Unleashing Quality: A Comprehensive Review of Iams Dog Food

The Iams pet food company was founded on the principles of quality nutrition and the belief that an emphasis on advanced nutrition might lead to innovation in the pet food industry and an improvement in quality across the board.

The Iams nutritional philosophy is based on years of dedication and research and the idea that the right diet can lead to some amazing benefits for pets – stronger immunity, lean muscle maintenance, healthy digestion, improved oral health, and a better sense of overall well being.

The Iams company was among the first pet food manufacturers to start feeding dogs as carnivores – they were also the first to develop the kind of protein-based diet that most traditional kibbles offer today.

Iams dog food offers a wide variety of different pet food products for dogs in all life stages, including a natural line of products and veterinary recipes.

Read on for our detailed Iams Dog Food Review below.

Who Makes Iams?

The Iams pet food company was founded by Paul Iams in 1946 and has since expanded into a family of brands sold worldwide. Paul Iams was a self-taught animal nutritionist who made it his goal to create the world’s first dry dog food made with animal-based protein.

In 1969, Iams released a new line of products under the name Eukanuba and, in the years that followed, the company changed hands a number of times. The company was sold to Procter & Gamble in late 1999 and then sold to Mars, Inc. in 2014.

Today, Mars, Inc. is one of the world’s largest pet food manufacturers and the sixth largest privately held company in the United States.

Iams Dog Food Review

With so many different products to choose from, it should come as no surprise to you that the quality of Iams’ dog foods vary significantly.

While most Iams dog food products include an animal-based protein as the main ingredient, this company also makes heavy use of by-products and corn-based ingredients.

The Healthy Naturals line of products appears to offer the best quality when it comes to ingredients and nutrition. Before you purchase any Iams dog food products for your dog, take a look at the ingredients list and the guaranteed analysis to determine the quality of the product.

 

1. ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks

This kibble is made to support strong, firm muscles using quality protein from chicken and egg ingredients. It also delivers balanced omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, plus seven essential nutrients for heart health and overall wellness. Added L-carnitine helps dogs burn fat and maintain a healthy body weight.

Fresh chicken is the first ingredient, but keep in mind that fresh meat contains a lot of moisture. Once cooked, much of that water is removed, which lowers the actual protein volume. Because the next ingredients are grains and the main supplemental protein comes from a chicken by-product, the true meat content ends up more modest. That said, chicken by-product meal is from a named source and, as a meal, it’s already concentrated after moisture removal.

The recipe includes a mix of grains. Corn meal may be an issue for some dogs since it’s harder to digest and can trigger sensitivities, while whole-grain sorghum is gluten-free and more digestible. Along with beet pulp and flax meal, it provides energy and fiber to support digestion.

Chicken fat supplies concentrated energy, and added vitamins and minerals round out the formula, though there are no chelated minerals or probiotics. It meets AAFCO nutrient standards for adult maintenance.

Overall, this is a decent-quality adult food with mostly solid ingredients. While cooking reduces the real volume of chicken protein and corn meal isn’t ideal for every dog, the formula still covers basic nutritional needs using generally acceptable sources.

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2. ProActive Health Adult Lamb & Rice Formula

Specially crafted for adult dogs, this dry formula is built around a protein-focused diet that starts with real lamb to support strong, lean muscles and meet a dog’s natural need for meat. Lamb adds rich flavor and is often used as a hypoallergenic alternative to beef, while also supplying protein, B vitamins, zinc, and selenium.

Lamb is followed by chicken by-product meal, which helps boost protein levels. While the name isn’t very appealing, by-product meals are highly digestible and can contribute a concentrated source of protein. Next comes brewer’s rice and whole-grain barley, which work together to provide steady energy from carbohydrates.

A highlight of this recipe is its omega-6 fatty acid content (1.75% minimum), which supports healthy skin and a shiny coat. It also includes several vitamin supplements, making it a well-rounded option for adult dogs.

That said, there are a few drawbacks. Brewer’s rice is essentially broken white rice with limited nutrition, and by-product meal quality can vary. There also appear to be more grain sources than meat. Still, the formula offers a generally balanced diet at a reasonable price point for adult pets.

