Worst Puppy Food: Iams Proactive Health Smart Puppy
Pups are very much like human children in the sense that what you feed them early on can have a significant impact on their growth and development.
Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Original Formula is the worst puppy food even though it may contain the phrase Health Smart on its label.
In one disturbing case, a dog owner on the Consumer Affairs website observed that her pet displayed indications of a parasite soon after eating this food.
However, a vet confirmed the digestive health issues arose due to the food, and no parasites were present in the dog, luckily.
Advantages Of Iams Dog Food:
- IAMS Company products promote healthiness and liveliness in the dogs
- All of the products have great taste as it comes with the variety of the flavors
- All of the products are enriched with the healthy ingredients that promote healthiness and happiness in the dogs
- The products contain the crunchy kibbles that efficiently scrub the dogs teeth with every bite. These crunchy kibbles reduce the chances of plaque that can lead to a bad breath
Iams Dry Dog Food Chunks
At first glance, IAMS products don’t seem so bad. The first ingredient is usually chicken, which is a great protein source. However, when you start to look at some of the other ingredients used, it starts to become evident that this dog food isn’t a good option for your dog.
First, it has corn meal. This is nothing more than a filler. Secondly, it uses chicken byproduct meal. There’s that controversial “byproduct” again.
While this byproduct is identified, IAMS doesn’t provide any information about what the byproduct is. Is it beneficial organs or is it slaughterhouse waste?
Finally, there’s sorghum and beet pulp. Sorghum is similar in nutrient content to corn meal. Meanwhile, beet pulp is a high-fiber byproduct that can lead to weight gain.
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Iams Proactive Health Minichunks Adult Dry Dog Food
And now, something a little bit different lamb and rice dog food. Unlike most Iams recipes, this formula features lamb as its first ingredient and rice as the third, making it a good option for picky eaters. Aside from these tasty additions, the recipe also contains the usual ingredients including chicken by-product meal, barley, sorghum and whole grain corn.;
To support your pets digestion, the formula contains a blend of fibers and prebiotics , so it should be suitable for pups with sensitive stomachs. Theres also plenty of omega-6 fatty acids for supple skin and shiny coat, as well as antioxidants for a strong immune system. Overall, a nice budget-friendly kibble that should satisfy the cravings of most fussy dogs.
You may also like our guide on the Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters.
Calorie content: 337 per cup
Crude protein : 25%
3 main ingredients: lamb, chicken byproduct meal, brewers rice
Enriched with omega-6 fatty acids, selenium, l-carnitine, and vitamin E
Iams Dog Food Ratings
Filed Under: Dog Foods
About Molly Weinfurter
Molly Weinfurter is from Wisconsin, but she moved to Florida to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing. She currently works at Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming where she gets to work with dogs on a daily basis. When shes not at work, she spends time on writing and editing projects, mostly relating to dogs and other pets. She is knowledgeable about a variety of dog breeds, but the one she is most familiar with is Shih Tzus because she has written multiple projects about them and she spends a lot of time with her own Shih Tzu, Mabel. She recently published a book on how to raise and care for a Shih Tzu, and she hopes to be able to publish more dog books in the future.
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What Makes A Dog Food Bad
Dry dog food products are more complex than most people give them credit for. In each individual morsel, there are tons of components packed in.
Manufacturers can utilize a wide variety of ingredients to create their product and there can be tons of things wrong with the formula.
However, there are a few important categories that have the biggest impact on your dog’s health.
Here are some key considerations that could turn an otherwise decent food into something that you should avoid at all costs.
Do Calories Matter In Dog Food
The main dietary requirement for dogs is protein, so in general, it makes sense to choose foods with higher levels of this. But if you have a dog that has never had weight issues and doesnt need to lose any pounds, then the amount of calories isnt going to matter as much because there are other considerations like flavor or texture that might be more important.
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Why Iams Dog Food
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. However, there are several formulas that dont feature animal-based protein as their first ingredient, and some include added color as well. 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. Still, this is not an ideal nutritional situation for most canines, and its good to keep that in mind when buying dog foods. Still, all Iams pet foods adhere to the nutritional standards set by AAFCO, meaning theyre complete and balanced.
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.
All in all, these are solid dog foods that contain a balanced ratio of macronutrients, and theyre currently one of the best affordable options on the market.
