About Iams
Iams: Pioneering Premium Pet Nutrition Since 1946 Introduction to Iams Iams has been at the forefront of pet nutrition for over 75 years, delivering scientifically formulated food that keeps dogs and cats healthy, active, and happy. Founded by animal nutritionist Paul F. Iams, the brand pioneered high-protein, animal-based pet food that transformed how we feed our pets. From the revolutionary insight that dogs thrive on protein-rich diets to today's comprehensive life stage formulas, Iams has consistently pushed boundaries in pet nutrition. The brand's commitment to quality ingredients, research-based formulation, and complete balanced nutrition has made it a trusted choice for pet owners seeking premium food at accessible prices. At Grocefully, we help you compare Iams prices across UK retailers, ensuring you can provide your pets with premium nutrition at the best available prices. Whether you need dog food, cat food, puppy food, or senior formulas, price comparison helps you care for your pets whilst managing costs. The Iams Story: From Mink Ranch Insight to Global Pet Nutrition Leader Iams represents remarkable pet food innovation built on scientific curiosity. Paul F. Iams: The Founder Paul Falknor Iams (1915-2004) was born in Dayton, Ohio, a talented athlete who won the Ohio State Tennis Championship in 1933. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1937 and became interested in the pet food business whilst working with his father Harry, a grain broker. After working as a soap salesman at Procter & Gamble and serving in the Navy during World War II, Paul Iams returned with ideas that would revolutionise pet food. The Mink Ranch Revelation The founding insight came from an unlikely source. During the 1940s, pet food wasn't available in stores — animals were predominantly fed homemade food, usually table scraps. Paul Iams, by now a qualified animal nutritionist, visited a mink ranch in 1946 and noticed something remarkable. The dogs working on the mink ranch seemed exceptionally healthy, with beautiful, shiny coats. Investigation revealed these dogs were eating the same high-protein food as the minks themselves. This observation convinced Paul Iams that dogs needed higher protein, higher fat food than was commercially available. 1946: The Company Is Born Paul Iams founded the Iams Company in 1946 in a small feed mill near Dayton, Ohio. His mission was clear: create pet food that delivered the nutrition he'd observed benefiting those mink ranch dogs. This was revolutionary thinking. The prevailing wisdom treated pet food as a disposal solution for food industry by-products rather than optimised nutrition for companion animals. Iams 999: Nearly Perfect In 1950, Paul Iams opened his first manufacturing plant in Dayton, Ohio with five employees. He named his first dog food "Iams 999" — the number chosen to imply the food was nearly perfect, just one digit short of 1000. This naming reflected Paul Iams's ambition and confidence in his formulation whilst acknowledging the pursuit of perfection was ongoing. World's First Animal-Based Protein Dry Dog Food In the 1950s, Iams developed the world's first animal-based protein dry dog food. This innovation established the high-protein approach that distinguishes premium pet food to this day. Prior dry foods relied heavily on grain-based proteins. Paul Iams's animal protein focus reflected his understanding that dogs are carnivores requiring animal nutrition. Iams Plus: The First Complete Diet In 1961, Iams Plus launched — called the pet food industry's first complete diet because it required no additives. Through a process Paul Iams developed, this new food was both high in protein and low in harmful minerals. Pet owners could feed Iams Plus confidently knowing it provided everything their dogs needed nutritionally without supplementation. Eukanuba: "Something Supreme" In 1969, Paul Iams wanted to differentiate a new premium formula. He chose the name "Eukanuba" — a term originated by jazz era personality Hoagy Carmichael meaning "the tops" or "something supreme." Eukanuba became the super-premium brand within the Iams portfolio, targeting breeders and serious dog enthusiasts demanding the absolute best nutrition. Ownership Transitions In 1982, Paul Iams sold the business to Clay Mathile, who had joined Iams in 1970 and was Paul's business partner and friend. Under Mathile's leadership, Iams grew significantly. In 1999, the Mathiles sold The Iams Company to Procter & Gamble, bringing Iams under major consumer goods corporate ownership. Mars Acquisition In 2014, Procter & Gamble announced it would sell Iams, Eukanuba, and Natura pet food brands to Mars, Inc. for 2.9 billion dollars in cash — one of P&G's largest divestitures in five years. This sale covered all markets except Europe. Today, Iams is manufactured by Mars, Incorporated worldwide (excluding Europe) and Spectrum Brands in Europe, ensuring global availability with regional manufacturing. The Iams Product Range Iams offers comprehensive nutrition for dogs and cats across all life stages. Dog Food Range Life Stage Formulas: Iams for Vitality Puppy: Optimised nutrition for growing puppies with DHA for brain development. Small breed and large breed specific formulas address different growth requirements. Iams for Vitality Adult: Complete balanced nutrition for adult dogs featuring high-quality animal protein. Formulas include small breed, medium breed, and large breed options recognising different nutritional needs. Iams for Vitality Senior: Tailored nutrition for mature dogs supporting joint health, maintained muscle mass, and healthy ageing. Special Needs: Weight Control: Lower fat formulas for dogs requiring weight management. Sensitive Digestion: Gentle formulas for dogs with digestive sensitivities. Light in Fat: Reduced calorie options maintaining nutritional completeness. Protein Sources: Fresh Chicken: The flagship protein providing highly digestible animal nutrition. Lamb: Alternative protein for variety or sensitivity requirements. Ocean Fish: Fish-based protein providing omega fatty acids. Cat Food Range Life Stage Formulas: Iams for Vitality Kitten: Complete nutrition supporting growth, development, and immune system strength in young cats. Iams for Vitality Adult: Balanced nutrition for adult cats aged one to six years. Fresh chicken provides 87 percent of protein from animal sources. Iams for Vitality Senior: Tailored nutrition for cats