The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food is a dog food made for diabetic dogs. And today, our aim is to give you a most extensive review of the product to help you make a decision on whether or not this is a product you want to get your dog.
We know that diabetes is one challenge that many dog parents face with their dogs especially with the kind of diet we give our dogs these days. Purina offers a solution by the way of its Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food.
As usual, this diabetic diet is a prescription diet. So, you’d require a vet authorization to be able to make a purchase of this product.
According to Purina, this food is low in fat and calories. However, it comes packed with high protein which help to keep your dog’s lean body mass. This helps your dog manage his weight issues while remaining sufficiently nourished.
If you need some other tips on how to manage diabetes in your dog, you might want to click here to read our article on diabetic dog food. It contains everything you need to know about diabetes management in dogs.
Table of Contents
Who Is The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Select Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
Food For?
The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food is made for dogs struggling with diabetes. If your dog currently has “the sugar,” you’ve probably been prescribed a diabetic dog diet, this product from Purina is one of such.
Also, this is a diet that might get prescribed to you if your dog is overweight or obese. As you know, obesity can easily lead to diabetes not to mention other conditions that are associated with heavy body mass such as joint disease and a shortened life span.
And it’s not just for dogs with obesity and diabetes, this food can also cater to dogs with constipation, fiber responsive colitis, and hyperlipidemia.
Purina has kept this diet low in fat and calories so that your dog can shed some weight. But there’s a high level of protein so that they can keep their lean body mass as well.
Now, this is a prescription diet, so you’re going to need a vet’s authorization to be able to buy this product either online or from a brick and mortar store.
Please, also keep in mind that this is a product for adult dogs only. However, it can be fed to dogs of any breed size from small to medium to large.
Ingredients In The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
Ground Yellow Corn
The corn debate is not a new one and so many have been on this debate for such a long time. According to what the experts say, corn is not digestible by dogs when raw. However, of what use is yellow corn when processed or cooked?
Well, according to scientists, corn is not a great ingredient to be included in a dog’s diet. And, in fact, only cheaper dog foods list ground yellow corn as a first ingredient.
The truth? Corn is more of a filler than a nutritious additive. It’s not that corn is completely devoid of nutrients. However, for instance, its protein levels is only about 8%.
Now, here’s another issue, “yellow corn” is not a standard descriptive term according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Corn must either be described as corn gluten, corn gluten meal, or corn bran.
Besides that, another small problem is that this corn is processed and processed corn is known to cause a lot of food allergies in dogs including skin infections and gastrointestinal issues.
But here’s the good thing about corn. It provides carbohydrates with a protein-sparing effect. This means that the carbohydrate provided by corn causes the body to only use carbs for its energy needs rather than use up protein.
This means that your dog keeps their muscle mass rather than lose it in order to keep the body running.
Soybean Meal, Soybean Germ Meal
So soybean meal, good or nah? Well, in dog food, soy and soybean meal are used as a replacement for animal protein (not the best idea). Another form of soy found in dog food is soybean oil but back to the point.
Soybeans are known to be highly nutritious, providing dogs with the needed amino acids, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, phosphorus, omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids.
Combined with grains, soy provides the body balanced amino acid levels. The fatty acids they come with also help to keep skin, coat, and fur healthy and shiny.
Now, here’s one impressive thing about soy.
It has been discovered by scientists to contain isoflavones which increase energy levels while reducing the accumulation of fat. Soy-based diets make dogs display more energy while reducing their chances of getting obese.
A big problem with soy though is that it is known to cause food allergies in dogs. Some of those symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, hair loss on the back, belly, and tail, severe ear infections, excessive licking and scratching, etc.
This is the reason many experts are understandably worried about including soy in dog diet.
So, please do watch out for these symptoms and schedule a vet visit if you notice any of them after your dog begins this diet.
Soybean Hulls
So scientists say soybean hulls are a cheap filler added to bulk up the food. It’s mostly added to pet foods where the aim is to reduce calories. Soybean hulls provide the diet with fiber which fills up the consumer and keeps them satisfied for longer.
But there’s a small problem with soybean hulls. Soybean hulls are actually more like waste products as they are just skins of soybeans.
