Iams Dog Food Rating

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Iams is one of the oldest and most popular brands of dog and cat food on the market that aims to provide healthy foods for your pets by ensuring that each batch of food is high in quality and nutrition. The Iams pet food companies’ belief is that advanced nutrition in the industry leads to innovation and improvement of the quality of pet food worldwide.

This brand was founded by Paul Iams in 1946 and has since expanded its brand. Paul Iams was an animal nutritionist who had a goal in mind to create pellet-based dog food that contained animal-based protein making this brand one of the first to create a carnivorous diet for dogs. In 1969, Iams then released a new range of products under the name Eukanuba, and the company was then sold to Mars Inc. in 2014.

As pet lovers, it is important to understand the different pros and cons along with any other necessary information about a certain brand before you decide to feed their products to your dog, which is why we have carefully researched the Iams pet food brand so that you can get more insight as to what the brand stands for and the quality of the products they produce.

Iams pet foods sell a wide range of different products and include an all-natural line of products, along with dog foods for all life stages (puppy/kitten, adult, senior), and veterinarian-based recipes. Most Iams dog foods are protein-based, however, they also use a lot of by-products and fillers such as corn in their ingredients.

The Healthy Naturals line from this brand seems to offer the highest quality nutrition out of the dog foods this brand sells when it comes to the benefits of the ingredients and nutrition. Over time after Iams had established their protein-based dog foods, they then extended their range to cats as well. Iams has a variety of different dog and cat foods which each have specific ingredients to target specific health conditions your dog or cat may have.

Related products

Iams Proactive Health Mature Adult Dry Dog Food

Iams Dog Food Rating

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

This kibble addresses the senior dogs needs by keeping their weight in check, providing plenty of protein, and keeping their joints and tummies happy and healthy.

Aging doesnt treat canines kindly, despite our best efforts. Finding the right food for a mature pooch is a sure way to stretch out his life expectancy and keep him healthy. Iams formula comes packed with protein, necessary to support muscle tone even with the decreasing activity level. And the minimal fat content, along with L-carnitine, keeps the dog in perfect shape. Finally, fiber and prebiotics ensure healthy digestion, though the whole grain corn, barley, and sorghum may cause allergic reactions. Expect bloating and some gassiness, even if your old boy or gal is used to grain-inclusive kibble.

Theres no accounting for taste, and picky eaters can turn their noses up even on the most expensive kibble. Any new food will require an adjustment period. However, if your pup is on the small side, kibble pieces might be just a tad too big for comfortable chewing. If youre unsure, start with the smallest 7-pound bag. Its only $12 (or less if you find a discount coupon).

KEY FEATURES:

  • Calories: 350 kcal/cup
  • Crude protein: 24% min
  • Crude fat: 10.5% min
  • Crude fiber: 5% max
  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum
  • SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Type: Dry food
  • Breed size: All breeds
  • Life Stage: Mature
  • Weight: 7, 15, 29.1 lb bags
  • WHAT WE LOVED:

  • Farm-raised chicken is the first ingredient
  • Low fat content to keep weight in check
  • Fiber and prebiotics promote healthy digestion
  • Infused with antioxidants for strong immunity
  • WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE:

  • Kibble pieces may be too large for small breeds
  • Picky eaters will be picky
  • Iams Dog Food Rating

    WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

    Iams most popular recipe is beloved by pet owners and canines alike for its delicious flavor, high protein content, and plenty of health goodies, like L-carnitine and Omega fatty acids.

    This formula is a best-seller among Iams small breed dog food for good reason, though medium and large dogs fall in love with Minichunks just as quickly. The recipe includes the same basic building blocks as most Iams products, but the bite-sized pieces make it more palatable for most pooches. And the combination of chicken and egg protein along with grain-powered carbs keeps the canines energetic and lean without inducing unfortunate weight gain.

    The Omega 3 and 6 will keep your pups fur luxuriously soft and gleaming, and the skin sensitivity issues will stay in the past. Prebiotics and fiber should keep the digestive issues at bay, though bloating and gas could occur within the first couple of weeks after the kibble switch.

    The only point of contention is kibble size. Minichunks arent actually microscopic, and they dont fit the toy and extra small breeds mouths. Small and medium breeds love this Iams dry dog food, though theres no guarantee it will entice a picky eater.

