The Best IAMS Kitten Food: Reviewed And Ranked

The kitten stage is one of the most important aspects of your pet’s life as providing the right nutrition from the start will ensure that your feline friend grows strong and healthy. The nutritional needs off a kitten differs greatly to those of an adult or a senior, which is why it’s important to feed specialized kitten food that is designed specifically for that life stage.

There are many different features to consider when shopping for kitten food. These can include whether you’re looking for a wet, dry, or canned food, and if your kitten is just weaning off of their mother’s milk. You may also be searching for special formulas, such as grain-free, organic, sensitive stomachs, or vet recommended.

The number one ingredient in IAMS cat food is high-quality animal protein. It is gluten-free and free of artificial preservatives and colors. They also claim to offer complete and balanced nourishment without the use of fillers. Their cat food is divided into two very self-explanatory categories. The first is based on age and level of activity. The second line is for special dietary needs.

For this review, we looked at a lot of ingredient lists and nutritional labels to see which cat foods are the best. We’ve reviewed a selection of the best options, and we’ve provided a detailed buyer’s guide to help you make the perfect choice for your pet.

The Top Picks for IAMS Kitten Food

#1 Best Overall: IAMS ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food

Our selection as the best overall is the IAMS ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food.

This food is specially formulated for a kitten’s first year of feline adventures. Chicken is the main ingredient in this high-protein kitten kibble, which comes in bite-sized pieces that are easy to swallow. 

This dry kitten food helps young cats develop strong immune systems by providing nutrients similar to those found in their mother’s milk. This mix also contains omega-3 DHA for brain growth. Plus, it features prebiotics and beet pulp to aid digestion in your kitten. 

Get your paws on this and keep your kittens happy, healthy, and ready to pounce as they grow into adulthood if you’re looking for kitten food to support healthy development for your kitten’s first year. The only drawback to this food is that some customers reported that their kittens did not like it.

Pros and Cons of the IAMS ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food

Best Overall

Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food

• Specially formulated for a kitten's first year of life
• Chicken is the main ingredient
• This high-protein kibble is kitten-sized
• Features ingredients that help kittens develop strong immune systems
• Includes omega-3 DHA for brain growth and prebiotics and beet pulp for healthy digestion

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2. Best for Indoor Cats: IAMS ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food

For your indoor kitties we recommend the IAMS ProActive Health Indoor Weight and Hairball Care Dry Cat Food.

The principal protein sources in this dry cat food are chicken and chicken by-product meals. This is a low-calorie, high-fiber meal aimed at cat guardians who keep their cats indoors. These characteristics help to control indoor cats’ propensity to become obese and generate hairballs.

Following the meat, ingredients are a mix of grains, including corn grits, corn gluten meal, and ground whole grain sorghum. Fiber comes from dried beet pulp and is designed to help prevent hairballs from forming. Fish oil is used as an omega-3 fatty acid source in the meal, while the food also contains L-carnitine to promote a healthy metabolism. Again, the only issue that we could find with this food is that some cats do not like it.

Pros and Cons of the IAMS ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food

Best for Indoor Cats

IAMS ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food

• Formulated for indoor cats
• Helps to control obesity and hairballs
• The first two ingredients and chicken and chicken by-product meal
• Contains fish oil for omega-3 fatty acid
• Each cup contains 332 calories

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3. Best Wet Food: IAMS Perfect Portions Healthy Kitten Chicken Recipe Pate Grain-Free Cat Food Trays

Our selection as the best wet food option is the IAMS Perfect Portions Healthy Kitten Chicken Recipe Pate Grain-Free Cat Food Trays.

This delicious pate recipe features chicken as the first ingredient. It is nutritionally beneficial to kittens as it contains DHA and other nutrients that can be found in their mother’s milk. It also features antioxidants and vitamin E which support a healthy immune system. This food is completely free from fillers, grains, and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Each tray has an easy-peel lid and contains two meals for your furry friend.

Although this food is grain-free it is important to remember that a grain-free diet may not be suitable for all pets. Also, some customers have complained that although the trays are designed to be easy-peel the lids can sometimes be difficult to open.

