IAMS pet food is made in the USA at Mars Petcare manufacturing facilities, including plants in Lewisburg, Ohio, Aurora, Nebraska, and Henderson, North Carolina.
IAMS is owned by Mars Incorporated everywhere except Europe, where the brand belongs to Spectrum Brands.
IAMS has changed corporate hands twice since its founding, moving from independent ownership to Procter and Gamble and then to Mars in 2014.
This article covers who owns IAMS today, where it is actually manufactured, whether the ingredient quality holds up, and its founding history.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns IAMS?
IAMS is owned by Mars Incorporated worldwide, with the exception of Europe, where Spectrum Brands holds the rights.
Current products are shown on IAMS’s official website.
Procter and Gamble purchased IAMS from founder era owner Clay Mathile in 1999 for 2.3 billion dollars.
P&G then sold IAMS, along with sister brand Eukanuba, to Mars in 2014 for 2.9 billion dollars, and sold the separate European IAMS and Eukanuba business to Spectrum Brands that same year.
Mars Petcare now operates IAMS alongside nearly 40 other pet food and care brands, including Pedigree, Royal Canin, Cesar, and Nutro.
Where Is IAMS Pet Food Made?
IAMS pet food sold in North America is manufactured domestically at Mars Petcare facilities, including plants in Lewisburg, Ohio, Aurora, Nebraska, and Henderson, North Carolina.
IAMS products sold in Europe are produced separately under Spectrum Brands.
While manufacturing is domestic, some ingredients are sourced globally.
Mars has publicly stated it sources beef and soy from countries including Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, and sources some wild caught fish from Asia Pacific and European waters.
IAMS product pages do not break down country of origin for individual ingredients, so shoppers looking for that level of detail need to consult Mars’s general supply chain disclosures.
Has IAMS Ever Been Recalled?
IAMS was affected by the widespread 2007 melamine contamination crisis that hit dozens of pet food brands, forcing IAMS to pull more than 40 products from shelves at the time.
Since then, IAMS has had a smaller number of recalls, including a 2011 recall of one Smart Puppy formula over possible aflatoxin contamination.
A 2013 recall was tied to potential salmonella contamination across several products, alongside a separate 2013 recall of Shakeable Treats due to mold found inside packaging.
A 2016 recall covered a limited run of wet food after testing found vitamin and mineral levels below label claims, though the company said the affected food was not considered dangerous.
IAMS has not had a major recall since that time, and most comparison sites tracking pet food safety records describe its recent history as stable relative to other mainstream brands.
IAMS vs Purina Pro Plan: How Do They Compare?
IAMS and Purina Pro Plan are frequently compared since both are widely available at grocery and big box stores, but they occupy different tiers.
Purina Pro Plan, launched in 1986 as Nestle Purina’s premium line, is backed by a dedicated nutrition research team and is commonly recommended by veterinarians.
Purina Pro Plan even offers therapeutic Veterinary Diets formulas aimed at dogs with diagnosed health conditions, a category IAMS does not compete in.
IAMS positions itself as a more affordable everyday option.
Most side by side comparisons describe the two brands as using broadly comparable ingredient quality at their respective lower price points, with Purina’s higher end formulas generally featuring more real meat.
Both brands have recall histories typical of large scale pet food manufacturers, and neither has had a major safety incident in recent years.
When Was IAMS Founded?
IAMS was founded in 1946 in Dayton, Ohio, by Paul Iams, an animal nutritionist who studied at Ohio State University.
He set out to develop a more scientifically formulated alternative to homemade pet food.
Iams opened his first manufacturing plant in 1950 and launched IAMS 999, an early animal protein based pet food.
The company later introduced Eukanuba as a premium line in 1976, positioning it above the standard IAMS lineup.
Clay Mathile purchased IAMS in 1982 and grew annual revenue from roughly 100,000 dollars in 1970 to 900 million dollars by 1999.
He sold the company to Procter and Gamble that year, setting up the ownership changes that eventually brought IAMS to Mars in 2014.
Is IAMS Good Pet Food?
Review sites geared toward budget conscious pet owners, including Dogster, generally describe IAMS as a reasonable option that lists real chicken as the first ingredient.
They call it a solid choice for owners balancing cost and quality.
More ingredient focused analysis sites are more critical.
Dog Food Reviews and Dogs Naturally both flag IAMS dry formulas for high carbohydrate content, averaging close to 50 percent.
They also point to the use of unnamed animal by-products, added synthetic vitamins, and fillers like dried beet pulp as signs of a heavily processed, lower cost formula.
Some pet owners have also reported batch inconsistency following formula changes in 2023 and 2024, including altered smell or appearance and pets refusing food from newer bags.
IAMS remains one of the more affordable widely available pet food brands, and most reviewers frame it as an acceptable everyday option rather than a premium formula.
Owners of pets with specific health needs are generally advised to consult a veterinarian about whether it fits their dog’s or cat’s nutritional needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes IAMS
Is IAMS made in the USA?
Yes, IAMS pet food sold in North America is manufactured domestically at Mars Petcare facilities in Ohio, Nebraska, and North Carolina, though some ingredients are sourced internationally.
Does Mars own IAMS everywhere?
No, Mars owns IAMS worldwide except in Europe, where Spectrum Brands holds the rights following a separate 2014 sale by Procter and Gamble.
Is IAMS the same as Eukanuba?
No, IAMS and Eukanuba are separate but related brands, both created by the same original company and now both owned by Mars outside Europe. Eukanuba is generally positioned as the more premium line of the two.
Who founded IAMS?
IAMS was founded in 1946 by Paul Iams, an animal nutritionist based in Dayton, Ohio. The company was later purchased by Clay Mathile in 1982 before eventually being sold to Procter and Gamble and then Mars.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.