Last updated Jul 15, 2026
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Iams offers pets “health for life” through tailored nutrition that’s backed by science, but is this brand the right choice to bring out the best in your cat? Join us as we delve into the history of Iams and explore its products to determine whether it’s a healthy, high-quality choice.
The Cats.com Standard—Rating Iams on What Matters
We’ve taken a close look at Iams and graded it according to the Cats.com standard, evaluating the brand on species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history.
Here’s how it scored in each of these six key areas.
Ratings
- Species-Appropriateness – 5/10
- Ingredient Quality – 5/10
- Product Variety – 6/10
- Price – 7/10
- Customer Experience – 7/10
- Recall History – 4/10
Overall Score: 5.6/10
In total, we give Iams cat food a 34 out of 60 rating or a C grade.
About Iams Cat Food
Iams was launched in 1946 as the Iams Company by animal nutritionist Paul Iams. After graduating from the Ohio State University, Iams went on to develop one of the first dry dog foods featuring animal-based protein and later expanded the line to include cat food.
American businessman Clay Mathile joined Iams in 1970, purchased half the company five years later, then became its sole owner and president in 1982. By the time Mathile sold Iams to Procter & Gamble in 1999, the company’s revenue had increased by $800 million. In April 2014, Procter & Gamble sold Iams along with pet food brands Eukanuba and Natura to Mars, Inc. which maintains current ownership of the brand (except in Europe).
Mars, Inc. is the world’s largest pet food manufacturer and the name behind popular brands like Crave, Whiskas, and Royal Canin. The Iams brand is known for being widely accessible and budget-friendly, offering protein-forward formulas in convenient dry food and single-serve wet food trays. Iams’ selection isn’t as diverse as some similarly sized brands but it has a loyal following among both pet owners and veterinary professionals.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
Most Iams pet food is manufactured in the United States. Iams’ manufacturing facilities are located in Ohio, Nebraska, and North Carolina. The brand’s European division has a plant in Coevorden, a city in the province of Drenthe, Netherlands.
Iams explains that its food safety program is among the strictest in the business, exceeding FDA and USDA standards. The company adds that it receives superior ratings from the American Institute of Baking, an independent certification authority for the human food industry.
Iams doesn’t say where its ingredients are sourced. All Mars subsidiaries work with Mars’ Responsible Sourcing program and its Supplier Code of Conduct, which means the company uses third-party supplier risk assessment to choose ethical, reliable suppliers.
Has Iams Cat Food Been Recalled?
Yes, Iams pet food has been recalled several times since its founding but the most recent recall was over 12 years ago. In August 2013, Iams recalled a variety of dry dog food products due to potential for salmonella contamination. Certain lots of Iams Shakeables were also withdrawn from PetSmart shelves that same year for potential mold.
In December 2011, a limited run of dry puppy food was recalled due to aflatoxin contamination and there were two cat food recalls triggered by potential salmonella contamination in 2010 (August and July). Another recall was issued in June 2010 for all varieties of Iams ProActive Health canned cat and kitten food due to low levels of thiamine.
Iams was also implicated in the sweeping Menu Foods recall of 2007 caused by melamine contamination in ingredients sourced from China.
What Kinds of Cat Food Does Iams Offer?
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Iams offers a limited selection of wet and dry cat food formulas. The brand emphasizes tailored nutrition, stating its products are crafted for cats of specific life stages and activity levels. Each recipe features poultry or fish as the primary ingredient, often paired with grains, added fiber, and prebiotics to support healthy digestion.
The Proactive Health dry food line includes recipes targeting common health concerns like weight management, hairball care, and sensitive digestion. Here’s a list of the current dry cat food options Iams offers:
- Proactive Health Healthy Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
- Proactive Health Healthy Adult Salmon Recipe Dry Cat Food
- Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Cat Food
- Proactive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball Care with Salmon Dry Cat Food
- Proactive Health Urinary Tract Health with Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food
- Proactive Health Healthy Senior Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
- Proactive Health Sensitive Digestion & Skin Turkey Dry Cat Food
- Proactive Health Adult Hairball Care with Chicken & Salmon Dry Cat Food
- Proactive Health Healthy Weight Chicken Flavor Adult Dry Cat Food
- Proactive Health Healthy Kitten Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
- Proactive Health Healthy Kitten Salmon Recipe Dry Cat Food
- Proactive Health Healthy Enjoyment Immune Support Chicken & Salmon Adult Dry Cat Food
Iams offers about a dozen different wet cat food recipes, all in twin-packs containing two 1.3-ounce, single-serve portions. These feature chicken, turkey, salmon, and tuna as primary ingredients and are formulated for either kittens or adult cats, including indoor adult cats. Iams wet cat food comes in two textures: paté or cuts in gravy.