aged seven and over, supporting healthy ageing. Special Needs: Hairball Control: Formulas helping manage hairball formation through fibre blend and coat health support. Indoor Cat: Adjusted calorie content for less active indoor cats whilst maintaining complete nutrition. Weight Control: Lower calorie options for cats requiring weight management. Sterilised Cat: Tailored nutrition for neutered cats' changed metabolic needs. Format Options: Dry Food: Kibble formulas available in various sizes from 800g to 12kg. Wet Food: Pouches and tins providing moisture-rich options complementing dry food. Quality and Formulation Understanding Iams's approach explains its premium positioning. High-Quality Animal Protein Iams prioritises animal protein, reflecting Paul Iams's founding insight. Dog formulas feature chicken, lamb, or fish as primary protein sources. Cat formulas deliver 87 percent of protein from animal sources. This animal-first approach distinguishes Iams from economy brands relying heavily on grain proteins. Complete and Balanced Every Iams formula provides 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition meeting strict quality and safety standards. Pets can thrive on Iams alone without requiring supplements or additives. This completeness was Paul Iams's original innovation with Iams Plus — food that required nothing extra. No Fillers or Artificial Additives Iams formulas are free from: Artificial colours Artificial flavours GMO ingredients Unnecessary fillers This clean formulation appeals to pet owners seeking transparent, quality ingredients. Immune System Support Iams formulas include vital vitamins, minerals, and nutrients supporting immune system health. Antioxidant blends and prebiotics promote overall wellness beyond basic nutrition. Digestive Health Tailored fibre blends and prebiotics support healthy digestion. This gut health focus ensures pets absorb maximum nutrition from their food. Shopping for Iams in the UK Iams enjoys extensive UK distribution across multiple channels. Pet Specialist Retailers Pets at Home: Comprehensive Iams range with regular promotions. Jollyes: In-store and online availability with free delivery over thirty-five pounds. PetShop.co.uk: Competitive pricing with free UK delivery. Pet-Supermarket.co.uk: Free and next day delivery options with repeat order savings. Supermarkets Tesco: Stocks Iams cat and dog food in grocery aisles. Other major supermarkets: Iams available in pet food sections. Value Retailers B&M: Extensive Iams range with multi-buy offers (e.g., 2 for eight pounds). Online price comparison through Trolley.co.uk covers Iams across fifteen supermarkets. Direct and Official iams.co.uk provides product information and retailer guidance. Understanding Iams Pricing Iams occupies the premium-accessible position in pet food. Premium Quality, Accessible Pricing Iams prices exceed economy brands but remain accessible compared to super-premium competitors. This positioning delivers genuine quality without luxury pricing. Pack Size Economics Larger packs offer significantly better value per kilogram. The 10kg or 12kg bags suit households with multiple pets or larger dogs. Multi-Buy Offers Retailers frequently offer Iams multi-buy promotions. B&M's "2 for £8" on selected products demonstrates typical promotional value. Repeat Order Discounts Online pet retailers offer subscription discounts for regular deliveries. Pet-Supermarket's Repeat Order programme provides ongoing savings for loyal customers. Practical Tips for Iams Shoppers Match Life Stage Iams formulas are optimised by life stage. Feed puppy/kitten food to young pets, adult food to mature pets, and senior food to older pets for appropriate nutrition. Consider Specific Needs Beyond life stages, consider: Weight concerns: Choose light or weight control formulas Digestive sensitivity: Select sensitive digestion options Indoor cats: Indoor cat formulas adjust for reduced activity Hairball issues: Hairball control formulas address coat maintenance Calculate Monthly Costs Compare prices per kilogram, then multiply by monthly consumption. Larger bags typically offer 20-30 percent savings over smaller packs. Watch for Promotions Pet food frequently features in retailer promotions. Stock up during offers whilst respecting use-by dates. Transition Gradually When switching to Iams, transition gradually over 7-10 days, mixing increasing amounts of Iams with decreasing amounts of previous food. This prevents digestive upset. Iams in UK Pet Culture Iams has earned its place in British pet care. Vet Recognition Veterinarians frequently recommend Iams for pets requiring quality nutrition without super-premium costs. The research-based formulation and complete nutrition credentials support professional endorsement. Breeder Trust Dog and cat breeders often use Iams for breeding animals and recommend it to new puppy and kitten owners. The life stage formulas simplify feeding guidance. Pet Owner Loyalty Multi-generational pet owners often continue with Iams across successive pets, having established trust through positive health outcomes. Accessible Premium Iams makes premium pet nutrition achievable for ordinary households. Quality ingredients and complete formulation deliver tangible benefits without requiring luxury budgets. Conclusion Paul F. Iams's 1946 mink ranch revelation — that dogs thrive on high-protein, animal-based nutrition — created a pet food philosophy that continues serving millions of pets worldwide. From "Iams 999" to today's comprehensive life stage formulas, the brand has consistently prioritised animal protein and complete nutrition. Over 75 years of expertise inform every Iams formula. The commitment to high-quality animal protein, no artificial additives, and complete balanced nutrition delivers on the founder's original vision whilst meeting modern pet nutrition science. Now part of Mars, Incorporated (worldwide except Europe) and Spectrum Brands (Europe), Iams maintains the quality standards that built its reputation whilst benefiting from global resources and distribution. UK pet owners can find Iams at major supermarkets, pet specialists, and online retailers. Using Grocefully to compare Iams prices across UK retailers helps you provide premium nutrition for your pets at the best available prices. For pet owners seeking research-based, high-protein, complete nutrition without super-premium pricing, Iams delivers 75 years of expertise in every bowl.