I feel like a dissenter here because of the 18 reviews already written about this food, only 1 does not recommend it and for those who do recommend it, they give it 4-5 stars usually.

Maybe my kittens are finicky or something, I don't know. I do know that they refuse to eat this food. I am referring to IAMS Kitten Formula dry food.

Some personal information about my kittens

I acquired a pregnant cat on April 20th. On April 24th she gave birth to four kittens, although one was stillborn. I had two adult cats already and had NO intentions of getting another cat, however, this mama cat just happened to land in my household. Then these adorable little kittens were born....

Because Mama cat would not tolerate my two older cats to come anywhere near the kittens I knew I had to find another home for her when the kittens were weaned. So, on June 30th I moved Mama Cat and one of her kittens to another home and they are happy. That leaves me with 2 kittens, one of which I intended to keep. These kittens, while still suckling on Mama Cat when she would let them, were eating dry and canned food just fine. But when Mama Cat was taken away I knew I wanted the best food for them to ensure they would grow and be healthy.

Enter IAMS Kitten Formula dry food. These two kittens, at each feeding, act as if they haven't eaten in a week. They knock each other over trying to get to the dishes first! As I opened the pretty purple bag of IAMS Kitten Formula I thought they would really go nuts. I was wrong. They sniffed at the food and looked back up at me as if to say, "Are you kidding? What is this gruel?" They waited for a minute, knowing I was going to bring them some of the good stuff (Deli cat soaked in a little bit of milk). But when I didn't, they began clawing at my feet and protesting loudly.

I thought this was strange, but knowing they had to eat something I got out the Deli Cat, put a tiny bit of milk on it and they lapped it all up, leaving nothing in the dishes.

So I decided that since this was IAMS it had to be good for them and they would probably eat it if there was nothing else to eat. When we go away for several hours we put the kittens in a bathroom where they have access to water and a litter box and soft rugs to curl up on. I also put down a bowl of food for them. Knowing that when they'd get hungry enough they'd probably eat this food too, I put down a dish of IAMS. When we got home I immediately let them out of the bathroom. They came out running and yelling loudly. I could only imagine what they were saying. As I went in to see how they had done, besides the roll of toilet paper that was spread all over the floor, the first thing I noticed is that it appeared that not one piece of the IAMS had been eaten.

I have now had two kittens, who have been eating on their own for 2 and a half months. They have gone through dozens upon dozens of cans of food, as well as nearly 2 containers of Deli Cat. Try as I might to fool them, they will NOT eat the IAMS Kitten Formula that I put in front of them.

What are the ingredients?

The ingredients sound healthy and I'm sure they are. It's just the combination of them (I'm guessing) that these kittens don't like.

from the packaging

Chicken, chicken by-product meal, ground corn grits, ground grain sorghum, corn meal, chicken fat, dried egg product, natural chicken flavour, dried beet pulp, fish meal, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, brewers dried yeast and about 20 more products I will not take the time or space to list.

What does it look like?

This food is all dark brown and comes in small triangular pieces. While I'm sure the cats don't care (or do they) it doesn't look all that appetizing.

How about the analysis?

Crude Protein not less than 34%
Crude Fat not less than 22%
Crude Fiber not more than 3%
Moisture not more than 10%
Ash not more than 7%
Magnesium not more than .095%
Taurine not less than .16%

What does IAMS say about it?

They say that this is balanced nutrition and calcium for strong bones and teeth. They say it is easy for your kitten to chew and digest. They claim that this is formulated for less litter box waste and odor. They say that this nutrient-rich food is going to nourish growing muscles, body systems, skin and coat.


Bottom Line

I will not be buying IAMS Kitten Formula again. I know IAMS is a great company and puts out quality products. I've had good luck with their canned kitten formula. However, this dried stuff did not pass muster with those who count - the kittens!

More personal info about the kittens

And as you may have guessed - I have decided to keep both kittens as they are so lovable.

Popoki, who we call Poki is white. His name means Cat, in Hawaiian.

Sissi was accidentally named that because she is Poki's sister. We never did come up with a real name for her, and Sissi stuck. She is a gray and black tabby with a white underside.



Recommended: No