How is iams dog food

IAMS is one of those dog food brands that changed the dog food industry. In the s, they introduced a puppy formula — being one of the first and possibly the first to offer dog food recipes based on the different life stages.

Around this time, they started making cat food, and about 10 years later, their lines of natural pet food hit the market. IAMS used research showing the connection between healthy skin and coat and the fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6, and they began to incorporate these in their recipes.

DHA was added to all their puppy formulas in the s to aid with healthy brain development. In the last few years, the company has surprised dog owners with one new product after another. They may have fallen behind a little regarding all-natural and grain-free dog foods , which have become popular lately. Check Chewy Price. On Dog Food review sites, IAMS is classified as an average or slightly above average dog food, and it has received a rating of 3.

This means that it is currently not the best dry dog food, but it is a good option for dog owners on a budget, as it rates higher than many other grocery store brands. This makes IAMS dog food good or bad depending on what you compare it to, and on what your budget is for buying food for your four-legged friend.

Related; Affordable Dog Foods Review. The first ingredient in many of the IAMS products tends to be meat, which is considered a quality ingredient. However, there are still concerns about this because the meat ingredient is believed to have high water content. Each ingredient is put on the scale before the water is removed. Meaning the food probably contains a lot less actual meat than what the ingredient list might make it seem like. Corn is not harmful to dogs, but the canine body cannot process corn to use its nutrients.

Therefore, it has become known as a cheap filler in the dog food business. Fourth is animal by-product meal, yet another indicator of low protein content due to animal by-products being classified as low-quality protein sources. It is the main reason why IAMS dry cheap dog food reviews will often hold back on the rating. Innovation remained at the core of the brand's identity for decades, and Iams was the first to treat dogs as carnivores by introducing animal protein into their diet.

Over the years, the range of Iams products broadened to include dry and wet food for dogs and cats, as well as occasional pet treats.

So who owns Iams dog food brand now? The company changed hands several times but is now a proud part of Mars Inc, the largest global pet food manufacturer and one of the biggest US enterprises.

As a result of the ownership change, the Iams dog food production is now spread across several countries, but the bags sold in the US are manufactured in-country using locally-sourced ingredients. Still, some of the vitamins and supplements that go into kibble and wet food are imported. China is among the suppliers, though the quality of imported ingredients is rigorously tested and checked according to California Transparency in Supply Chains Act. Iams products are beloved by pet owners the world over because of their balanced chicken-based recipes.

While none of the current offers is grain-free, there's little to no evidence of allergies or digestive issues caused by corn or barley in Iams formulas.

Moreover, many dog owners notice increased energy levels, shinier fur, and reduced skin irritation. The company relies on a few tried-and-true ingredients, but their combinations differ between products.

So before you skip to a specific Iams dog food review, here's a quick overview of the eight products on my shortlist. 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 dog's 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 there's 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 it's 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 pound bag if you want to give it a try.

Help your pooch shed those extra pounds with this lite version of the ever-popular chicken-based kibble supplemented with L-carnitine, chondroitin, and glucosamine. This Iams ProActive Health dog food is tailored to the needs of overweight large canines who need to get rid of a couple of extra pounds. The formula is lighter on fat and calories than other Iams products but no less nutritious with chicken and egg-derived protein, beet pulp and veggie fiber.

I only wish corn wasn't the first on the list of ingredients, even if it's whole grain and ground for better digestion. Coupled with barley and sorghum, the grain content is a bit much for canines and might cause allergic reactions for dogs with sensitive tummies. The naturally occurring glucosamine and chondroitin are well-placed in this kibble, as they protect joints and keep them strong and flexible.

And the L-carnitine supplement helps oxidize fat and shed weight faster. While this product is designed for large and giant breeds, the only packaging option available is Even with careful portion size control, large pups can go through the bag in a couple of weeks, so you need to stay on top of your pet food order or buy a few bags at a time. Hopefully, Iams will introduce a larger packaging some time soon. 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.

