Congratulations to our winner, Elena! I hope your pet loves the food!
I spend a lot of time reading pet food labels. I usually have to shoo off at least three well meaning but unhelpful store employees every time I’m at the store. Sometimes I’m reading to make sure it’s a good choice for Brody and Koa, and sometimes I just pick up a bag of cheapie food to remind myself of the crummy stuff that’s out there.
I know I’m not alone in this- it seems like every time I go into the store, from a pet food boutique to a big-box super center, the pet food section is devoting an increasing amount of space to premium foods. Fortunately for us, pet food manufacturers are also taking note of this trend and coming up with lines that appeal to the more particular buyers out there.
This week, Iams launched 2 new products in its Healthy Natural Line: Sensitive Naturals and Simple and Natural. To get a little more information on the new products, I conducted an e-mail interview with Dr. Marcie Campion, a nutritionist at Iams. And for one winner I have a 25 pound bag of either formula to give away.
Q: Iams Sensitive Naturals and Simple and Natural are the two new products in the Iams Naturals line. What’s the difference between the two?
A: IAMS Sensitive Naturals is perfect for dogs with ingredient sensitivities and avoids common ingredients that can cause itching and scratching – which we know isn’t fun for you or your furry friends!
IAMS Simple & Natural is made for dogs for 100% nutrition and contains no fillers. The number one ingredient in the new Sensitive Naturals recipe is ocean fish and Simple & Natural has real chicken as the number one ingredient. Neither of the new recipes contain corn, wheat, soy or meat by-products.*
*Official Feed Term, AAFCO
Q: Who is the target dog for these products?
A: IAMS Sensitive Naturals is ideal for dogs with ingredient sensitivities. We also know that some dog owners prefer a food that’s made simply, so IAMS Simple & Natural has real chicken as the number one ingredient.
Q: What are the sources of the ingredients in these diets? Do any of them come from China?
A: No, all of our ingredients for these recipes are sourced in North America (none are from China).
Q: Are these diets appropriate for pets of any age?
A: IAMS Simple & Natural and IAMS Sensitive Naturals recipes are made for adult dogs. Our Healthy Naturals are made in different recipes including one for puppies, two for adults (chicken and lamb meal) and weight control. Healthy Naturals also comes in three cat recipes, two adult (chicken and Atlantic salmon) and one weight control.
Q: What is/are the biggest misconception(s) you hear from people regarding commercial pet food? Anything in particular that you, as a veterinary nutritionist, would like to clear up?
I think the topic of animal testing is a huge misconception. While there are various types of tests to ensure a balanced nutritional diet, which all depends on the dogs size, age and breed. It’s important to note that our tests primarily consist of taste-testing and we restrict the types of studies we conduct to only those acceptable to human volunteers. This means no invasive or terminal studies are permitted.
Q: Would you recommend either of these for pets whose owner suspects food allergies? How do you differentiate an ingredient sensitivity from a food allergy?*
A: Well, only your vet can determine if your pet has food allergies. Many allergic reactions, such as excessive itching and scratching, can possibly be caused by sensitivities to certain ingredients. If it turns out they have sensitivities to certain ingredients, IAMS Sensitive Naturals could be great for them. But, again, only your vet can determine exactly what is best for your pet.
*My doctorly interjection: I asked that question to get across the point that dietary intolerances and sensitivities are often confused with food allergies, which should be diagnosed by a veterinarian. While these products have a good ingredient profile, they don’t fit the definition of a single source novel protein or hypoallergenic diet, which would be the diets of choice for a truly food allergic pet.
Giveaway!
Iams is providing a coupon for a 25 pound bag of either Iams Sensitive Naturals or Iams Simple and Natural for one lucky winner. You won’t be getting a bag in the mail, just the coupon, so as long as you live somewhere where this is in stores you can participate in the contest.
There are cat foods in the Naturals line, but the two featured here in the giveaway are dog food only. But hey, you all got the Wellness giveaway last week, so it all balances out.
