Iams
| Company type | Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Pet food |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | Paul Iams |
| Headquarters | Dayton, Ohio , United States |
| Products | Dog food, Cat food |
| Owner | Mars, Incorporated (globally outside Europe), Spectrum Brands (Europe) |
Iams () is a U.S.-based brand specializing in dog food and cat food, manufactured by Spectrum Brands within Europe and by Mars, Incorporated globally outside of Europe. Its product range caters to various life stages, including puppies and kittens, adults, and senior pets, as well as veterinary diets designed for animals with specific nutritional requirements.
Since 2006, Iams has carried out research in multiple settings such as pet owners' residences, P&G Pet Care's Pet Health & Nutrition Center, and environments where dogs and cats reside, including organizations supporting assistance animals.
History
In the 1940s, commercial pet foods were limited, and homemade diets were the primary source of nutrition for pets. Paul Iams, an animal nutrition expert affiliated with Ohio State University, established the Iams Company in 1946 near Dayton, Ohio. During the 1950s, he pioneered the creation of the first dry dog food containing animal-based protein, branded as Iams 999. The term "Eukanuba," introduced in 1969 to label a new formulation, signifies "the best" or "something superior."
The 1973 oil crisis caused a surge in meat and bone meal prices while price controls remained in effect, pushing the company toward financial distress. Clay Mathile, who had joined the company in 1970, acquired a 50% stake in 1975 and became sole owner and president by 1982. Under Mathile’s guidance, annual revenue expanded dramatically from $100,000 in 1970 to $900 million by 1999. He sold Iams to Procter & Gamble in September 1999.
In April 2014, Procter & Gamble declared its intention to sell the Iams, Eukanuba, and Natura brands outside Europe to Mars, Inc. for $2.9 billion in cash. Mars planned this acquisition to broaden its portfolio and fund growth initiatives in its core businesses. The transaction was finalized in August 2014 for North and Latin American markets; meanwhile, P&G retained operations in select Asia Pacific, Middle East, and African regions through agreements with Mars. Subsequently, P&G divested its European pet-care segment to Spectrum Brands in December 2014.