Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
OptimPlus product range is made up of 10 recipes with ratings varying from 3 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4 stars.
Pros
- Affordable
- Protein-rich recipes
- Ease of ordering
Cons
- Contains plant-based fillers
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| OptimPlus Adult Healthy Digestion Turkey Loaf | 4 | M |
| OptimPlus Grain Free Adult Healthy Digestion Chicken and Salmon Loaf | 4.5 | M |
| OptimPlus Adult Chicken Loaf | 4.5 | M |
| OptimPlus Grain Free Adult Lamb Loaf | 4 | M |
| OptimPlus Grain Free Adult Weight Management Chicken Loaf | 5 | M |
| OptimPlus Adult Hip and Joint Support Chicken Loaf | 4 | M |
| OptimPlus Grain Free Adult Beef Loaf | 4.5 | M |
| OptimPlus Puppy Chicken Loaf | 4 | G/M |
| OptimPlus Adult Healthy Skin and Coat Turkey Loaf | 4 | M |
| OptimPlus Grain Free Adult Healthy Skin and Coat Turkey Loaf | 3 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
OptimPlus Grain Free Adult Weight Management Chicken Loaf was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
OptimPlus Grain Free Adult Weight Management Chicken Loaf
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken broth, chicken, animal liver, fish, carrots, chicken meal, potato protein, ground dried peas, dried plain beet pulp, sweet potato, turkey, powdered cellulose, pea fiber, pea protein, flaxseed meal, guar gum, dried egg product, cranberries, carrageenan, pumpkin, blueberries, inulin, potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, yucca schidigera extract, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, iron proteinate, l-carnitine, thiamine mononitrate, cobalt proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, niacin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, potassium iodide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 11% | 4% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 50% | 16% | 26% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 44% | 34% | 23% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common component in many wet products.
The second ingredient is 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 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The third ingredient is animal liver. Normally, liver can be considered a quality component. However, in this case, the source of the liver is not identified. For this reason, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this item.
The fourth ingredient is fish. This item is typically sourced from clean, undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations.2
Without more detailed information, it’s difficult to judge the quality of this particular ingredient
In any case, fish meat is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The fifth ingredient is carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The sixth ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The seventh ingredient is potato protein, the dry residue remaining after removing the starchy part of a potato.
Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label – a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The eighth ingredient is dried peas. Dried peas are a good source of carbohydrates. Plus they’re naturally rich in dietary fiber.
However, dried peas contain about 27% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
The ninth ingredient is beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.
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 the product.
This recipe has three notable exceptions.
Firstly, this recipe contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
Next, flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
In addition, this food includes chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, OptimPlus Grain Free Adult Weight Management Chicken Loaf looks like an above-average, wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 50%, a fat level of 16% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 26%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 39% and a mean fat level of 24%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 28% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 63%.
This means this OptimPlus Canned range contains near-average protein, near-average carbohydrate, and near-average fat, when compared to typical wet dog food.
OptimPlus Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to OptimPlus through November 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of OptimPlus Dog Food
OptimPlus wet recipes are formulated with a good level of proteins and a great source of hydration. They meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles for adult and senior dog maintenance.
Compare OptimPlus Dog Food
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A Final Word
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