Complaints About Iams Dog Food
Iams was acquired by Proctor&Gamble, and since then, some pet parents have complained that the ingredients and formulas of the Iams foods have been changed. This switch has seen potentially lower value ingredients and less healthy recipes.
They also apparently did a bit of a bait and switch a couple years back that left many pet parents upset. Their lamb formula briefly featured chicken as the first ingredient rather than lamb as it did previously. However, it seems that they have changed it back after many complaints from dog owners who did not appreciate the deception.
Still, its something that you may want to look out for in the future, particularly if your dog is prone to allergies, upset stomach or diarrhea. Its possible that they may try to change formulas again.
In closing, Iams is at best, a mediocre dog food. They arent the worst on the market, but they certainly arent the best either. The high carbohydrate and fat content in this food is not ideal, and it could lead to health problems down the road for your dog, particularly if they are a senior pup or not very active.
They also use some questionable ingredients that we just wont feed our fur babies, namely the corn and the chicken by-products, which seem to make up a large portion of all of their recipes.
$Least;Expensive
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Is Iams Dog Food Good
On Dog Food review sites, IAMS is classified as an average or slightly above average dog food, and it has received a rating of 3.5/5. 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.
What Do Veterinary Professionals Think Of Iams Dog Food
IAMS dog food is so loved in the veterinary community that you will often find IAMS products sold in veterinary clinics. Though it is a store brand that can be purchased without any type of prescription, they do offer diets that are approved in certain medical situations due to their quality ingredients. IAMS has a wonderful option for dogs of all kinds, making it one of the favorites among veterinary professionals.
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Iams Dog Food Company Overview
Iams was founded more than seven decades ago, in 1946 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 1969, Paul established Eukanuba, another dog food brand which quickly became as popular as Iams. However, in 1973 the company nearly went broke. Why? 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.S., issued nationwide wage and price control, which only worsened the situation. Still, Iams refused to change their formulas and they continued producing animal-based protein rich pet foods. Although their move was commendable , it almost cost them their company. Luckily, the company was bought by Clay Mathile in 1982, who managed to greatly expand the business which he then sold to P&G in 1999. Finally, in 2014, P&G decided to sell its Iams, Eukanuba and Natura pet food brands to Mars Inc. However, its European business was sold to Spectrum Brands.
Iams Proactive Health Mature Adult Dry Dog Food
Senior dogs and those approaching their golden years will typically benefit from eating foods lower in calories and fat compared to their younger counterparts. As such, one can always consider the Iams senior dog food as its formulated with nutritious ingredients for overall health and vitality without being high in calories or fat.
The first two ingredients are chicken and chicken by-product meal, so the recipe is quite rich in protein. Other ingredients include whole grains such as barley and sorghum, carrots, and dried beet pulp, all of which are packed with fiber for gentle digestion. There is also l-carnitine which helps your dogs metabolism burn fat faster, promoting a healthy weight. Of course, the formula is also fortified with all important minerals and vitamins, so it provides a 100% complete nutrition.
Calorie content: 333 per cup
Crude protein : 24%
3 main ingredients: chicken, chicken by-product meal, ground whole grain barley
Enriched with beta-carotene, l-carnitine, vitamin E, and omega 6 fatty acids
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Iams Dog Food Review Is Iams A Good Dog Food Learn Here
One of the best things that you can do is to feed your dog with a diet that is actually, formulated featuring nutritional breakthroughs. And these nutritional breakthroughs are progressed by the geriatric research of the IAMS dog food.
It takes times to generate the most authentic, healthy and, well-balanced diet for the dogs.
IAMS Company generates a diet for the animal which maximizes their ability to stay active and strong and, promotes a healthy lifestyle by maintaining the muscles tone and digestive health.;
They use such discreet and, natural ingredients in the diet which help the animal in maintaining their ideal body weight.; They know fat is not good for the animal so they produce a perfect and, well-balanced diet for the wellbeing of the dogs.
Why Are Vegetables A Good Thing For My Puppy
Contrary to very popular belief, our fluffy canine friends are actually omnivores, not carnivores! This means that, like us, and unlike their feline counterparts, puppies and dogs will get vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants from fruits as well as vegetables. Vegetables can be a fantastic source of Vitamin E, which is great for healthy, silky coats, and B vitamins for energy. Spinach, blueberries, and other superfoods which provide antioxidants help your puppy to fight cancer by combatting cell damage, too, while the natural fiber helps your puppy digest more easily. Thats why they form a healthy part of any good puppy food, like the ProActive kibble in our Hypoallergenic IAMS Dog Food Review.
