Iams Campaign a Matter of Taste

By Laurie Denger
Copyright 1998 Dayton Daily News
April 2, 1998

Hot on the heels of the Consumer Reports pet-food tasting debacle comes a couple of new food products for cats.

Iams, the Vandalia-based company that yelped when Consumer Reports incorrectly reported that some of its products were not nutritious, is taking matters directly to those whose opinions matter - cats.

Iams has a campaign under way called the Eukanuba Taste Challenge, in which it is challenging cats throughout North America to compare a free sample of Eukanuba with any food regularly eaten. If the cat likes Eukanuba better, a $ 2 coupon is included to buy a bag. If you don't see the taste-challenge offer in your pet-food store, you can call (800) 863-4267 for a free kit.

Iams claims its research shows that cats prefer Eukanuba by as much as 3 to 1 over the leading dry food.

My finicky Sassy, who routinely leaves about half of her food untouched, sniffed her sample and nibbled. I'm still waiting to see if she prefers it.

Iams also takes on myths surrounding cats and their food in information included in a press packet. For example, they attack the myth that cats can eat an all-vegetarian diet. Iams said cats need meat and fish proteins to provide taurine, an essential amino acid. And feeding an all-tuna diet to cats can rob them of vitamin E and can lead to 'yellow fat disease.'

Hill's Pet Nutrition has a new cat food product that is supposed to be good for cats suffering from lower urinary tract disease.

Hill's estimates that more than 1 million cats in the United States have some form of the disease, which usually results in cats having problems urinating, having bloody urine or showing signs of pain when they urinate.

The food, called Feline CD, is supposed to help prevent the formation of crystals and stones in the bladder. The prescription diet food is available from most veterinarians...