*This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you buy after clicking on our links.
Confused about which kitten food to choose because there are so many varieties on the market? Iams kitten food is a good option for your kitty. Here is the Iams kitten food review.
As a veterinarian and kitten parent, I want to offer my little one the best food because I want him to grow healthy and happy. If you are looking for a great product with a good quality: price ratio, Iams kitten food is a good option to start with.
The Iams brand offers dry and wet food for all cats, adults, and kittens. Their kitten food isn’t grain-free but it has a high protein intake, fish oil, vitamins, and minerals.
One of the best products Iams band has to offer for your little feline is Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food. It is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. It is designed to help your kitten grow strong and healthy.
Keep on reading if you want to find out what Iams kitten food is, why Iams kitten food is a good food brand, what ingredients it has, how the nutrients in Iams kitten food can help your kitty, and more.
What is Iams?
Iams is a pet food brand that makes wet and dry food for cats and dogs of all ages. Their products provide complete and balanced diets.
Iams Brand History, Sourcing, and Manufacturing
Iams is owned and produced by Mars, Inc. in America and Spectrum Brands in Europe.
Paul Iams created this brand in 1946. He was an animal nutritionist from Ohio who initially sold high-fat, high-protein dog food.
In 1950, the brand developed for the first time dry food for dogs, which was made mainly of proteins of animal origin. Later, Iams also started to produce cat food.
Paul Iams sold the company in 1999 to Procter & Gamble (P&G), which allowed cat food to reach the whole world.
In 2014, P&G sold Iams, Eukanuba, and Natura to Mars, Inc.
Mars Petcare is the largest pet food company in the world, comprising more than 40 pet food brands, including Royal Canin and Whiskas.
P&G also sold in 2014 Iams’ European division to Spectrum Brands, a brand that includes Furminator and Nature’s Miracle.
The majority of the products the Iams brand produces are manufactured in the United States with local ingredients, but also with some ingredients (vitamins and minerals) that come from trusted sources from China. Iams’ production facilities in the US are located in Nebraska, Ohio, and North Carolina.
In Europe, Iams has a factory in Coevorden, Drenthe province, Netherlands.
Iams Recall History
The Iams brand has been recalled several times for both dog and cat assortment since it’s been founded.
Regarding cat products, Iams has three recalls.
The first recall was in 2007 when the brand recalled several assortments for cats from the market due to potential contamination with melamine. The products contained ingredients sourced from China.
In June 2010, they recalled Iams ProActive Health products for cats and kittens because they had a low level of thiamine (vitamin B1).
Also in 2010, Iams recalled Feline Renal products from the market due to potential contamination with Salmonella.
Nutrients & Ingredients
Iams kitten food contains high-protein diets, with added grains (corn and sorghum). Iams brand also enriches its diets with vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids, providing complete and balanced diets for kittens.
Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food
One of the best dry kitten food that the Iams brand has to offer is Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food.
How It Is Prepared
It contains real chicken as its first ingredient, chicken meal, chicken by-product meal, and whole grains (corn and sorghum). It also has added vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids, such as vitamin E, fish oil, [phosphorus, and taurine.
It also has DHA – a fatty acid that is normally found in the mother’s milk that is also rich in protein.
Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food is a complete diet that promotes the healthy growth of your kitten.
Guaranteed Analysis
Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food is high in protein (min. 33% crude protein and min. 21% crude fat). It also has added vitamins and minerals to support the good functioning of your kitty’s body, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to help with your kitten’s skin and coat, and taurine for the proper development of its brain. Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food is also palatable (tasty), promoting nutrition. This is one of the best kitten food options available.
Guaranteed Analysis[1]
| Crude Protein | 33.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 21.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 3.0% max |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
| Calcium | 1.2% min |
| Phosphorus | 0.8% min |
| Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) | 0.05% min |
| Vitamin E | 140 IU/kg min |
| Taurine | 0.15% min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 3.0% min |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.30% min |
Ingredient Analysis
Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food is a complete and balanced diet suited for all kittens. This product has added minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids such as:
- DHA
- Vitamin E
- Taurine
- Omega 6
- And others
DHA[2]
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is found in fish oil and is a polyunsaturated fatty acid. It has many benefits for growing kittens, such as:
- Improvement of vision
- Retinal development
- Growth and functional development of the brain
DHA is also recommended for pregnant and lactating cats.
Vitamin E[3]
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it dissolves in fats. It helps with cellular communication (cell-to-cell communication) and is essential for carrying out many vital processes in the body, such as:
- It helps to heal and regenerate the skin.