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3. ProActive Health Chicken & Whole Grain Rice Pate

This chicken-in-gravy formula is made for adult dogs and slow-cooked in broth for added flavor. Water comes first, followed by chicken, which works well in canned foods since most of the moisture is retained and helps preserve the meat’s natural value.

Along with fresh chicken, the recipe uses chicken by-products and meat by-products as supplemental protein sources. While named chicken by-products are generally safe, the quality of unnamed meat by-products is harder to judge and can vary.

Carbohydrates come from carrots, cornstarch, barley, flaxseed meal, and sweet potatoes. Flaxseed adds some fat and fiber, while small amounts of broccoli and spinach contribute extra fiber. Vegetable oil is the only listed fat source and appears late in the list, so most fats likely come from the meat ingredients.

The formula includes some helpful whole-food nutrients from vegetables, but it relies heavily on synthetic vitamins and minerals, with no chelated minerals or probiotics. It meets AAFCO standards for adult maintenance.

Overall, the fresh chicken and veggies are positives, but they’re balanced out by by-products, cornstarch, added color, and lower-quality fat and fiber sources. Cornstarch in particular may trigger sensitivities in some dogs, making this a mixed-quality option rather than a standout one.

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4. Large Breed Chicken & Whole Grains Recipe

Large-breed dogs need food built for their bigger bodies and appetites, and this chicken-and–whole-grain formula is designed to meet those demands. Real farm-raised chicken leads the recipe, providing protein to help build lean muscle while staying relatively low in calories for dogs that gain weight easily.

After chicken come three grains: whole-grain barley, corn, and sorghum. These supply steady energy along with useful nutrients. Sorghum adds antioxidants and fiber, barley may help regulate blood sugar, and corn—while not ideal for sensitive dogs—can provide linoleic acid if tolerated.

Chicken by-product meal appears next, offering supplemental protein from rendered parts like organs and bones. It isn’t premium meat, but it does boost overall protein content.

The rest of the formula focuses on vitamins, minerals, fibers, and prebiotics to support joints, digestion, immunity, and overall large-breed health. The fiber and prebiotic blend is a nice touch for gut support, though the protein level at 22.5% minimum could be higher for a large-breed recipe.

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5. ProActive Health Smart Puppy Large Breed

Large-breed puppies need carefully balanced nutrition to support proper growth of bones, muscles, and joints. This puppy formula is designed to meet those higher demands so big pups can develop into healthy adults.

Fresh, farm-raised chicken leads the recipe, delivering about 27% protein to support muscle development without excess calories since chicken is naturally lean. Next is whole-grain corn, which many avoid due to allergy concerns, but for puppies without sensitivities, it provides fiber and energy in moderate amounts.

Chicken by-product meal adds extra protein support, followed by sorghum, a nutrient-rich grain that supplies B vitamins for nerve development, plus minerals and fiber for digestion and overall health. Corn gluten meal helps give the kibble its crunchy structure.

Dried beet pulp supports digestion and firm stools, while brewer’s yeast and fish oil help reduce dry skin and promote a shiny coat. The formula includes 22 key nutrients similar to those found in mother’s milk.

While the use of corn and gluten may not suit sensitive pups, this is a solid, budget-friendly option that covers most of a growing large-breed puppy’s nutritional needs.

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6. Mature Adult Chicken & Whole Grains Recipe

As dogs age, their nutritional needs shift. This senior kibble is made to support aging bones, joints, and cognitive health while keeping older pups feeling their best.

Real farm-raised chicken leads the list, followed by chicken by-product meal for added protein support, bringing total protein to about 24%. Chicken supplies glucosamine for joint health and helps maintain lean muscle without excess fat, along with omega-6 fatty acids for a healthy coat.

A trio of grains—barley, corn, and nutrient-rich sorghum—adds fiber for digestion and provides carbs, B vitamins, zinc, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Dried beet pulp follows to help firm stools, support colon health, and improve digestibility.

The formula is rounded out with added vitamins and minerals, plus DHA for brain and eye health and anti-inflammatory support. L-carnitine also helps with fat metabolism and weight control.

