food is a prescription diet. This means that you’d need to present a document from your vet that authorizes you to make the purchase from the store which you intend to make the purchase from.
Lastly, this is a food made for adult dogs alone, not for puppies. It can cater to adult dogs of all breed sizes, small, medium and large.
Ingredients In The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
Whole Grain Corn
Corn is still a highly contested ingredient in dog food. Many people have their differing opinions on whether or not to include corn in a dog food product. However, most experts seem to be of the opinion that corn or corn-based ingredients are not the best ingredients you could possibly include in any dog diet.
But what does the American Animal Feed Control Officials have to say about this matter?
Well, according to the AAFCO, whole grains, generally, are not quite good for most dogs. It is true that they supply the body with carbohydrate which acts as a source of energy. This is great until they are used as the main ingredient.
According to the AAFCO, using corn/corn-based ingredients as the main ingredient in a dog food is unhealthy for most dogs.
This is not to say, however, that corn is without its nutritional benefits. For instance, we know that corn supplies the body with vitamins (A, B, and E), minerals (copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc).
Plus, of all cereals, corn is the highest supplier of energy. There are about 342 calories in every 100 grams of corn.
But just how healthy is whole grain corn? If we use the USDA’s National Nutrient Database, you find that corn scores a pitiable 34 compared to quinoa and spinach with 45 and 91 respectively. So, you see that corn is not as healthy as it is touted to be.
Besides that, whole grain corn is not easily digestible in dogs. So, to even include it in any dog fod, it would still have to be processed first.
Finally, corn is not low-glycemic. The truth is that how high or otherwise the glycemic index of corn is in any dog food is is dependent on just how processed it is. The finer the grinding, the higher the glycemic index. So, for instance, where whole grain corn has a GI rating of 53, corn meal rates at 69.
Corn Gluten Meal
The great thing about corn gluten meal is that it does not actually contain “gluten.” So, that should be some relief for those who were already worried. “Corn gluten” is mostly jargon used to refer to the protein derived from corn.
Now, seeing that corn gluten meal contains proteins, we are sure many dog parents are relaxed. However, if you follow our blog closely, you’d already see why the proteins from corn gluten meal would be a problem.
When it comes to proteins in dog food, the quality as well as the digestibility of the protein is also important. And, generally, proteins from plant sources are much more difficult for dogs to digest than those from animals.
Besides that, plants don’t contain essential amino acids which dogs actually require for body building and other things which amino acids carry out in the body.
So, mostly, corn gluten meal is used as a replacement for meat protein in dog food and also helps to bind the kibble together.
Now, to perform this function, corn gluten meal contains a high concentration of corn. This could lead to allergies and sensitivity over time. Plus, for dogs that are naturally sensitive to corn already, the presence of corn gluten meal, in addition to whole grain corn should make this product a no-no for them.
Soybean Hulls
What are soybean hulls? Trust us, they are as cheap and as unnecessary as they sound. From our findings, soybean hulls are mostly added to dog food as a cheap form of filler which helps to add bulk to the food in question.
So, because soybean hulls provide a lot of fiber, they keep your dog satisfied for longer. But that’s about everything that soybean hulls bring to the table. There’s not much else.
In fact, like you might have already guessed, soybean hulls are actually waste products, or more correctly, the skins of soybeans. So, basically, after soybeans has been processed into soybean oil or soybean meal, the leftovers are what we know as the soybean hulls.
So, in summary, soybean hulls have no nutritional value and that’s minus all the bad news we’ve already been seeing recently about soy.
Soybean Meal, Soybean Germ Meal
Like we mentioned in the last sub, soy has been in the eye of the scientific community for a while now and for all the wrong reasons. However, the camp is still quite divided for now on whether or not soy is actually good for consumption or not. But with the overwhelming evidence to convict soy, we are quite surprised this is still up for debate.
In truth, soybeans has been known to be quite nutritious in the past. On a good day, there are many nutritional benefits soy has to offer. Soy is known to provide amino acids, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
Although the amino acids from soybean is not the best we could ask for in dog food, the fatty acids soy provides helps to care for the skin, fur, and coat of the dog.
But there’s more… Soy has been known to contain some chemical substances known as isoflavones. These isoflavones have an awesome function of boosting energy levels while decreasing fat accumulation in the body which, in turn, reduces obesity.
