Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Food review

It's because of products like Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Food that Iams is what springs to mind when you think of the best dry cat foods. Having taken its place at the forefront of pet shop and supermarket shelves, and the recipient of numerous positive reviews on the likes of Amazon and Chewy, you know where you are with Iams. The Iams Healthy Adult Chicken Cat Food - also featured in our guide to the Best Cat Food of 2020 - boasts on its website to support “overall health with delicious chicken your cat loves”. But is this rather confident statement backed up? We look through the various benefits it offers, and give our verdict on whether it deserves its trusted reputation among pet owners everywhere...

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Iams has gone to great pains to emphasise the health qualities of its dry food. With protein-rich chicken as its main component, the rest of its ingredients are similarly geared towards giving your cat a balanced diet.

There’s calcium and potassium for a healthy heart, and crunchy kibble (which cats especially go for) to reduce the chance of plaque build-up on teeth. A fibre blend with prebiotics and beet pulp helps to aid the digestive process, and the Optimal Omega 6:3 ratio will go some way to ensuring a shiny and glossy coat of fur.

But while the health benefits are undeniable, and the Iams name confidence-inspiring, it’s by no means perfect. Some of the formulas are high in carbohydrates, which means it might not be ideal for cats who aren’t especially active. It might be an idea for older cats to steer clear of it then.

Moreover, several types of corn are present, meaning it might not be ideal for cats with allergies or fragile digestive systems. 

What product type to go for probably depends on your location. The Proactive range which we’re talking about here is more widely available in the US, while in the UK, the Vitality range might be the preferred option. Either way, they’re both extensively backed by veterinarians, so you can be rest assured whichever product you choose.

Ultimately the positive aspects of the Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Food outweigh the negatives. Iams is a recognizable brand name that you can trust, and judging by the multitude of positive reviews out there, it’s very likely that your cat will agree.

Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Food: User Reviews 

A number of the user reviews for the Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Food out there report some health benefits that have not previously been mentioned. For instance, cats who had previously suffered from vomiting and diarrhoea seemed to improve upon switching to Iams. 

In a number of cases, bowel movements have apparently become less frequent on this food. One perhaps rather too detailed review describes the resulting faeces as less “offensive”. So that’s a win all round then.

Other claimed health benefits are backed up by users. Plenty have reported their cats as being healthier and happier on their new diet, and remarks are made on the newfound glossiness of their coats. It can even be beneficial to elderly cats - one review described soaking the dry food in water to make it easier for their toothless cat to digest.

One user even shaved their cat’s mid-length coat in order to observe the difference when it grew back. While we wouldn’t recommend going to these lengths, it’s interesting to know that the results of eating this food seem to back up Iams’ claims.

In terms of negatives, the most common complaint seems to be related to the packaging being difficult to open and seal. There’s the occasional suspicion of the formula being tweaked due to their cat suddenly going off it, but these appear to be isolated mentions. Some reviews complain about the price too, although you’d be hard-pressed to find a review of any product where this isn’t the case.

Should you buy the Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Food?

If you’re looking for a balanced and nutritional food for your cat, then you can’t go wrong with Iams Proactive Health Adult Dry Food. Suitable especially for younger and middle-aged cats, it is ideal for ensuring their continued happiness and wellbeing, and contributing to good digestive health. If your cat has allergies to food like corn then it might be advisable to look elsewhere, but apart from that, there are few negatives to assign to it. Iams has its positive reputation for a reason, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to cat owners both new and old. Be sure to check out more dry food options in our round up of the best dry cat foods.