- Protects the liver (Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant for this organ).
- It ensures the metabolism of amino acids and fatty acids.
- It maintains the health of blood vessels.
- It maintains eye health.
- It facilitates the storage of energy, in the form of glycogen, in the liver and muscles (including the myocardium – the heart muscle).
- It maintains the health of blood vessels and the eyes.
- It supports the immune system and the formation of new tissues.
Taurine[4]
Taurine is an amino acid that cats cannot synthesize, as is the case with humans and dogs. Taurine is usually found in animal tissues. As a result, cats can get this essential amino acid for their health from food and supplements.
It is very important to pay attention to what your cat eats. Foods that lack this amino acid can cause deficiencies, which in turn can lead to severe health problems and even death. Also, cats’ bodies do not convert fats and carbohydrates into energy sources, so it is important to feed them quality and high in protein foods.
Taurine plays a role in many physiological processes, such as:
- It is an essential component in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
- It supports the circulatory system.
- It supports cardiac activity.
- It contributes to the development of neurons.
- It helps with the detoxification process.
- It contributes to the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
- It maintains visual acuity.
- It keeps skin and fur healthy.
Omega 6[5]
Cats need a diet that ensures a necessary intake of omega-6 fatty acids because their body does not have the ability to produce the necessary amount.
The benefits of omega 6 for cats’ bodies are:
- Reducing the risk of cancer.
- Reducing cardiac risk.
- Lowering blood cholesterol levels.
- Tissue recovery after intense physical exertion.
- Fight against the inflammation produced in the muscles.
Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food Pros
- Real chicken
- Palatable
- No fillers
- Made in the USA
- Bite-size kibbles, perfect for kittens
Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food Cons
- It contains corn and sorghum
Feeding Guidelines
Feed your kitten according to its weight and age. You can also adjust the food you serve your kitten according to its needs.
Always provide fresh water at discretion.
Feed your cat 3-4 meals per day up to 24 weeks of age. After this age, you can feed it 2-4 meals per day according to its needs.
Feeding Instructions[1]
| Kitten Age | Daily Feeding (cups) |
| Up to 8 weeks | 1/3 |
| 12 weeks | 1/2 |
| 16 weeks | 1/2 |
| 24 weeks | 1/2 |
| 32 weeks | 1/2 |
| 40 weeks | 1/2 |
Iams Kitten Food Review by Customers[1]
5-star reviews:
Customer 1
“The kittens love it and the old cat
I had not really used IAMS before, but when I fostered three kittens, (eventually became a foster failure), I was supplied IAMS kitten. I had some very malnourished kittens that also had some health issues, IAMS did wonders for them. So much so, when I ran out and decided to keep the kittens, I ordered more to continue to keep them on this food.”
Customer 2
“Perfect Food for the first year of your new family members’ life
My kitten absolutely loves this food. He didn’t like the first two brands we tried. When we got this for him it was a hit right away. He actually goes to the container where we store his food and meows at it every morning like he’s saying “hey humans I would like my yummy food now” Lol Not to mention the pieces are small and perfect for a baby kitten.”
Customer 3
“Kitten loves to eat it!
I wasn’t sure if my first kitty would be picky or not, but I picked this up at a friend’s recommendation. She eats it all up and seems to like it! The kibble size is smaller than other kitten food I’ve purchased since then too.”
1-star review
Customer 1
“No one ate it
I bought this for a new kitten. He didn’t eat it. I have three grown cats and not one of them liked it. I feed an outside stray and he didn’t eat it either. I have now given it to a friend who does recues and fosters. Will be interesting to see if her cats eat it.”
Customer 2
“Iams kitten food
Kittens and cats don’t like it. Wasted my money. Wouldn’t recommend it.”
Good Alternatives For Iams Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food
Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food
This diet is similar to Iams Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food. It is made with chicken and has added vitamins and minerals. It also isn’t grain free (it has corn and wheat in its composition).
Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food
It contains similar ingredients as Iams Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food and has added DHA to promote brain and vision development and taurine for healthy growth. This food also benefits nursing cats.
FAQs
Do the Iams brand test on animals and how?
Some say that the Iams brand is still doing tests on dogs and cats, but it is not known how.[6]
Is Iams Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat an approved diet?
The Iams brand respects the highest quality and food safety standards, exceeding the USDA and Food and Drug Administration standards, as mentioned on their official page.[7]
Conclusion
Overall, Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food seems a good diet, except for the fact it has grain in its composition, and corn is in third place on the list of ingredients. It is made with real chicken meat as its first ingredient, and it has added essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including DHA and taurine.
