When considering the best nutrition for your feline companion, the choices can be overwhelming. Iams, a brand with a long history in the pet food industry, claims to offer “nutrition that’s tailored to bring out their unique best.” But does Iams cat food truly deliver on this promise, and is it a healthy, high-quality option for your cat? This comprehensive review delves into the specifics of Iams cat food, examining its ingredients, product variety, pricing, customer feedback, and history of recalls to help you make an informed decision.
Iams cat food is currently owned by Mars, Inc., a global leader in pet care. While the European branch operates under Spectrum Brands, the majority of Iams products fall under the Mars umbrella, which also owns other popular pet food brands like Royal Canin and Whiskas. Founded in 1946 by Paul Iams, the brand initially focused on dog food, introducing the first dry dog food primarily made from animal-based protein in 1950. The expansion into cat food followed, and the brand has since undergone ownership changes, including a period with Procter & Gamble before its acquisition by Mars in 2014.
Cats.com Standard: Rating Iams Cat Food
At Cats.com, we evaluate pet food brands based on several key criteria to provide a holistic view. Iams has been assessed for species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history.
- Species-Appropriateness: 5/10 – While Iams offers both wet and dry food options, some formulations may not be ideal for a cat’s carnivorous needs.
- Ingredient Quality: 5/10 – The ingredient lists often feature grains and by-products, with some recipes containing artificial colors.
- Product Variety: 6/10 – Iams provides a decent range of products, including dry food lines and several wet food options like Purrfect Delights and Perfect Portions.
- Price: 4/10 – While not the most expensive, Iams is priced in the mid-to-premium range, which some consumers may find high considering the ingredient quality.
- Customer Experience: 7/10 – Generally, customers report positive experiences, with many cats enjoying the taste and showing good coat health. However, there are also negative reviews related to specific health issues.
- Recall History: 4/10 – Iams has a history of several recalls, which raises concerns about their quality control and safety protocols.
Overall Score: 5.1/10 (D Grade)
Sourcing and Manufacturing
Most Iams cat food is manufactured in the United States, with facilities located in Ohio, Nebraska, and North Carolina. The European division has a manufacturing plant in the Netherlands. Iams states that its food safety program adheres to strict standards, often exceeding those set by the FDA and USDA. While the company emphasizes its commitment to ethical sourcing through Mars’ Responsible Sourcing program and Supplier Code of Conduct, they do not publicly disclose the specific origins of their ingredients.
Recalls and Safety Concerns
Iams has experienced multiple recalls throughout its history. Notable recalls include:
- 2013: Recalls for dog treats due to potential mold growth and dog food due to potential salmonella contamination.
- 2010: Recalls for canned cat and kitten food due to low thiamine levels and a lot of Feline Renal formula due to potential salmonella contamination.
- 2007: A broad recall affecting both cat and dog food due to potential melamine contamination, linked to ingredients sourced from China.
These recalls, while not all recent, highlight past issues with quality control and product safety that potential buyers should consider.
Iams Cat Food Product Lines and Recipes
Iams categorizes its cat food based on life stages and specific needs, such as indoor cats or adult maintenance.
Dry Cat Food
The primary dry cat food line is Iams ProActive Health. Within this line, popular options include:
Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food: Formulated for indoor cats to help manage weight and reduce hairballs. It features chicken and chicken by-product meal as primary protein sources, along with grains like corn and sorghum. It also contains dried beet pulp and powdered cellulose for fiber. However, the presence of caramel color, which may contain potentially carcinogenic contaminants, is a downside.
- Key Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Grits, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum.
- Concerns: High carbohydrate content, use of animal by-products, and caramel color.
Iams ProActive Health Healthy Adult Original with Chicken Dry Cat Food: This is an adult maintenance formula with chicken and chicken by-product meal as the main ingredients, followed by corn-based components. It includes animal fats like chicken fat and fish oil, intended to support skin and coat health. Like the hairball formula, it has a high carbohydrate content and contains caramel color.
- Key Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Corn Grits, Corn Gluten Meal.
- Concerns: High carbohydrate content and caramel color.
Wet Cat Food
Iams offers wet cat food under three lines: Purrfect Delights, Purrfect Delicacies, and Perfect Portions.
- Iams Perfect Portions Indoor Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Cat Food: This wet food features flaked chicken in a savory sauce thickened with modified tapioca starch and guar gum. It includes fish oil for omega-3 fatty acids. While it boasts high protein content, the use of thickeners and caramel color are noted drawbacks.
- Key Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Meat By-Products.
- Concerns: Use of tapioca starch and caramel color.
Customer Reception and Pricing
Customer reviews for Iams cat food are generally mixed but lean towards positive, with many owners reporting that their cats enjoy the taste and exhibit good energy levels and coat condition. Some long-term users credit Iams with their cats’ longevity.
However, negative reviews highlight concerns about increased hairball issues with specific formulas and suspicions linking the food to health problems like thyroid issues in cats, potentially due to a lack of essential nutrients like selenium. A significant ethical concern arose from an undercover investigation by PETA into the Sinclair Research Center, a contract laboratory for Iams, leading to public boycotts and Iams eventually severing ties with the facility.
In terms of cost, Iams dry food typically ranges around $0.45 per day for a 10-lb cat. Wet food options vary, with standard cans costing approximately $2.62 per day and the Perfect Portions line being more expensive at around $3.76 daily. While Iams is competitively priced against mid-tier brands, the ingredient quality may not always justify the cost compared to other brands in a similar price bracket.
Conclusion: Is Iams Cat Food a Recommended Choice?
While Iams has a substantial presence in the market and is enjoyed by many cats, it is not a brand that Cats.com would enthusiastically recommend. The historical recall incidents suggest potential weaknesses in quality control. Furthermore, the ingredient lists often include high levels of carbohydrates, grains, and by-products, along with artificial coloring in some products. These factors, combined with a price point that competes with higher-quality options, make Iams a less-than-ideal choice for owners prioritizing optimal feline nutrition. For those seeking Iams, it’s widely available in major pet stores, supermarkets, and online retailers such as Chewy and Amazon.
