Iams is BAD???? From the fat cat posting

Okay ladies... why is Iams bad? My Vet didn't say anything bad about Iams in the past...

I have 3 kitties. I had them all on Science Diet Oral Care mixed with Science Diet Adult regular formula... unfortunately our youngest kitty was throwing up and got a horrible infection on her back. The Vet said the infection was due to an allergy of some sort. Also, when she'd throw up - the SD regular formula was so tiny - she apparently was not chewing it and it would come up whole (sorry for the gross details). The infection came back 3 times - everytime the anti-biotic was finished.

Then, in a desparate attempt to make her better, since the Vet felt it was some kind of allergy, I had changed the food to a mixture of Iams regular adult formula and SD oral care (I have one with teeth issues). Little kitty isn't throwing up anymore and her infection finally went away permanently even though it started to come back again. After changing the food the infection the 4th time went away on it's own shortly after I changed the food without antibiotics! The Iams is triangular shaped and I watch her eat it and she actually chews it. If Iams is really that bad anyone know of anything else with a texture that would force a kitty to chew? Small kibbles makes the lazy one swallow them whole.

Re: Iams is BAD???? From the fat cat posting

There was a story a couple of years ago from PETA about how bad the conditions were (serious torture) of the animals they tested the food on. The story makes the rounds on the internet regularly. Supposedly they have since cleaned up their act.

The best thing to do is read up on cat nutritional needs...ie NOT corn and grain and more protein. The thinking is that the diet should mimic what they eat in the wild.

On the scale of food, Iams is probably much better than grocery store kibble, and not as good as perspription food.

Baja loves Nutro, he chows it down and he has to chew, its kinda big (has a hole in the middle).

Re: Iams is BAD???? From the fat cat posting

yes Iams is bad. Science Diet is worse though.
Dont feed your animals with any 'bi-product' or 'meal' (ie. 'lamb meal', 'corn meal')

Re: Iams is BAD???? From the fat cat posting

I think a lot of people don't like Iams because its ingredients are not that good for the price. It has a lot of corn in it (not bad in itself, but not the best protein source) and it uses by-products, which are loosly defined and don't include actual meat. Actually, there is nothing wrong with feeding a food that has 'meal' in it -- say chicken meal or lamb meal. You just want to stay away from anything that is not specific, like 'meat meal' since you don't know what type of meat it is.

Re: Iams is BAD???? From the fat cat posting

Yeah, I was wondering because my kitty that had the infection was a rescue who was in pretty bad shape when I got her (very thin and malnurished looking, bad dandriff - she's all black so you can see flakes very easily) and since changing her food to Iams - she's doing amazing - she's healthy looking, coat shines, eyes nice and clear, etc. This was a kitty who hid behind my basement toilet for 2 weeks : ( b/c she was terrified of people so we had to resocialize her. The Vet didn't complain when I told her what they eat. I certainly wouldn't be the type that would do anything to condone animal cruelty, but I have some concerns with the story about the manufacturer torturing animals. You just never know what to believe these days. I never saw anything about it on the Humane Society Web site that I visit regularly. I've heard some pretty sick stories though about other foods and what some of their mystery 'by-products' may include. I'm greatful for the input. Unfortunately too, one of my other cats, the siamese mix is a very finicky eater - she will not eat anything but Iams and it has to be chicken flavor! I got a sample of meow mix in the mail... I'm thinking of donating it to a shelter since I know they could use the food. I also have about 5lbs of the cat food my one kitty was allergic to, but it's open... anyone know of any shelters/rescue groups that may take it? It's been in one of those big plastic air tight containers. I'd hate to throw it out when another kitty could use it.