
Purina Pro Plan vs. Iams
In this comparison article for Purina Pro Plan vs Iams, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Purina Pro Plan and Iams, 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 Iams vs Purina Pro Plan comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Purina Pro Plan Review Page or Iams Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Iams vs. Purina Pro Plan
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.
Purina Pro Plan Dog Food vs. Iams Dog Food
Dry Dog Food | Purina Pro Plan | Iams |
Crude Protein | 31.8% | 27.6% |
Crude Fat | 17.9% | 14.9% |
Crude Fiber | 4.4% | 5.1% |
Wet/Canned Dog Food | Purina Pro Plan | Iams |
Crude Protein | 47.1% | 42.0% |
Crude Fat | 16.9% | 24.0% |
Crude Fiber | 7.2% | 5.8% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food
Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.
Our analysis shows that Purina Pro Plan guarantees 4.18% more protein than Iams dry dog food recipes. In addition, Purina Pro Plan wet dog foods also provide more protein than Iams wet foods.
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.
According to our data, Purina Pro Plan guarantees 2.96% more fat than Iams. Although this difference is relatively small, it's still a notable difference. In addition, Iams wet dog foods also provide more fat than Purina Pro Plan wet foods.
Purina Pro Plan and Iams both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Purina Pro Plan and Iams also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Purina Pro Plan Cat Food vs. Iams Cat Food
Dry Cat Food | Purina Pro Plan | Iams |
Crude Protein | 45.6% | 36.0% |
Crude Fat | 17.5% | 16.8% |
Crude Fiber | 3.5% | 4.3% |
Wet/Canned Cat Food | Purina Pro Plan | Iams |
Crude Protein | 51.0% | 50.5% |
Crude Fat | 18.3% | 19.0% |
Crude Fiber | 6.9% | 14.7% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food
Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.
When you look at the average percentages of crude protein for dry cat food, it's clear that Purina Pro Plan provides significantly more protein. On average, Purina Pro Plan guarantees about 9.60% more protein than Iams. For wet cat foods, Purina Pro Plan and Iams 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 relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. With regards to wet cat food, Iams and Purina Pro Plan also provide roughly the same amount of crude fat.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet cat foods, Iams provides more fiber (about 7.78% more).
Purina Pro Plan Pet Food Ingredients vs. Iams Pet Food Ingredients
Purina Pro Plan and Iams both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Purina Pro Plan.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Iams.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Purina Pro Plan and Iams both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Purina Pro Plan.
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Iams.
Product Safety: Recall History of Purina Pro Plan & Iams?
Purina Pro Plan has been recalled once.
- March 9, 2016: Incorrect Vitamins and Minerals
Iams has been recalled 2 times.
- Aug. 14, 2013: Salmonella
- July 30, 2010: Salmonella
Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?
Dry Dog Food | Purina Pro Plan | Iams |
Per Pound | $1.99 | $1.33 |
Per Calorie | $0.0011 | $0.0008 |
Dry Cat Food | Purina Pro Plan | Iams |
Per Pound | $2.95 | $1.78 |
Per Calorie | $0.0016 | $0.0011 |
Wet Dog Food | Purina Pro Plan | Iams |
Per Pound | $2.86 | $1.72 |
Per Calorie | $0.0063 | $0.0035 |
Wet Cat Food | Purina Pro Plan | Iams |
Per Pound | $4.97 | $5.72 |
Per Calorie | $0.0113 | $0.0110 |
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 Purina Pro Plan or Iams, 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 Purina Pro Plan or Iams will depend on your shopping habits.
Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Purina Pro Plan and Iams. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.
- $10 Off + Free Shipping Orders $60+ @ PetFlow (Use Code SAVENOW)
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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 Purina Pro Plan Pet Foods
You can purchase Purina Pro Plan pet foods from the following stores:


Where To Buy Iams Pet Foods
You can purchase Iams pet food products from these retailers:




Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product | Purina Pro Plan | Iams |
Dry Dog Food | 44 Recipes | 28 Recipes |
Wet Dog Food | 30 Recipes | 10 Recipes |
Dog Treats | ||
Dry Cat Food | 23 Recipes | 12 Recipes |
Wet Cat Food | 74 Recipes | 31 Recipes |
Cat Treats | 2 Treats |