Iams Cat Food—Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Primary Protein | Calories Per Ounce | Price | Our Grade |
| Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Cat Food | Dry | Chicken | 95 | $0.13 | C |
| Iams Proactive Health Healthy Enjoyment Immune Support Chicken & Salmon Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food | Dry | Chicken | 108 | $0.18 | C |
| Iams Perfect Portions Indoor Adult Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Cuts in Gravy | Wet | Chicken | 27 | $0.57 | B |
#1 Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Cat Food
This Iams Proactive Health recipe is a low-calorie, high-fiber food marketed for indoor cats. Theoretically, these qualities help control indoor cats’ propensity to become obese and develop hairballs. The food offers moderate protein and low fat content and high carbohydrate content with about 95 calories per ounce.
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
The recipe features chicken and chicken by-product meal as the first two ingredients, both species-appropriate sources of animal protein. These meat ingredients are followed by a series of grains—corn grits, corn protein meal, and ground whole grain sorghum. Dried beet pulp and powdered cellulose serve as fiber sources.
The food contains fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Unfortunately, it also contains caramel color, a dye that may contain 2-MI and 4-MI, process contaminants with potential carcinogenic properties. It is, however, free from synthetic flavor and artificial preservatives.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Grits, Corn Protein Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Turkey, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Powdered Cellulose, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Sodium Bisulfate, Caramel Color, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Fructooligosaccharides, Dl-Methionine, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Citric Acid (Preservative), Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Vitamins (Niacin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Vitamin E Supplement, L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Fish Oil, Turkey, Dried Egg Product
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Corn Protein Meal, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Dried Peas, Caramel Color
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Animal proteins are the top two ingredients
- Contains fish oil as a species-appropriate source of omega-3s
- Enriched with fiber to support digestion and reduce hairballs
What We Didn’t Like:
- No dry food provides the hydrating moisture your cat needs
- High carbohydrate content over 30% (measured as dry matter)
- Contains several corn ingredients
#2 Iams Proactive Health Healthy Enjoyment Immune Support Chicken & Salmon Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food
An offshoot of Iams’ ProActive Health line, this Healthy Enjoyment kibble is geared towards picky eaters. This dry food combines crunchy kibble with bites that are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The first ingredient listed is chicken with additional animal protein provided by chicken by-product meal, salmon, dried meat by-products, and dried egg product. The primary source of added fat is vaguely named animal fat.
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
We don’t love the amount of corn-based ingredients in this recipe, especially considering they’re split into three components (whole-grain corn, corn grits, and corn protein meal. This is a tactic manufacturers often use to artificially shift animal ingredients to higher positions on the list (which is ordered by weight). There’s also some wheat flour, which is likely highly processed and low in nutritional value for cats.
With so many animal by-products and plant proteins included in this recipe, it’s hard to tell how much of the total protein comes from species-appropriate sources. Animal by-products aren’t inherently bad for cats, but quality and nutritional composition can vary greatly between batches. This recipe also contains some added caramel color and dried cheese, neither of which are ideal for cats.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Corn Grits, Corn Protein Meal, Salmon, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavors, Wheat Flour, Brewers Rice, Dried Meat By-Products, Sodium Bisulfate, Potassium Chloride, Dried Egg Product, Caramel Color, Calcium Carbonate, Brewers Dried Yeast, Choline Chloride, Dl-Methionine, Fructooligosaccharides, Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Citric Acid (Preservative), Minerals (Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Salt, Vitamins (Niacin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin A Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Vegetable Oil, L-Carnitine, Dried Cheese, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Salmon, Fish Oil, Dried Egg Product
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Ground Whole Grain Corn, Corn Grits, Corn Protein Meal, Wheat Flour, Caramel Color
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Contains several whole sources of animal protein (chicken and salmon)
- Kibbles featuring different textures may appeal to picky eaters
- Enriched with prebiotic fibers to support healthy digestion
- Relies primarily on animal-sourced fat
What We Didn’t Like:
- No dry food provides the hydrating moisture your cat needs
- Relies heavily on corn and wheat ingredients
- High carbohydrate content over 30% (measured as dry matter)
#3 Iams Perfect Portions Indoor Adult Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Cuts in Gravy
Like most Iams wet cat food, this formula comes in twin-packs of individual 1.3-ounce servings. You can snap them apart and open one at a time, saving yourself the hassle of storing leftovers. Each serving has about 35 calories with an estimated protein content of 50% and fat content of 22% (measured as dry matter).
