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Iams vs Holistic Select

Iams vs. Holistic Select

In this comparison article for Iams vs Holistic Select, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Iams and Holistic Select, 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 Holistic Select 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 Holistic Select Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Holistic Select 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. Holistic Select Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodIamsHolistic Select
Crude Protein27.6%31.4%
Crude Fat14.9%15.9%
Crude Fiber5.2%5.8%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodIamsHolistic Select
Crude Protein40.9%54.5%
Crude Fat23.4%27.3%
Crude Fiber5.4%4.5%

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.

There is a small difference between the protein content of Holistic Select and Iams. We can see that Holistic Select guarantees about 3.77% more protein than Iams. In addition, Holistic Select 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.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Holistic Select typically provides a little more fat (about 3.91% more).


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

Iams Cat Food vs. Holistic Select Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodIamsHolistic Select
Crude Protein35.7%37.0%
Crude Fat15.9%18.1%
Crude Fiber4.6%4.3%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodIamsHolistic Select
Crude Protein46.7%47.3%
Crude Fat21.8%30%
Crude Fiber4.9%4.5%

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.

As you can see, Iams and Holistic Select guarantee a similar amount of crude protein. With regards to wet cat food, Holistic Select and Iams also provide roughly the same amount of crude 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.

According to our average data, Iams typically provides less fat than Holistic Select. However, this difference is relatively small and doesn't represent a significant difference between the two brands. In addition, Holistic Select wet cat foods also provide more fat than Iams wet foods.


Holistic Select and Iams both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet cat food, Iams and Holistic Select also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Iams Pet Food Ingredients vs. Holistic Select Pet Food Ingredients

Iams and Holistic Select both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Canola Oil

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

Liver
Caramel
Beet Pulp
Corn Meal
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)

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Holistic Select.

Canola Oil (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

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Holistic Select.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite

Product Safety: Recall History of Iams & Holistic Select?

Iams has been recalled 2 times.

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

According to our records, Holistic Select has never been recalled.

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodIamsHolistic Select
Per Pound$1.52$3.33
Per Calorie$0.0009$0.0020
Wet Dog FoodIamsHolistic Select
Per Pound$1.90$4.87
Per Calorie$0.0038$0.0086

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 Holistic Select, 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 Holistic Select 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 Holistic Select. 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 Holistic Select Pet Foods

You can purchase Holistic Select pet food products from these retailers:


16 Recipes In-Stock Today

14 Recipes In-Stock Today

16 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductIamsHolistic Select
Dry Dog Food24 Recipes16 Recipes
Wet Dog Food8 Recipes3 Recipes
Dog TreatsNoneNone
Dry Cat Food13 Recipes3 Recipes
Wet Cat Food13 Recipes5 Recipes
Cat Treats2 TreatsNone

Top Rated Iams Recipes

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Top Rated Holistic Select Recipes

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Adult Health Anchovy & Sardine and Salmon Meals Recipe
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Grain Free Indoor Health / Weight Control Turkey Meal Recipe
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Grain Free Canned Ocean Fish & Tuna Pate Recipe
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