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Worst Wet Dog Food: Cesar Filets
Cesar Filets is considered one of the worst dog foods because of its high salt content .
It has sufficient water for processing, animal liver, chicken, beef and meat by-products, wheat gluten, ground wheat flour, cornstarch, salt, pea fiber, sodium tripolyphosphate, calcium carbonate, added color, choline chloride, magnesium.
It helps if you also understand that the quality of ingredients cannot tell the whole story, but the amount of meat in the dog food is critical to consider before determining whether it falls in the best or worst category.
The amount of protein in Cesar filet is about 44%, with 22% fat and 25% carbohydrates.
This analysis shows that this dog food includes an above-average level of protein intake and just near-average fat. At the same time, the carbs are below average compared to a portion of typical canned dog food.
Another factor making it a low-quality dog food is that it has;artificial colorings added;to it, which is useless and not preferred.
Do You Need To Give Your Cat Iams For Vitality
For our ageing cats, theres no need to wait for extra weight. Whether your senior cat is 7, or 11 years old IAMS for Vitality Senior 7+ is a simple senior solution. It contains lower fat and calories*** to help prevent middle age spread before it starts, plus it also supports a more mature or senior cats:
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Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food
The closest thing to a natural protein in Pedigree is chicken by-product meal. This ingredient isn’t great and can come from unwanted leftovers from a variety of sources.
Ground whole corn and corn gluten meal are also used. A variety of synthetic colors are also utilized, making this formula an unhealthy choice all around.
Iams Proactive Health Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food All Breed Sizes
Iams offers puppy food tailored for large breed and small breed dogs. This size-specific puppy food is not widely available. We could not confirm if this product is in the process of being discontinued by Iams or if there is an unknown, temporary delay in production.
Much like the dry puppy food intended for all breed sizes, this large breed version does not vary greatly in ingredients or benefits for your puppy. The ratio of nutrients may be more tailored for a large breed dog. This large breed puppy food contains a complete and balanced formula for wellness of every part of your puppy.
Your puppy will benefit from cognitive-boosting D.H.A., lean protein, and essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. It does contain byproducts and fillers. Some puppies may encounter stomach distress or diarrhea after eating this puppy food.
If your puppy prefers or requires wet dog food, then Iams has an option thats ideal for both puppies and senior dogs. The classic pâté meal is packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals, along with omega fatty acids.
This complete and balanced wet dog food supports your puppys skin and coat health, energy level, cognitive development, and muscle strength. Puppies seem to enjoy the slow-cooked taste in real broth.
- Includes sodium nitrate
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Is Iams Good For Dogs On The Nutritional Front
Below you can see the nutritional breakdown for the food that weve selected to review. While there will be some variances, most dog food manufacturers have pretty similar ingredients and breakdowns across all of their recipes, so this should give you a pretty good idea of what to expect from them.
The carbohydrate percentage for this food is particularly high, and this can often be a problem for dogs. For starters, this is usually a sign of a food that is full of low nutritional value ingredients, like corn.
That means that your dog is likely not getting as much nutrition as he could be with a better food. However, some dogs also have difficulties digesting large amounts of carbohydrates, and they can experience issues with vomiting and diarrhea if they are sensitive to these ingredients.
The protein percentage is also much lower than wed like, and this is also often a sign of a low quality dog food. However, you cant base your analysis on this alone, because sometimes dog food companies will use a high protein vegetable like peas to artificially raise the protein count.
While peas are an okay ingredient, they shouldnt be the main ingredient, and pea protein is never as good as healthy meat proteins for your pup, so keep that in mind while doing your shopping.
If youd like to feed your dog a higher quality diet, then its best to opt for a low carb and high protein food which derives most of its protein from high-quality meat items like salmon, beef, turkey, etc.
Wegmans Bruiser Kibble Variety Mix
This brand of dry dog food has ingredients that have been considered dangerous for dogs to eat, including BHA, xantham gum, BHT, corn gluten, and food coloring.
Wegmans Bruiser Kibble Variety Mix demonstrates the motto that you typically get what you pay for.
It is affordable dog food, but if youre looking to give your dog stable nourishment, you should look for an alternative option.
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