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
This recipe features flaked chicken in a gravy-like sauce, which is thickened with tapioca starch, xanthan gum, and guar gum. While these thickeners are crucial for the texture of the food, they aren’t nutritionally valuable and some cats experience loose stools when eating them.
Chicken is the main ingredient but the food contains supplemental protein from chicken liver, meat by-products, and dried egg product. The primary source of added fat is fish oil, a carnivore-appropriate source of omega-3 fatty acids. Otherwise, there’s just a little added fiber, natural flavor, caramel color, and nutrient supplements.
Ingredients
Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Meat By-Products, Tapioca Starch, Dried Egg Product, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Glycine, Fish Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Potassium Chloride, Salt, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Natural Flavor, Magnesium Sulfate, Xanthan Gum, Choline Chloride, Caramel Color, Taurine, Fructooligosaccharides, DL-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Guar Gum, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K).
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Taurine, Fish Oil, Dried Egg Product
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Tapioca Starch, Caramel Color
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Top three ingredients are animal-sourced proteins
- Good source of hydrating moisture for cats
- Chunks of chicken-based food in a thickened gravy
- Individual 1.3-ounce portions packaged in convenient twin-packs
What We Didn’t Like:
- Gum thickeners may trigger loose stools in sensitive cats
- Contains added color (caramel color)
What Do Customers Think of Iams Cat Food?
Iams generally receives positive customer feedback, with most of its products rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars or higher on major retail platforms like Amazon and Chewy. Its most popular products, generally the dry cat foods, have thousands of reviews (some over 20k).
Let’s take a look at some customer reviews for Iams cat food.
Positive Reviews
The Iams brand is often recommended by experts as one of relatively few mainstream manufacturers that meets World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines. Satisfied customers frequently comment on the affordability and palatability of Iams cat food, and many cat owners are happy with the variety of products.
“When our cats graduated from IAMS Kitten formula, we started them on this! No issues, agrees with both of their stomachs, and they’re both liking it.” – Layla, reviewing Iams ProActive Heart Healthy Adult dry cat food on Jan 3, 2026
“Yuki is a healthy ~2 yr. old indoor cat. We’ve been giving him a combo of this and the Iams kibble for indoor cats for a little over year. He hasnt had any issues and he never turns down a bowl. Iams has always been a consistent source for all my 4-legged kiddos.” – Christina, reviewing Iams Perfect Portions Indoor Chicken Recipe Grain-Free on May 17, 2026
Negative Reviews
As with any brand, some cats simply don’t care for Iams cat food. However, negative reviews more often mention concerns about ingredient quality (including ingredient splitting) and quality control (such as inconsistent kibble texture or stale product). A significant number of customers also seem to find the wet food packaging difficult or messy to open.
“Unfortunately, all three of my cats did not like this flavor and will avoid it when mixed with their favorite dry Iams food. Even the stray cats outside don’t like it either. Our neighborhood raccoon and squirrels love it.” – Nancy, reviewing Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Control dry cat food on Apr 5, 2026
“My cats are easy. They’ll eat almost anything. There have been no complaints about this product from them. As for me, I have a complaint. Everytime I open these containers cat food juice splashes/squirts out. Every darn time. I can’t take it anymore. I’m switching to a different product.” – Alexander, reviewing Iams Perfect Portions Salmon Recipe Cuts in Gravy on May 8, 2026
How Much Does Iams Cat Food Cost?
Most Iams foods have prices comparable to mid-level brands like Purina Beyond or Rachael Ray Nutrish, with some of the wet foods entering premium price territory. The premium price of Iams’ wet cat foods seems to have more to do with the packaging than the product, however, as the food is only sold in twin-packs of individual 1.3-ounce servings.
Iams dry cat food is relatively inexpensive, ranging from about $1.70 to $2.60 per pound ($0.11 to $0.16 per ounce). The wet foods average $0.50 to $0.65 per ounce. Using the average calorie needs of a healthy 10-pound cat, the estimated daily cost to feed Iams cat food is about $0.25 to $0.40 for dry food and about $$3.75 to $4.90 for wet food.
Where is Iams Cat Food Sold?
You can browse the full selection of Iams cat foods on the brand’s website but you’ll need to buy the products elsewhere. Iams cat food is sold by major pet retailers like Chewy, PetSmart, Petco, Petflow, and Pet Supplies Plus as well as Amazon and Target.
In stores, you can find Iams products in a variety of pet retail chains as well as grocery stores and drugstores. Use the Iams store locator to find a retailer near you.
Overall, Is Iams Cat Food a Good Choice?
