PetScoredIndependent pet product reviews

Iams · Dry cat food

ProActive Health Healthy Adult Original with Chicken

Excellent cost per calorie and a chicken-first formula with taurine declared. The official page did not expose a verbatim AAFCO statement; chicken by-product meal sits very high in the ingredient list.

Last reviewed May 2026AdultKibblePartially verified

By the PetScored Editorial Team. Every sub-score below links to the sources and rules behind it - see the full trail under the score.

Kibble (dry): well-established. The most-studied format. Deepest evidence base, lowest cost per calorie. The evidence on this format ›

Strengths

  1. Nutrition Fit 9.0 / 10AAFCO adequacy clears the rubric and dry-matter protein and fat land in the bands we expect.
  2. Low sensitivity risk 9.0 / 10Few of the most-named adverse-reaction trigger ingredients high on the label.
  3. Value 8.0 / 10Cost per 1,000 kcal is at or below the category median.

Watch-outs

  1. Common triggers on the labelSkip if your dog avoids chicken, corn, egg. We surface this regardless of sub-score.
  2. Adult-only AAFCO statementNot labelled adequate for puppies or growth. Pick a different bag for a puppy or pregnant dog.
  3. Partially verified source confidenceSome label or pricing fields rely on retailer-mediated capture rather than the manufacturer source. See evidence notes below.

Data status

Partially verified

Some primary-source fields are verified; unresolved fields remain visible.

Last reviewed
May 2026

Launch readiness

Source-capture hold.

This page is missing the packet or source record needed for beta QA.

Attach product source and verification packet records before promotion.

Lane
Source capture
Packet
missing
Product source
missing

Brand Trust scoring

Brand Trust source capture is in progress.

Captured Brand Trust signals are shown for auditability, but they do not affect the product score until the record is verified.

Record status
partially verified
Score path
Seed score still in use
Unknown signals
9
Conflicts
0
Brand sources
3

Buyer read

What should you take away?

Dog food rubric
No major weak spot in the current scorecard.

For ProActive Health Healthy Adult Original with Chicken, the current data does not show a major weak spot in PetScored's label, cost, sensitivity, or trust checks. Still match ingredients to your dog.

9.0
Nutrition FitAAFCO fit, calories, and dry matter protein/fat ranges.
7.0
Brand TrustWSAVA-style signals, recall mapping, and source confidence.
7.0
Ingredient ClarityNamed sources and label specificity.
9.0
Sensitivity RiskPopulation-level common allergen exposure.
8.0
ValueEstimated price per 1,000 kcal within category.

vs. Dry cat food

How this scorecard reads against its category.

Solid bar is this product. Hollow tick mark is the average across 32 peers in the same category. Same rubric for both, no weighting tricks.

Nutrition Fit9.0near avg
Brand Trust7.0+0.5 vs avg
Ingredient Clarity7.0+0.8 vs avg
Sensitivity Risk9.0+0.3 vs avg
Value8.0+3.1 vs avg

Score math

How PetScored got there.

Expand to see the rule-by-rule trail. Useful for checking the rubric; not required to make a buying decision.

Show the trail
Nutrition Fit9.0
30% of total score
8 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)

Nutrition Fit is reconstructed from deterministic dog-food v1 rules using the currently available fixture fields.

AAFCO statement matches declared life stageA verified AAFCO adequacy statement earns points only when it matches the declared life stage.
IAMS ProActive Health Healthy Adult with Chicken is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for adult maintenance.+3.0A
Feeding trials substantiate adequacyFeeding-trial language receives additional credit because it is stronger evidence than formulated-to-meet language.
IAMS ProActive Health Healthy Adult with Chicken is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for adult maintenance.0.0A
Protein dry matter basis in rangeProtein is compared on dry matter basis against the cat adult maintenance range of 30-50%.
35.6%+2.0A
Fat dry matter basis in rangeFat is compared on dry matter basis against the cat adult maintenance range of 9-25%.
16.7%+2.0A
Calcium and phosphorus listedThis can earn credit once the nutrition panel stores calcium and phosphorus fields from a verified source.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0B
Calorie statement presentA calorie statement is needed for value, feeding-cost, and cross-format comparison work.
377 kcal/cup+1.0A
Large-breed puppy statementThis rule is not applicable unless the product is marketed for large-breed puppies.
not applicable0.0A
Taurine declared on label (cat)Cat foods must declare taurine on the GA panel or in the ingredient list. AAFCO requires a minimum 1,000 mg/kg DMB for adult cat diets. PetScored scores the label declaration; failure to declare on adult or all-life-stages diets triggers a hard-fail floor at 4.0.
declared+1.0A
Brand Trust7.0
25% of total score
1 scoring rule(s)14 context item(s)seed in use

Brand Trust is still using the seed subscore while source signals are captured, reviewed, or blocked by conflict.