But here is the thing about soy that isn’t quite as flowery as what we’ve seen so far. Most of the soy available today are genetically modified. Genetically modified soy has severe side effects in dogs that consume them.
Some symptoms of these side effects include diarrhea, loss of hair on the back and on the tail as well, vomiting, excessive scratching and licking of body parts, severe ear infections, etc. Please watch out for these symptoms when feeding your dog any diet containing soy.
Pea Fiber
The first red flag here is that there’s no standardized definition of pea fiber by the AAFCO. Nonetheless, the use of pea fiber still continues to increase in the pet food industry. And since there’s no standardization by the AAFCO, anybody can literally use anything and list it as pea fiber. Scary.
That said, pea fiber is pretty much like most of its peers. The only difference is that unlike most other vegetable fibers, pea fiber does not produce as much gas as other vegetable fibers.
Let’s now segue into the nutritional content of pea fiber as that’s the most important consideration factor here. Nutritionally, pea fiber has a high concentration of fiber (35% to 40%) but a very low concentration of fats. This is one of the reasons it is commonly used in foods for obese and overweight dogs. Keeps your dog full for longer and keeps them from getting fat.
Finally, although pea fiber contains tryptophan and lysine, pea fiber only contains very little protein.
Wheat Gluten
Okay, another grain in this food and it is wheat, or more specifically, wheat gluten. For good reason, wheat has been getting a bad rap among scientists and dog owners.
According to what we know, wheat gluten and wheat have been linked to celiac disease. Celiac disease usually occurs in persons supposed to avoid gliadin. This gliadin is a glycoprotein found in foods with gluten. However, this is found in humans.
In dogs, it’s rare to find gluten sensitivity. What we see more often is an intolerance to gliadin. But let’s get this one thing straight. Eating wheat gluten will not get your dog to develop gluten sensitivity. Like we said, it’s extremely rare and seems to only occur in certain breeds that are already predisposed to this condition like the Irish Setter.
Now, in pets, gluten is included as a source of protein in the meal. It is almost completely digestible (99%) and also improves the health of the alimentary canal.
Wheat gluten, in particular, makes a great source of protein, it contains very little saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol. Also, interestingly, the amino acid profile of wheat gluten is somewhat similar to what you have in meat profile which is great for a prescription diet.
Poultry By-Products
Poultry by-products are all the clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered poultry which humans might not necessarily consume but are considered safe for animals to consume. These parts might include the neck, head, feet, gizzard, intestine (content must be removed first), or underdeveloped eggs. These rendered parts must be exclusive of feathers except it comes in unavoidably while maintaining good rendering practices.
Poultry by-products are a crucial source of essential amino acids in dog food. When combined with fish meal, meat and bone meal, blood meal, and feather meal, poultry by-product meal makes a really rich protein source in any dog food.
And besides amino acids, pultry by-products also make an excellent source of fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. Plus, poultry by-product meal is quite delish!
Animal Digest
Animal digest refers to animal protein that has been broken down into peptides. The reason animal digest is referred to as “digest” is because the process by which the amino acids are broken down into peptides is very similar to the digestion process in the body.
These peptides are then made into either a powder or into paste which is what is then added to the dog food. It’s tasty, makes the food more delicious and also supplies the body with the needed proteins.
Powdered Cellulose
Cellulose in your pet’s food would bother anyone. This time around, the cellulose in here is obtained from pine trees. It is then crushed and processed in a pulping mill before it is then added as an ingredient to the dog food.
As an ingredient, powdered cellulose is added to give the food a bit more bulk. Good thing it does not contain calories but it contains no nutrients either. So, it brings zero value to the table. Just a useless filler, pretty much.
But then again, it also has its side effects in that it affects the absorption of minerals in dogs. And if consumed in large quantities, it could cause dogs to pass out large volumes of stool.
Tricalcium Phosphate
Tricalcium phosphate is a mineral salt and is included in dog food as a means to supply phosphorus and calcium to dogs for developing strong bones and teeth. Phosphorus in the diet also helps to maintain acid/alkali balance in the body.
