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Iams vs Essence

Iams vs. Essence

In this comparison article for Iams vs Essence, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Iams and Essence, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Essence vs Iams comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Iams Review Page or Essence Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Essence vs. Iams

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Iams Dog Food vs. Essence Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodIamsEssence
Crude Protein27.6%40.9%
Crude Fat14.9%19.3%
Crude Fiber5.2%5.7%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodIamsEssence
Crude Protein40.9%46.2%
Crude Fat23.4%32.6%
Crude Fiber5.4%6.0%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.

The comparison table above shows that Essence dry dog foods provide significantly more protein than Iams. More specifically, Essence guarantees at least 13.23% more protein. For wet dog foods, Essence provides more protein (about 5.33% more).


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

There is a relatively large difference between the fat content of Essence and Iams. On average, Iams dry dog food recipes contain 4.42% less fat than Essence recipes. In addition, Essence wet dog foods also provide more fat than Iams wet foods.


There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands. With regards to wet dog food, Essence and Iams also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Iams Cat Food vs. Essence Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodIamsEssence
Crude Protein35.7%44.1%
Crude Fat15.9%18.5%
Crude Fiber4.6%4.8%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodIamsEssence
Crude Protein46.7%46.2%
Crude Fat21.8%31.8%
Crude Fiber4.9%4.8%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.

Essence dry cat foods clearly provides more protein than Iams. In fact, the difference between the protein content is roughly 8.35%, which is a significant amount. For wet cat foods, Iams and Essence provide roughly the same amount of protein.


Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

  • Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
  • Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

There is a small difference between the fat content of Essence and Iams. We can see that Essence guarantees about 2.62% more fat than Iams. In addition, Essence wet cat foods also provide more fat than Iams wet foods.


Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet cat food, Iams and Essence also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Iams Pet Food Ingredients vs. Essence Pet Food Ingredients

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Iams.

Liver
Caramel
Beet Pulp
Corn Meal
Canola Oil
Corn Grits
Iron Oxide
Fish Digest
Ground Corn
Pea Protein
Brewers Rice
Wheat Gluten
Caramel Color
Vegetable Oil
Feeding Oatmeal
Poultry Giblets
Corn Gluten Meal
Meat By-Products
Powdered Cellulose
Chicken By-Products
Dried Tomato Pomace
Dried Meat By-Products
Chicken By-Product Meal
Ground Whole Grain Corn
Poultry By-Product Meal
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Iams.

Blue 2
Red 40
Yellow 5
Yellow 6
Added Color
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Iams & Essence?

Iams has been recalled 2 times.

  • Aug. 14, 2013: Salmonella
  • July 30, 2010: Salmonella

According to our records, Essence has never been recalled.

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodIamsEssence
Per Pound$1.52$4.11
Per Calorie$0.0009$0.0024
Dry Cat FoodIamsEssence
Per Pound$2.03$4.64
Per Calorie$0.0012$0.0027
Wet Dog FoodIamsEssence
Per Pound$1.90$4.99
Per Calorie$0.0038$0.0090
Wet Cat FoodIamsEssence
Per Pound$6.97$5.98
Per Calorie$0.0151$0.0103

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Iams or Essence, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Iams or Essence will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Iams and Essence. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Iams Pet Foods

You can purchase Iams pet foods from the following stores:


33 Recipes In-Stock Today

15 Recipes In-Stock Today

24 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Essence Pet Foods

You can purchase Essence pet food products from these retailers:


12 Recipes In-Stock Today

13 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductIamsEssence
Dry Dog Food24 Recipes6 Recipes
Wet Dog Food8 Recipes6 Recipes
Dog TreatsNoneNone
Dry Cat Food13 Recipes3 Recipes
Wet Cat Food13 Recipes3 Recipes
Cat Treats2 TreatsNone

Top Rated Iams Recipes

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Top Rated Essence Recipes

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Original Ranch & Meadow Recipe For Dogs
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Original Air & Gamefowl Recipe For Dogs (Canned)
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Original Air & Gamefowl Recipe For Cats
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Original Ranch & Meadow Recipe For Cats (Canned)
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