Brand Trust signal record pending verificationBrand Trust requires source-backed evidence for nutrition staff, manufacturing, recalls, research, and transparency. The seed score remains visible until those signals are verified.
partially_verified; 3 source(s) capturedcontextSeed
Named qualified nutritionistA publicly named qualified nutritionist earns Brand Trust credit when the source record verifies it. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Owns primary manufacturing facilitiesOwnership or direct operation of primary manufacturing earns credit when verified from brand or facility sources. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Current feeding-trial evidenceCurrent AAFCO feeding-trial evidence earns Brand Trust credit when it is tied to the product or line. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Publishes peer-reviewed researchPeer-reviewed product or nutrition research earns credit when verified. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Complete nutrient analysis availableComplete nutrient analysis availability earns credit when source-backed. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
No FDA recall in past five yearsRecall credit requires verified matching against FDA recall/enforcement records.
verified_truecontextA
No FDA Class I recall everClass I recall history must be source-matched before credit is awarded. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Country-of-origin sourcing publishedPublished sourcing information earns partial Brand Trust credit when verified. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextB
Same ownership for 10+ yearsOwnership stability earns limited heuristic credit when verified.
verified_truecontextC
Active FDA warning letterActive FDA warning letters reduce Brand Trust when verified and relevant. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Cannot identify qualified nutritionistIf research cannot identify a qualified nutritionist anywhere, Brand Trust is reduced. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Unknown Brand Trust signalsUnknown Brand Trust signals are shown as research debt. They do not change the score until source verification is complete.
9 unresolved signal(s)contextSeed
Brand Trust seed subscorePrototype score imported from the seed fixture. This keeps the public page auditable while verified rule events replace seed values.
7.0 / 10+7.0Seed
Source confidence visibleConfidence is shown beside the score so prototype, single-source, verified, stale, and conflict records are not treated the same.
Partially verifiedcontextSeed
Ingredient Clarity7.0
15% of total score
8 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)

Ingredient Clarity is reconstructed from named-source and label-specificity rules.

Animal protein sources named in top 10Named species such as chicken meal or salmon count as clearer than generic terms such as meat meal or poultry by-product meal.
chicken | chicken by-product meal | chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) | dried egg product+3.0B
Fat sources named in top 10Named fats, such as chicken fat or salmon oil, are clearer than generic animal fat.
chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)+2.0B
Grain sources are specificSpecific grains such as rice, barley, oatmeal, or sorghum earn clarity credit. Generic grain terms do not.
ground whole grain corn | corn grits | corn protein meal+1.0B
Preservatives explicitly namedExplicit preservative language earns clarity credit because the label tells readers what is preserving the fat or formula.
chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) | fish oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) | citric acid | mixed tocopherols | rosemary extract+1.0A
Country of manufacture statedThis can earn credit once the product source record stores a verified made-in or country-of-manufacture statement.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0C
Manufacturer identifiableThis can earn credit once the source record identifies the manufacturer from a verified product page or label.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0C
Co-packer or facility disclosedThis can earn credit once the product or brand source record publicly discloses the facility or co-packer.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0C
Ingredient splitting high on labelRelated starch or pulse ingredients high on the label are flagged for transparency. This is not treated as proof of harm.
corn: ground whole grain corn | corn grits | corn protein meal0.0C
Sensitivity Risk9.0
15% of total score
9 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)

Sensitivity Risk is reconstructed from common allergen exposure patterns in the ingredient list.

Sensitivity baselineSensitivity Risk starts at 10 and adjusts for common exposure patterns. It is not a prediction for an individual dog.
10 / 10 before ingredient exposure adjustments+10.0A
Beef or beef-derived ingredient in top 5Beef exposure in the top five ingredients lowers the score because beef is commonly reported in canine food-reaction studies.
chicken | chicken by-product meal | ground whole grain corn | corn grits | corn protein meal0.0A
Dairy ingredient anywhereDairy exposure is counted anywhere on the label because even lower-position ingredients may matter for sensitive dogs.
chicken | chicken by-product meal | ground whole grain corn | corn grits | corn protein meal | dried plain beet pulp | chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) | natural flavor | brewers dried yeast | dried egg product | sodium bisulfate | potassium chloride | fish oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) | choline chloride | calcium carbonate | dl-methionine | fructooligosaccharides | citric acid | mixed tocopherols | taurine | minerals (zinc oxide | manganese sulfate | ferrous sulfate | copper sulfate | sodium selenite | potassium iodide) | vitamins (niacin supplement | l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate | d-calcium pantothenate | vitamin a supplement | biotin | thiamine mononitrate | pyridoxine hydrochloride | vitamin b12 supplement | vitamin d3 supplement | riboflavin supplement | folic acid) | vitamin e supplement | l-carnitine | rosemary extract0.0A
Chicken or chicken-derived ingredient in top 5Chicken exposure in the top five ingredients lowers the score as a population-level sensitivity flag.
chicken | chicken by-product meal | ground whole grain corn | corn grits | corn protein meal-1.0A
Wheat or wheat gluten in top 5Wheat exposure in the top five ingredients is flagged without implying the food is unsafe.
chicken | chicken by-product meal | ground whole grain corn | corn grits | corn protein meal0.0A
Lamb in top 5Lamb receives a smaller exposure adjustment under the current dog-food rubric.
chicken | chicken by-product meal | ground whole grain corn | corn grits | corn protein meal0.0A
Multiple common sensitivity ingredients in top 5Multiple common exposure families high in the ingredient list receive an additional small adjustment.
1 of beef, dairy, chicken, wheat detected0.0B
Hydrolyzed protein primary dietHydrolyzed-protein diets can receive credit when hydrolyzed protein is a primary ingredient.
not detected0.0A
Single novel protein sourceA single novel animal protein can receive credit, but marketing claims alone do not count.
not detected0.0B
Value8.0
15% of total score
3 scoring rule(s)2 context item(s)