They are leftovers from the processing of soybeans either into soybean meal or soybean oil. So, obviously, there’s very little nutritional value, if any, that soybean hulls offer your dog.
In fact, some scientists say that it could be problematic.
And don’t forget that there’s still the challenge with genetically modified soybeans and how it affects dogs and their normal function.
Soy Flour
Because of the ubiquity of genetically modified soy, soy flour is a potentially dangerous additive to any dog food. These genetically modified soy retain pesticides which are known to actually damage or even destroy the thyroid. It’s an ingredient to be wary of.
Poultry By-Product Meal
The Association of Animal Feed Control Officials defines poultry by-product meal as “the ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered poultry such as necks, heads, feet, undeveloped eggs, gizzards and intestines (provided their content is removed), exclusive of feathers (except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices.
Poultry by-product meal contains a super important source of animal protein in any dog diet. In addition to meat and bone meal, fish meal, feather meal, and blood meal, poultry by-product meal makes a rich source of essential amino acids in dogs.
When it comes to the nutrient content of poultry by-product meal, it’s mostly dependent on a number of factors including what exactly is being processed. But, generally, it is highly nutritious packing high amounts of essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.
Besides that, poultry by-product meal is highly palatable.
Pea Fiber
There is no official definition of pea fiber according to the AAFCO but in recent times, we have seen a hike in the use of pea fiber in dog (and pet) food.
The problem with this is that there is no standardization which means that you can’t hold any one person to any standard. That’s worrisome.
In terms of performance, pea fiber falls into the same category as most of its peers. The only difference is that the gas it produces isn’t quite as much as that of other vegetable fibers.
In nutritional content, pea fiber has very little fat but quite a high concentration (35 to 40%) of crude fiber. This is one of the reasons it is commonly used in foods for overweight dogs.
As for protein, pea fiber packs only little which is even plant protein and is not very necessary for dogs since they require more of animal protein. It does contain some tryptophan and lysine though.
Animal Digest
Animal digest is not as disgusting as it seems. Digest here just refers to a process that’s very similar to actual digestion in the body. By this means, animal proteins are broken down into peptides which are then made into paste or powder.
Animal digest is quite tasty, making foods more palatable and supplying the body with needed proteins.
Powdered Cellulose
Cellulose is obtained from pine trees and then processed in a pulping ill before it is added to dog foods. Not many agree with the inclusion of cellulose in dog food for many reasons including the fact that it is processed in the same place as paper.
Usually, powdered cellulose is added as a means to bulk up food making it a popular filler in the industry. The only good thing about powdered cellulose is the fact that it does not contain calories. Besides that, it really has no nutritional value.
What’s worse is that, from research, powdered cellulose has been known to affect digestion and the absorption of minerals in dogs. It could also cause frequent, large stooling when consumed in excess.
Animal Fat Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols (Form of Vitamin E)
The fact that the animal in question is unnamed is an obvious red flag. Animal fat is good in that it supplies the body with good fatty acids which are great for your dog’s skin, coat, and even some vital organs like the heart and brain. They are also great for releasing energy as well.
But being unnamed, you can only wonder from where exactly this animal fat was sourced. This is a little worrying.
Glycerin
A by-product of soap making, glycerin functions as both a sweetener and a binder in dog foods. There are three primary reasons pet food makers use glycerin in their foods.
The first is to bind a canned meal so that it is chewy.
Another reason is to play the role of a preservative to prevent the growth of mold.
And lastly, glycerin works as a sweetener as well.
There isn’t much of a nutritional benefit of glycerin to your dog. But, generally, it is considered safe for consumption.
The problem comes when some pet food makers make get their own glycerin as a by-product of biofuel processing. In such cases, the glycerin would contain residual sodium and methanol, two things you don’t want to feed your dog.
Experts advise that you only stick to foods that explicitly state that the glycerin is vegetable glycerin to avoid the methanol risk. Sadly, Purina simply states “glycerin” here so there’s no way to know from where it was obtained.
Chicken
Chicken is a great source of protein and fatty acids in dogs. It is highly palatable as well which is another reason it is commonly used in dog food.
Now, this widespread use also means that more dogs are allergic to chicken than other animal protein sources. Purina mentions that this product contains tender morsels with real chicken so it’s a product to avoid if your pet is allergic to chicken.
