Is Iams Dog Food Healthy

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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.

Is IAMS Food Good for Dogs?

Yes, IAMS Dog Food is good.

Iams uses whole foods and carefully selected ingredients to make nutrient-dense recipes for dogs of all life stages. The formulas are loaded with health-boosting and natural ingredients. They come free from artificial preservatives and additives. Plus, they are high-protein and delicious.

To help you choose the best IAMS recipe for your dog, we have conducted an in-depth review of the most popular IAMS dog food formulas you can easily find on Amazon and Chewy.

Summary: A dry kibble filled with the goodness of premium chicken for your dog’s daily meals. This formula is free of any fillers, additives, or artificial flavors. This recipe contains essential vitamins and folic acid to keep your dog healthy. It is also boosted by the goodness of carrots and rosemary extract. Ingredients like flaxseed and beet pulp improve the digestive health of your dog.

Type: Dry dog food

Best for: Adult dogs

Flavor Options: Chicken

Pros

  • High protein formula with lean protein (chicken)
  • Fortified with superfoods like carrots
  • Rich in amino acids and fatty acids
  • Dried beet pulp and flaxseeds for prebiotics
  • Calcium for healthy bones and body function
  • Cons

  • Chicken fat and chicken by-products (low nutritional value)
  • Ingredient Analysis

  • Great Ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, plain beet pulp, flaxseeds, carrot, dried egg product, ascorbic acid, potassium, calcium, vitamin D3, fructooligosaccharides, rosemary extract
  • Not-so-Great Ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, chicken fat
  • Review: Based on 20,394 reviews, this product has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Dog owners state that this flavorful formula keeps their dogs healthy.

    Summary: A dry kibble formula tailored especially for the needs of senior dogs and large breed dogs. Contains multiple probiotics to aid in digestion. DHA helps them retain their physical and mental sharpness with age, and vitamins and beta-carotene boost their immune strength. Calcium derivatives strengthen their teeth and joints.

    Type: Dry dog food

    Best for: Senior dogs

    Flavor Options: Chicken

    Pros

  • Farm-raised chicken for protein
  • Maintains bone, joint & teeth health
  • Provides digestive support
  • Boosts cognitive health
  • Improves immune strength
  • Cons

  • Contains chicken by-products that have no nutritional value
  • Ingredient Analysis

  • Great Ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain barley, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grains sorghum, brewers yeast, dried egg product, carrots, marine microalgae, beta-carotene, vitamins, and minerals
  • Not-so-Great Ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, chicken fat
  • Review: Based on 1486 global ratings, this recipe has a 4.7 out of 5. Customers state that they have seen noticeable differences in their dog’s health after switching to this food.

    Summary: This is a special chicken-flavored formula tailored for large breeds to maintain their ideal weight. This formula has 17% less fat content than other dog food formulas. This recipe contains brewer’s yeast that helps to naturally flush out toxins effectively from your dog’s gut. Contains L-Carnitine, boosts metabolism in adult dogs, and helps them burn calories faster.

    Type: Dry dog food

    Best for: Large breed adult dogs

    Flavor Options: Chicken

    Pros

  • Formulated with fresh farm chicken, which is a lean protein
  • Boosts metabolism and helps burn fat
  • With vitamins and mineral supplements
  • Contains superfoods like carrots and beet pulp
  • Low-fat formula for healthy weight control
  • Cons

  • Often out of stock on online retailers
  • Ingredient Analysis

  • Great Ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain barley, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grains sorghum, carrots, beet pulp, brewers yeast, L-carnitine, DL-methionine, dried egg product, fructooligosaccharides, rosemary extract, vitamins, and minerals
  • Not-so-Great Ingredients: Chicken by-product meal
  • Review: Based on 4217 global ratings, this formula has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers claim that it is very effective for weight control and their dogs love the flavor.

    Summary: A complete care recipe for your small breed dog. The small crunchy pellets gently scrub your dog’s teeth as they chew on them, maintaining their oral health. This dog treats formula is boosted with omega-6 fatty acids, giving your dog a shiny coat and skin. Chicken and egg products strengthen their muscles, and the probiotic blend helps digestion.

    Type: Dry dog food

    Best for: Small breed adult dogs

    Flavor Options: Chicken

    Pros

  • Boosts digestion and oral health
  • Promotes healthy skin and coat
  • Improves muscle strength
  • With vitamin B1, vitamin B2 & vitamin B6
  • Small kibble fit for small breed dogs
  • Cons

  • Chicken by-products as the second ingredient
  • Ingredient Analysis

  • Great Ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, dried plain beet pulp, brewers dried yeast, dried egg product, flaxseed, vitamins, and minerals
  • Not-so-Great ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, chicken fat
  • Review: Based on 7,323 reviews from customers, this food has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Pet owners claim that this is a high-quality food that really makes a difference in their large dog’s health.