To enter: Leave a comment with which diet you’d be interested in trying- the fish based Sensitive Naturals or the chicken based Simple and Natural. You can comment once a day for up to 7 entries.
Deadline: 11:59 PM PST July 19, 2011.
As an Iams representative, Spike isn’t eligible for the giveaway- sorry dude! But the rest of you are!
My girls would love the Simple and Natural line. They are all about IAMS products & have been for years! Thanks for the info, Dr. V.
Hi I have been researching different dog foods for a while now because I would like to change my dog’s food to see if her skin break outs subside. I just learned about the Iams Sensitive Naturals food. I would really like to try it! Thanks!
My dog would love the simple and natural.
Lola is a simple and natural gal so she would love to try the chicken simple and natural!
I took a vote, Sunday wants the Sensitive Naturals and Tinker Lilly would like the chicken based Simple and Natural. The cat refrained from voting.
I think Iams Simple and Natural would be great to try out!
I would like to try feeding the Simple and Natural to my two dogs. I buy them Grain free, it would be nice to try the Iam’s diet.
I would like to try Sensitives Naturals. boxer has to go to vet once a month for shots. rubs himself raw.
I’d like to try Sensitive Naturals, one of my babies tends to get skin issues, and I’d like to see if a change in food will help.
I would like to try the simple and natural for my dogs
My dogs would love to try the chicken based Simple and Natural Iams food. They currently eat Iams food and like it better than any other brand.
I would like the Simple and Natural for my Alaskan Malamutes.
Simple and Natural for my senior citizen Golden.
Sensitive Natural for my 2 food allergic 10 year olds. No more boo-boos please!
I would like to get chicken based Simple and Natural
Simple and Natural would be the way to go for my dogs.
My dachsund Chili has food allergies to alot of items. I have been trying to find a dog food with a fish based protien and no corn. Iams Sensitve Natural seems to be the right fit! Thanks!!!
My dog really likes Iams food. I hope to win Chicken Based Simple and Natural.
Rosie wants to try Sensitive Naturals!
I would like the Simple and Natural for my Alaskan Malamutes.
Dijon wants to try the sensitive natural .she is using the mini chunks and is very itchy. Can’t find it in stores yet.
awesome!!! We love iams–the simple and natural would work, thanks for offering this!!
oh boy, i think the sensitive naturals sounds delicious for my tummy!
We haven’t tried Iams because they haven’t had a great allergy food until now! Read the label and it looks GOOD. The price is reasonable too. Hope mine like it.
i am interested in the simple and Natural.
I would love to try the chicken based simple and natural. These sound like great foods, I will have to give them try.
We want to try Sensitive Naturals!
would love the simple and natural
I would like the Simple and Natural for my two dogs who add some much love and joy to our lives.
i am interested in the simple and Natural
I hope to win Chicken Based Simple and Natural.
Would love to win the Simple and Natural product…I am excited to try these products, I am glad to see that they made these.
Simple and Natural would be my choice for my sweet dogs.
simple and natural
Sensitive Naturals!
I’d like to win Chicken Based Simple and Natural for my dog.
I would like the Simple and Natural for my two dogs, Kouga and Milele.
We are rescuing an eighteen month old cocker. After owning cockers for years, I’d rather be safe than sorry and and do the Sensitive Naturals. I want to start out right with this new addition to our family. We have waited for two years after losing our 14 year old cocker spaniel to find the next member of our family. I want to start out the best.
I have a vizsla that just recently has succumbed to allergies. We have been buying prescription dog food and haven’t seen much in results and their must not be any flavor because he isn’t excited to eat it. We are eager to try anything new that might work plus have flavor! I’m wondering if sensitive naturals ocean fish, rice and barley would work and be tasty?!! I like the fact that their are no chicken, corn, wheat and soy!!!!
I am going to try the Iams Sensitive Natural fish as my lab has severe allergies. She is allergic to the chicken protien plus can not have corn, soy or wheat So excited to try the new product and would love to have a chance at winning a bag.