Overall, this is a balanced, well-designed senior recipe that supports joints, digestion and healthy aging.

Is Iams Made in the United States?

The Iams pet food brand is produced by Mars, Inc. who sells their product in more than 80 different countries. The Iams website states that their facilities exceed USDA and FDA standards, but they do not provide specific information about where those facilities are located.

Research suggests that some Iams products may be made in the USA, though this may not be true for all of them.

Where Does They Get Their Ingredients?

The Iams website provides a glossary of ingredients to help consumers understand what goes into their dog’s food.

Throughout the website, references are made to high-quality ingredients and premium proteins, though there are no details about where these ingredients come from.

Recalls History

The Iams brand states that “quality is at the core of our business” on their website, noting that they use only high-quality ingredients and that they do not cut corners. The Iams website states that the Iams company adheres to incredibly high standards for quality and safety both in the formulas they design and the ingredients they use.

Every bag of Iams pet food is subjected to more than 120 quality assurance tests before hitting pet store shelves. This being the case, you might expect to find few recalls in Iams history.

Unfortunately, the opposite is true – Iams has been affected by quite a few recalls over the past decade or so, though half of them were for cat products rather than dog products. Here are the details for recalls occurring in the last 10 years:

• In August 2013, the FDA issued a recall for certain lots of Iams dry dog foods including Healthy Naturals Weight Control Adult, Healthy Naturals Chicken Adult, Premium Protection Chicken Adult, ProActive Health Small Breed, ProActive Health Large Breed, and ProActive Health Large Chunks due to potential salmonella contamination.
• In March 2013, the Iams company issued a voluntary recall for Iams Shakeables Dog Treats due to potential mold growth.
• In December 2011, the FDA issued a recall for Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry food due to potential aflatoxin contamination.
• In August 2010, the FDA issued a recall for Iams Indoor Care Weight Control with Hairball Care dry cat food due to potential salmonella contamination.
• In July 2010, the FDA issued a recall for Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal recipe due to potential salmonella contamination.
• In June 2010, the FDA issued a recall for Iams ProActive Health canned cat and kitten food due to low levels of thiamine.
• In March 2007, the FDA issued a recall for several Iams Flakes canned cat food recipes and three canned dog food recipes – Iams Chunks, Iams Select Bites, and Iams Small Bites – due to potential melamine contamination.

Iams products can be found in most pet food chains as well as specialty pet stores – you can also purchase them from online pet food retailers.

Iams occasionally offers coupons on the company website and you can sign up with your email address to receive special offers as well as news about events and promotions. You may also be able to find Iams dog food coupons from individual retailers as well.

 

Compare Prices on Iams

The Iams brand of dog food includes seven different product lines so the price for their products varies quite a bit. Iams ProActive Health is the most affordable line of products with small 12.5 and 15-pound bags of dry food ranging from $15 to $30.

The Healthy Naturals line of products is a little more expensive with 23-pound bags ranging from $25 to $50. The most expensive line of products is the Iams Veterinary Formula line. For wet food,  Iams offers 6-ounce cans, 14-ounce cans, and 8-ounce tubs, depending on the product line.

Iams Woof Delights 8-ounce tubs come in cases of 12 for $25 to $42 which averages out to $2.80 per tub. Iams Chunks wet food comes in cases of twelve 12.3-ounce cans ranging from $15 to $30, an average of $1.90 per can. Iams Veterinary Formulas come in 14-ounce cans with a 12-pack costing $25 to $45, or about $3 per can.

Takeaway

All in all, Iams dog food offers a solid option for pet owners looking for a well-balanced, affordable diet for their dogs. The brand focuses on using high-quality protein sources, like chicken or lamb, which supports muscle development and overall health.

However, some of their formulas do contain grains and fillers that may not be suitable for dogs with sensitivities or specific dietary needs. While they don't market itself as a premium or organic brand, it provides good value for the price and can be a dependable choice for many dog owners.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly, reliable brand with a range of options, Iams is worth considering, but be sure to check the ingredient list to match your dog's specific requirements.