Pros Of The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
1. Loved by many dog parents.
2. Recommended by many vets.
3. Seemed to work for many dogs.
4. Many dogs transitioned to this food quite easily.
Cons Of The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
1. A little out of reach for some pet parents
2. Too few animal protein sources in this food product.
3. Contains a lot of soy which we know to not be best for dogs and even humans.
4. Not all dogs enjoy the taste of the food.
Alternatives To The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
OM Select Blend – The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Select Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
This is a slightly different product than our featured product. It costs about the same as our featured product as well and comes in different bag sizes. It also contains a lot of soy which gets us worried but, compared to our featured product, it contains more animal protein.
Canned Food Variety – The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Canned Dog Food
If you want a canned food variety of our featured product, try out the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary OM Overweight Management Formula Canned Dog Food. It is quite affordable, although smaller in size. It also comes in packs of 12 as well.
Different Brand – KetoNatural Ketona Chicken Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food
If you’re not a fan of Purina, you could try out this product from KetoNatural. It is available in two sizes and is a little more expensive than our featured product.
Quick Comparison Table
| Featured Product | OM Select | Canned Food | Different Brand | |
| Product |
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
Click here to get it from Amazon!
|
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Select Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
Click here to get it from Amazon!
|
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Canned Dog Food
Click here to get it from Amazon!
|
KetoNatural Ketona Chicken Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food
Click here to get it from Amazon!
|
| Ingredients | Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Hulls*, Soybean Germ Meal, Soybean Meal, Pea Fiber, Wheat Gluten, Poultry By-Product Meal, Animal Digest, Powdered Cellulose, Tricalcium Phosphate, Animal Fat Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols (Form of Vitamin E). | Ground Yellow Corn, Soybean Leal, Soybean Germ Meal, Soybean Hulls**, Soy Flour, Poultry By-Product Meal, Pea Fiber, Animal Digest, Powdered Cellulose, Animal Fat Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols (Form of Vitamin E), Glycerin, Chicken, Tricalcium Phosphate, Malted Barley Flour, Corn Gluten Meal. | Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken, Liver, Rice, Powdered Cellulose, Soy Protein Isolate, Meat By-products, Carrageenan, Guar Gum, Calcium Phosphate, Added Color, Potassium Chloride. | Chicken, Pea Protein, Ground Green Peas, Oat Hulls (Source of Fiber), Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed Meal, Phosphoric Acid, Gelatin, Chicken Liver Digest, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Pea Fiber, Potassium Chloride. |
| Kibble/Canned | Kibble | Kibble | Canned | Kibble |
| Size | 6-pound, 18-pound, and 32-pound bags | 6-pound, 18-pound, and 32-pound bags | Case of 12 13.3 Ounce Cans | 4.2-pound, and 24.2-pound bags |
| Best For | A high-protein prescription used to manage weight gain and diabetes in adult dogs of all breed sizes.
Also great for dogs that struggle with obesity, constipation, fiber responsive colitis, and hyperlipidemia. |
A high-protein prescription used to manage weight gain and diabetes in adult dogs of all breed sizes.
Also great for dogs that struggle with obesity, constipation, fiber responsive colitis, and hyperlipidemia. |
A high-protein prescription used to manage weight gain and diabetes in adult dogs of all breed sizes.
Also great for dogs that struggle with obesity, constipation, fiber responsive colitis, and hyperlipidemia. |
This high-protein, low-glycemic dog food does not contain corn, wheat, or soy and is great for managing diabetes in adult dogs of all breed sizes. |
What Customers Have To Say About The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
We could tell that vets had no problems recommending this product to dog owners. Also, many dogs found it quite easy transitioning from their regular diets to this one. Of course, we can’t say that all dogs found it easy but many did, from the reports we got.
Price was a small problem for some dog parents though. It seemed to be a bit out of reach for some. However, there seemed to be a small consolation from the fact that the product seemed to work for most diabetic dogs.
Lastly, customers swear by the product especially if you do your part by avoiding extra feeding besides the prescribed feeding pattern.
Our Verdict
We found it difficult to love the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food for obvious reasons. The product is riddled with all kinds of ingredients that we are not crazy about including whole grain corn, soy, and powdered cellulose.
Besides that, animal protein sources are not many here which means your dog isn’t getting quality proteins from this diet even though the manufacturers lead you to believe that it contains loads of proteins.
Lastly, for the price, we would have expected a little more selectiveness in picking out the ingredients for this food. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case here. Sadly.