    Summary: This food formula is specially formulated for digestive health in dogs of all breeds. Contains HMP that ensures oral health and prevents the buildup of tar on your dog’s teeth. This recipe is boosted with probiotic strains that improve gut health and overall digestion. This formula is further enriched with whole grains like sorghum and barley that provide healthy nutrition.

    Type: Dry dog food

    Best for: Adult dogs

    Flavor Options: Chicken

    Pros

  • Improves oral health with HMP
  • Contains nutrient-rich whole grains
  • Boosts digestion and gut health with probiotic strains
  • Omega fatty acids for healthy coat and skin
  • Suitable for all breed sizes
  • Cons

    Ingredient Analysis

  • Great Ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, ground whole grain barley, carrots, dried plain beet pulp, flaxseeds, dried egg product, DL-methionine, vitamins, and minerals
  • Not-so-Great Ingredients: Preservatives and chicken by-products
  • Review: Based on 76 customer reviews, this food formula has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5. Customers state that it’s a value-for-money food that their dogs love.

    Summary: A premium quality delectable pate meal for your dog’s delicious meal times. This wet food formula is enriched with the goodness of real chicken pate. The gravy contains essential nutrients and whole grains that boost your dog’s energy levels and make them proactive. This recipe is enriched with the goodness of healthy whole grains that nourish your dog from the inside.

    Type: Wet dog food

    Best for: Dogs of all life stages

    Flavor Options: Chicken & Rice Recipe; Beef & Rice Recipe; Lamb & Rice Recipe

    Pros

  • Features healthy whole grains
  • Formulated with farm-fresh protein sources
  • Boosts immune system and energy levels
  • Hydrating and tasty gravy formula
  • Wet food formula in three different flavors
  • Cons

    Ingredient Analysis

  • Great Ingredients: Chicken, brown rice, animal liver, fish oil, flaxseeds, vitamins, and minerals
  • Not-so-Great Ingredients: Xanthan gum, meat by-products
  • Review: Based on 4608 customer reviews, this bag of IAMS has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Pet parents highly recommend it for dogs with sensitive stomachs as well.

    What Are IAMS Dog Foods Made Of?

    The number one ingredient in most IAMS dog food recipes is chicken. Chicken is followed by corn and sorghum as leading ingredients in IAMS dog food. Another ingredient worth knowing is the inclusion of caramel coloring in IAMS dog food.

    While IAMS creates several types of dog food, we will look at IAMS’s commonly purchased Proactive Health line of kibble for the remainder of this article.

    This kibble does a good job of representing IAMS as a whole in regards to food makeup and nutritional value.

    Is IAMS Harmful For Dogs?

    Short of a recall event, IAMS is not significantly harmful or toxic to dogs. IAMS dog food is used by many pet owners throughout their dogs’ lives. Feeding IAMS is not likely to cause your dog specific health issues, but it may increase allergy sensitivities in some dogs, be hard for some dogs to digest (due to the presence of corn), and does contain artificial coloring that has some speculated risks for a pet’s long term health.

    IAMS will meet a dog’s baseline nutritional needs but may leave gaps in a truly well-balanced diet and full nutritional profile.

    It is higher in protein than several other discount brands of food but you could argue that it doesn’t have the same level of healthy proteins and fats that true 5-star dog food brands have.

    IAMS is good for owners who have limited access to other food brand options, who may need to be feeding many dogs affordably (such as in a shelter setting), or that need wet canned food at an affordable price.

    For owners who want a dog food that is less likely to experience recalls, is made from ingredients that are safe not only for dogs but also for humans, lowers the risk of allergies, and is high in healthy fats and proteins, there may be more suitable options available.

    FAQ

    Is Iams dog food good for them?

    While Iams is not the worst cat food available on the market, it can be categorized as mid-grade, not the worst but a far cry from the best. There are many better foods with no meat by-products and no fillers. More and more pet owners and nutritionists say proper foods are the key to a cat’s health and longevity.

    What is the unhealthiest dog food?

    The 10 Best Healthiest Dog Food Brands
    1. The Farmer’s Dog – Best Overall. …
    2. Solid Gold Barking at the Moon High-Protein. …
    3. Nature’s Logic Sardine Meal Feast All Life Stages. …
    4. K9 Natural Beef Feast Raw Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food. …
    5. Sojos Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food.

    Is Iams good for animals?

    The 10 Best Healthiest Dog Food Brands
    1. The Farmer’s Dog – Best Overall. …
    2. Solid Gold Barking at the Moon High-Protein. …
    3. Nature’s Logic Sardine Meal Feast All Life Stages. …
    4. K9 Natural Beef Feast Raw Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food. …
    5. Sojos Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food.

    What is the most healthiest dog food for a dog?

    The 10 Best Healthiest Dog Food Brands
    1. The Farmer’s Dog – Best Overall. …
    2. Solid Gold Barking at the Moon High-Protein. …
    3. Nature’s Logic Sardine Meal Feast All Life Stages. …
    4. K9 Natural Beef Feast Raw Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food. …
    5. Sojos Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food.