First ingredients are chicken and ground whole barley. Guaranteed Formulated to help large-breed puppies develop strong muscles. Includes 22 key nutrients that approximate dog breast milk, plus omega-3 DHA to support brain health. Made to support nutritional wellness of senior dogs of all sizes and breeds. Supplemented with immune-supporting antioxidants plus prebiotics to aid digestion.

Features lamb as the first ingredient. Made with omega-6 fatty acids to help promote coat and skin plus a blend of fibers and prebiotics to support digestion. Suitable for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes. A link has directed you to this review.

Its location on this page may change next time you visit. For more information about reviews on ConsumerAffairs. Like many other people here my dog experienced the same out of control diarrhea and lethargy.

This product was recommended by the local vet, as they said that blue buffalo, which I had been feeding him was not very good. Well I tell you one thing he never had projectile diarrhea from blue buffalo. He has always been an energetic happy puppy but now he is too sick. Get buying tips about Dog Food delivered to your inbox. Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. I have been feeding this to my dog for at least 6 months.

Two weeks ago he started vomiting and having horrific, bloody, mucusy diarrhea. I took him to the emergency vet the next day. They did x-rays, blood tests, stool tests, and they saw nothing. They gave him an injection to rehydrate him. They gave him antibiotics and recommended the "bland diet" of chicken and rice and he was all better. We integrated the kibble back into his diet and at 4 am this morning I woke up to him panting and running around in circles which I now know means he is about to have diarrhea everywhere.

Luckily I got him outside in time but he had violent diarrhea - so bad that he had blood dripping down his bottom. The same thing happened 3 hours later. Apparently, the blood is indicative of colon inflammation which is likely from food. I called the vet and they said to take him off the food immediately.

My next stop is looking online for class action lawsuits or compensation. I cannot believe so many people have had the same miserable experience. I'm so glad my dog is ok, but this should not be on shelves. This food is going in the trash. To provide a healthy and complete nutrition, the kibble is enriched with all important vitamins and minerals and even contains L-carnitine for maintaining a healthy metabolism.

However, the brand sometimes doesn't prioritize animal but plant-based protein, which not all pet parents like. So, is Iams the right pet food brand for you and your pooch?

Iams was founded more than seven decades ago, in to be precise, by Paul Iams, whose name the brand still carries today. Back then, pet foods were not available in stores so people usually fed their dogs with whatever table scraps they had — not the best nutrition for canines, obviously.

Iams was the first to introduce animal-based proteins in dry dog foods - a move that changed the whole canine nutrition history. Then, in , Paul established Eukanuba, another dog food brand which quickly became as popular as Iams. However, in the company nearly went broke.

Because during the Arab oil embargo the costs for meats and bones went sky-high and at the same time, Richard Nixon, the then-president of the U.

Still, Iams refused to change their formulas and they continued producing animal-based protein rich pet foods. However, its European business was sold to Spectrum Brands. Although the brand has changed hands quite a number of times, one thing has remained the same throughout their history — using nutritious ingredients to formulate different types of pet foods. All of their products are developed by nutritionists and most of them are supported and recommended by veterinarians.

Iams pet foods may not produce the highest quality dog foods on the market, but their formulas are definitely worth checking out. The company properly names their ingredients for the most part and formulates their recipes in a balanced way, providing complete nutrition. Most of their foods boast animal-based protein as the first ingredient and they usually use quality meats. This is not a bad thing per se— some canines, especially those that have poor kidney health, should avoid consuming too much meat anyway, so for such pets, these types of foods may be in fact perfect.

As for added color, additives in small amounts are for the most part perfectly fine for healthy pets. The company offers a wide range of dog formulas - from Iams dry dog foods , to wet formulas, to foods formulated for specific breeds, life stages, and health issues, you can find pretty much anything you and your pooch need here.

Related post: Dehydrated Dog Food.