Many cats and their guardians love Iams, but it’s not a brand we recommend without caveats. Iams has issued at least half a dozen recalls since 2004, suggesting flaws in its quality control and safety program. Iams foods are moderately-priced, but have ingredient lists similar to those found in budget-tier products.
Of Iams’ selection, we prefer the Perfect Portions wet food line over the dry foods. They’re moisture-rich and prioritize animal proteins over highly processed grains, though they still include added starch and vaguely named animal by-products. And because they’re sold in single-serve portions, Iams wet foods are similarly priced or more expensive than brands we’ve rated more highly (like Weruva and Wellness).
Similar Brands
Looking for other cat food brands similar to Iams? Check out some of our other brand reviews.
I bought the IAMS perfect portions and gave to a cutie pie calico. She took one bite, walked away, and barfed. Loaded with the ubiquitous cat food crap, “Meat By Products” and starch. Fortunately I’m only out $16.
I’m getting ready to reach out, but I purchased 2 22 lbs and 2 16 lbs of Iams Bagged cat food on October 24. I opened the bag, and it had that old smell. Cats wouldn’t eat it. I looked at the expiration dates, and 2 expired in May 2024, before the date I got it, and 1 expires this month, May, and one next month, June. I didn’t think to look at the dates when I got them.
Purchased Iams Proactive Health Indoor 12/20/24. My cat would not try it or touch it. Took it out for the strays. They, also, would not try it or touch it. Now I am out $15.00 Will never try another product.
I don’t believe you, we use IAMS exclusively for our Maine Coons and knowing strays the way I know strays they will devour IAMS.
Hi Mallory.
I have used Iams for many years now (2003).
In particular, the wet food is what I see the biggest difference in concerning my senior cats and those with Fiv or Leukemia.
They have a noticeable amount of energy change to higher and more alertness.
This can’t be an accident.
When I questioned my vet – who’s not a big fan of theirs – she simply preferred Science Diet brand.
I think that Iams wet or dry must contain more antioxidants than other store bought brands and likely more absorbable ingredients.
On tbe dry: I tested this as I did the wet except on the younger cats….plus some that were outside.
Every single one of them metabolized the cheaper brands twice as fast and my indoor cats in addition had horrible smelling poop – no matter the brand (kit n kaboodle, 9 Lives, Friskies).
As one person on here already stated, with Iams they stay full longer and seem happier with it.
*the outside cats I noticed, who were also fed cheap food by a neighbor, as I switched back to Iams – though they ate a little less – became very demanding as if it were something special.
I did this multiple times spending a week or 2 on cheap food and then switching back to Iams and it was the exact same each time.
To me they have the health part down as well as the taste part down to.
Hi my cat has been having the digestion and skin one and she seems ok on it but what other brands would you suggest for these problems, also weight gain
Thanks
Trena
Hi there! We have a full list of the best foods for cats with sensitive digestion! I think you’ll appreciate it.
I’ve fed all my pets Iams for the last 30 years and encouraged many friends to get away from the usual supermarket brands and go to Iam. The animals have all been happy and active and lived long lives. I allow cats to free feed and find that with Iam they eat less and leave less in the litterbox so I must conclude they are able to better digest it and get what they need.
Um if “Chicken-based food isn’t ideal for long-term feeding” then what is?
Hello Domi, when this article was written originally, I said this thinking that continued consumption of a chicken-only diet may lead to allergies, but given that the food isn’t even entirely made from chicken, I think this statement was incorrect. I’ve removed it from the article.
Pretty much a puff piece written by cat mommy. I will get my advice from Cornell’s Feline Health Center.
Which is correct on the Iams kitten? The pie chart of 2 something % or 14%? Do you consider 2% low? Im new to the cat world & still learning. Thanks so much Mallory! 😉
Your Iams Perfect Portions Wet Food review says it has carrageenan but the ingredient list doesn’t have it, did it come up in the lab result then?
Hi! That’s an excellent question. I’m not sure where the discrepancy comes from and am updating the article to remove the references to carrageenan—the ingredient list is accurate.
Could you please review your Iams Perfect Portions Wet Food review? It does not make sense. First it says that fish oil is not an appropriate source of fat, but then it’s listed in the pros column as appropriate. The cons say that it contains carrageenan, but I do not see it listed in the ingredients. And a 2.6% carb percentage seems much lower than “moderate.” I am not sure what to make of it all.
That is really confusing! I don’t remember writing anything so strange—my apologies. Fish oil should definitely be consistently referred to as a species-appropriate source of fat. I’m correcting that now. Regarding the carbohydrate content, the original article did not have the pie charts, and the “moderate” descriptor referred to my assessment based on the guaranteed analysis, which yielded an estimate of 14% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.