Value is reconstructed from package size, price, kcal density, category median, and quality caps.

Package weight parsedPackage weight is parsed from the product fixture so price can be normalized before scoring.
9.98 kgcontextC
Cost per 1,000 kcal calculatedValue uses calories rather than package price alone, because calorie density changes how long a bag lasts.
USD 1.07contextC
Category relative price bandThe base Value score comes from cost per 1,000 kcal relative to the product category median.
76% of Mass premium dry cat median+8.0C
Nutrition Fit value capA low Nutrition Fit score caps Value so a cheap food is not over-rewarded when core nutrition evidence is weak.
Nutrition Fit 9.00.0C
Brand Trust value capA low Brand Trust score caps Value so price does not overpower weak manufacturer/source signals.
Brand Trust 7.00.0C

Ingredients

Parsed label

Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Corn Grits, Corn Protein Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Egg Product, Sodium Bisulfate, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, DL-Methionine, Fructooligosaccharides, Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Vitamins (Niacin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid), Vitamin E Supplement, L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract

Sensitivity flags

May matter for individual dogs

chickencorneggfish

These flags reflect population-level prevalence of commonly reported canine food allergens in the published literature (Mueller and Olivry 2016), not a prediction that this dog will react. Read how we score this in the dog food rubric and the medical disclaimer.

Source record

Confidence is visible by design.

Captured
May 18, 2026
Confidence
Partially verified
Sources
Iams official product page captured May 18, 2026
Chewy 22 lb price captured May 18, 2026
Adequacy
IAMS ProActive Health Healthy Adult with Chicken is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for adult maintenance.

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Where to buy

Buying Iams ProActive Health Healthy Adult Original with Chicken

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FAQ

About Iams ProActive Health Healthy Adult Original with Chicken

What is the PetScored rating for Iams ProActive Health Healthy Adult Original with Chicken?

Iams ProActive Health Healthy Adult Original with Chicken scores 8.1 out of 10 on the PetScored deterministic rubric. Strongest sub-score: Nutrition Fit. Weakest sub-score: Ingredient Clarity. See the full sub-score breakdown and rule-event trail on the scorecard.

Is Iams ProActive Health Healthy Adult Original with Chicken good for dogs with food sensitivities?

Skip this food if your dog avoids chicken, corn, egg, fish. These are common adverse-reaction trigger ingredients in published case series. If your dog tolerates these proteins, the sub-score reflects the population-level risk; individual dogs vary.

Is Iams ProActive Health Healthy Adult Original with Chicken AAFCO complete and balanced?

Iams ProActive Health Healthy Adult Original with Chicken carries this AAFCO adequacy statement: "IAMS ProActive Health Healthy Adult with Chicken is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for adult maintenance." This is an adult-maintenance statement - not adequate for puppies, growth, or pregnancy.

What life stage is Iams ProActive Health Healthy Adult Original with Chicken for?

Per the bag, Iams ProActive Health Healthy Adult Original with Chicken is intended for Adult (format: Kibble). Always cross-check the AAFCO statement on your actual bag, since recipes and life-stage designations can change between production runs.

How much does Iams ProActive Health Healthy Adult Original with Chicken cost per calorie?

Captured retailer price: $39.98 for a 22 lb bag bag, at 3750 kcal/kg. PetScored Value sub-score benchmarks cost per 1,000 kcal against the category median rather than the sticker price - see the Value detail on the scorecard.

This score is our opinion, formed by applying a published rubric to label and public source records, not a statement of objective fact and not veterinary advice. Label fields we cannot verify are marked by source confidence rather than assumed. See the methodology and medical disclaimer.