    KEY FEATURES:

  • Calories: 380 kcal/cup
  • Crude protein: 25% min
  • Crude fat: 14% min
  • Crude fiber: 4% max
  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal, Dried Beet Pulp
  • SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Type: Dry food
  • Breed size: Small breeds
  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Weight: 3.3, 7, 15, 30, 38.5, 40, 50 lb bags
  • WHAT WE LOVED:

  • Protein-rich formula with chicken and eggs
  • Lustrous coat and clear skin thanks to Omega fatty acids
  • Digestion-enhancing prebiotics and fiber
  • Comfortable kibble size for small breeds
  • WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE:

  • Kibble pieces are too large for extra small and toy breeds
  • Picky eaters may ignore this formula
  • Iams ProActive Health Adult Minichunks with Lamb & Rice

    Iams Dog Food Rating

    WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

    Lamb-first recipe is chock-full of protein, along with vitamins, minerals, and Omega 3 & 6, making it a delicious, exciting, and healthy alternative to boring old chicken kibble.

    This time, Iams dog food nutritional information is to die for. Farm-raised lamb is the first on the ingredients list, closely followed by other healthy protein sources and whole grains. The combination of delicious flavors and healthy supplements, like L-carnitine and Omega fatty acids, makes this recipe an instant hit with pets and their parents. Even the presence of barley, corn, and sorghum isnt enough to deter most canine lovers. And according to reviews, most dogs have zero digestive issues and allergic reactions when it comes to this kibble.

    The only recurring complaint is kibble size. The name suggests its best suited for small and medium breeds, but the label promises the food to fit all dogs. In reality, the pieces of Iams Lamb & Rice dog food are too small for large breeds and too big for toy and extra small furballs. The Minichunks are the size of a green pea, so think carefully if thats the right kibble format for your dog before you buy a 30-pound bag.

    KEY FEATURES:

  • Calories: 382 kcal/cup
  • Crude protein: 25% min
  • Crude fat: 14% min
  • Crude fiber: 5% max
  • First 5 ingredients: Lamb, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum
  • SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Type: Dry food
  • Breed size: All breeds
  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Weight: 3.3, 7, 15, 30, 38.5 lb bags
  • WHAT WE LOVED:

  • Farm-raised lamb is No1 ingredient
  • High protein and fat content
  • Includes Omega fatty acids for healthy fur and skin
  • No artificial preservatives or flavors
  • WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE:

    Iams ProActive Health Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

    Iams Dog Food Rating

    WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

    This kibble has everything your cuddly giant needs to protect his bones and joints while keeping weight gain in check and providing energy for your daily walks and energetic games.

    Iams mastered the art of balancing the dogs diet ages ago and now provides an ideal combination of nutritional value and delicious flavor for your pooch. The classic chicken formula is enhanced with eggs, veggies, and flaxseed to provide building blocks for muscles and keep the coat shiny and lustrous.

    The grains are present in every Iams large breed dog food, so theres no going around this. While whole grain corn and wheat provide energy-dense carbs and digestion-improving fiber, some consider them fillers with little to no nutritional value for dogs. While its up to you and the vet to choose between grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes, some reviewers note this kibble causing digestive issues, like gas and bloating which could be caused by grains.

    Despite the recipe controversy, this product comes highly recommended by large dog owners, some of whom have been using Iams for over a decade. You should start with a 15-pound bag if you want to give it a try. The smallest package is only around $20 on Amazon or Chewy.

    KEY FEATURES:

  • Calories: 353 kcal/cup
  • Crude protein: 22.5% min
  • Crude fat: 12.5% min
  • Crude fiber: 5% max
  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal
  • SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Type: Dry food
  • Breed size: Large and giant breeds
  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Weight: 15, 30, 38.5, 40 lb bags
  • WHAT WE LOVED:

  • Animal protein from chicken and egg
  • Naturally occurring glucosamine and chondroitin
  • L-carnitine controls weight gain
  • No artificial flavors and preservatives
  • WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE:

  • May cause bloating and gas in some dogs
  • Some picky eaters avoid this kibble
  • FAQ

    Is IAMS food good for dogs?

    Healthy. One of the most well-known options, Iams’ nutrient profile is pretty good when it comes to dog nutrition. The ingredients vary based on the kind of Iams that you purchase, but they tend to contain real meat and grain ingredients. SO THERE YOU HAVE IT!

    Is IAMS low quality?

    Rating: Iams ProActive Health Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4 stars.

    Is IAMS better than Purina?

    Bottom Line. Overall, Iams seems to be good pet food for its affordability, even if they do produce average-quality pet foods that are slightly high in by-products and fillers.