Tricalcium Phosphate
This mineral salt is usually included in dog food to provide the body with calcium and phosphorus needed for strong bones and teeth.
Although not used in many pet foods, tricalcium phosphate is safe for consumption in dogs. Its supply of phosphorus also helps to maintain the acid/alkaline balance in the body.
Malted Barley Flour
The malting process of barley, which involves sprouting before roasting makes barley easier to digest in dogs a well as in people. In malting, the sprouted grains go through a process of oven-drying which releases a mixture of flavors and sugars which give malted grains their rich, complex aroma which dogs love.
So, is malted barley good for dogs?
Well, it would appear so. From what we found, malted barley flour supplies the body with a decent amount of minerals, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, as well as other more fragile nutrients.
Corn Gluten Meal
Corn gluten is a protein-rich ingredient that, surprisingly, lacks gluten. On its own, corn gluten is great. However, there have been cases where dogs developed allergies to corn gluten meal after taking it for a while. This should be avoided if said dog has a known allergy to corn.
Pros Of The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Select Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
1. This formula aids the management of obesity in dogs and dogs have actually shown a drop in weight while on this diet.
2. The recipe is also high in protein which helps your dog to maintain lean body mass while dropping off the excess fat.
3. Food is quite palatable and dogs seem to enjoy it a lot.
Cons Of The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Select Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
- Contains corn which many dogs are allergic to.
- Soy as an ingredient in this formula is a little worrisome especially due to the ubiquity of genetically modified soy which has devastating health effects on the health of dogs.
Alternatives To The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Select Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
Canned Food Variety – The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Canned Dog Food
Also an overweight management diet, the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Canine Formula is also great for obese or diabetic dogs. It is a canned food formula and comes in a case of 12 13.3 ounce cans.
A Different Dry Food Variety – The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
This is a different dry, diabetic dog food variety from Purina. It’s not the select blend variety but is slightly less expensive.
Different Brand Maybe? – The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Glycobalance Formula Dry Dog Food
This is a more affordable variety although the size here is smaller.
Quick Comparison Table
| Featured Product | Canned Food Variety | Different Dry Dog Food Variety | Different Brand | |
| Product |
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Select Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
|
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Canned Dog Food
|
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
|
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Glycobalance Formula Dry Dog Food
|
| Ingredients | Ground Yellow Corn, Soybean Meal, 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. | 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). | Chicken Meal, Barley, Corn Gluten Meal, Powdered Cellulose, Wheat Gluten, Tapioca, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavors, Fish Oil, Psyllium Seed Husk, Potassium Chloride. |
| Kibble/Canned | Kibble | Canned | Kibble | Kibble |
| Size | 6-pound, 18-pound, and 32-pound bags. | Case of 12 13.3-Ounce cans | 6-pound, 18-pound, and 32-pound bags. | 7.7-pound, 17.6-pound bags |
| Best For | Prescription Diet for managing diabetes, weight control, obesity, constipation, hyperlipidemia, fiber responsive colitis.
Suitable for adult dogs of any breed size. |
Prescription Diet for managing diabetes, weight control, obesity, constipation, hyperlipidemia, fiber responsive colitis.
Suitable for adult dogs of any breed size. |
Prescription Diet for managing diabetes, weight control, obesity, constipation, hyperlipidemia, fiber responsive colitis.
Suitable for adult dogs of any breed size. |
Low Glycemic, Prescription diet great for managing diabetes and weight control. Also great for sensitive digestion with symptoms like diarrhea and constipation.
For adult dogs of any breed size. |
What Customers Are Saying About The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Select Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food
There’s obviously something about the flavor of this recipe because many dogs love the taste of the food. You could hardly find any dog who didn’t like the taste of the formula to begin with.
For the effectiveness of the product, it does seem to be doing its job. Dogs on this recipe did slim down quite a bit.
Now, the main challenge many customers seemed to have with this product was the cost of the product. It is pretty expensive and, therefore, might turn some customers off. But we guess it works and that’s some consolation.
Conclusion
To us, the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Select Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food is just an okay product. For the price of the product, we think Purina should have been more selective about the kind of ingredients used in the recipe. Seeing a lot of soy and the likes isn’t exactly comforting.