Pros and Cons of the IAMS Perfect Portions Healthy Kitten Chicken Recipe Pate Grain-Free Cat Food Trays

Best Wet Food

IAMS Perfect Portions Healthy Kitten Chicken Recipe Pate Grain-Free Cat Food Trays

• The main ingredient is flaked tuna
• The main fat source is sunflower oil, which isn't generally considered to be a carnivore-appropriate
• The sauce includes modified tapioca starch, guar gum, and carrageenan; the latter has been linked to inflammation and other issues
• The protein content is substantial, with low fat and moderate carbohydrates
• Each 3-ounce can contains 85 calories

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4. Best for Strong, Lean Muscles: IAMS Proactive Health Multi-Cat Salmon & Chicken Cat Food

The best food to aid the development of muscles is the IAMS Proactive Health Multi-Cat Salmon and Chicken Cat Food.

This recipe considers the nutritional needs of all cats, independent of age, weight, or body shape. It contains various vitamins and minerals to provide all-around nutrition for your cats and long, happy life. Salmon is the first ingredient, and the food’s high animal protein content, along with L-carnitine, aids in the maintenance of strong, lean muscle in cats. 

The unique blend of fibers aids hairball-prone cats by ensuring that eaten hair travels smoothly through the digestive tract. It also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which promote a healthy skin and coat. Plus, this food is high in important vitamins and minerals. These are essential in maintaining a healthy immune system, heart, eyesight, and other vital organs. The recipe, as a whole, helps to keep the pH of your urine at a healthy level, which assists in preventing urinary tract infections.

Unfortunately, this food is a more expensive option than some of the others. Also, some customers have reported that some cats do not like this food.

Pros and Cons of the IAMS ProActive Health Salmon Recipe Dry Cat Food

Best for Strong, Lean Muscles

IAMS ProActive Health Salmon Recipe Dry Cat Food

• Formulated for kittens and cats of all ages
• Complete and balanced dry cat food
• Provides nutrients to maintain a healthy weight
• Particularly convenient for multi-cat households
• Contains L-carnitine to maintain strong, lean muscle

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

When choosing the best IAMS kitten food, there are really three factors you need to consider. The life stage and lifestyle of the cat, type of food, and cost. Here is how to consider the best across each of these factors:

Cat’s Life Stage and Lifestyle

Life phases include kittens, adult cats, nursing mothers, and mature or elderly cats, all of whom have varying nutritional needs. Your cat’s dietary requirements will also differ depending on their lifestyle. 

A cat who spends much of its time guarding the couch does not require as much energy as one who enjoys exploring the outdoors. Is it necessary for your cat to lose a few pounds to maintain a healthy weight?

Finally, consider any unusual medical ailments your cat could have, such as urinary tract troubles, sensitive digestion, or a dull, dry coat. Plus, your veterinarian may recommend a particular diet if your cat has food allergies.

Dry or Wet Cat Food

Once you’ve determined your cat’s life stage and lifestyle needs, decide whether to feed dry or wet food. Most cats thrive on only dry food. This type of food promotes oral hygiene and health as they crunch it up. 

Some cats, especially picky eaters, enjoy the smooth, wet texture of canned food. Many owners also mix wet food and dry to give their cats the best of both worlds! Remember: While dry food can be left in a bowl all day, wet food should be thrown away after 30 minutes if not eaten. 

Compare Prices

The adage “you get what you pay for” is certainly true regarding cat food. A low price could suggest low-cost materials or ingredients that alter with manufacturing pricing. While pricing is a significant consideration, it should not be the sole one.

Furthermore, many lower-cost goods propose eating larger daily servings to get the same amount of nutrition as a high-quality diet. To better understand the cost, consider the cost per feeding rather than the total cost.

Divide the total cost by the number of days the product lasts to get the price per feeding for cat food. A 20-pound bag of food costs $18.99 and lasts 30 days; for example, costs $0.63 each day. A $15.99 20-pound bag that lasts 20 days costs $0.80 daily. From both a nutritional and a financial aspect, high-quality pet meals tend to come out on top when compared closely.

Up Next

• The Best Kitten Food — Check out the very best kitten food here.
• The Best Dry Food for Your Kitten: Reviewed — Take a look at the best dry kitten food on the market.
• The Best Royal Canin Wet Kitten Food — Does your kitten prefer wet food? Look no further than these top options.