Lotus Dog Food Review: Wholesome Ingredients for Natural Nutrition

The Lotus Pet Food Company follows the tagline, “natural food for pets,” and that is exactly what it provides.

This company understands the importance of quality nutrition for pets which is why it follows a holistic approach to pet nutrition, creating healthy and delicious products that nourish your pet’s body from the inside out.

All of the brand’s recipes are made with ingredients sourced from North America and New Zealand and cooked in small batches to ensure quality and nutritional integrity.

This brand focuses its recipes around high-quality meats, whole grains, wholesome fruits and veggies, and a special oil blend.

Every one of Lotus’ recipes is complete and balanced, exceeding the minimum nutritional requirements for pets in all life stages.

If you are looking for a high-quality brand for your dog, consider Lotus foods as an option. Read on below for our detailed Lotus dog food review.

Manufacturer Information

The Lotus Pet Food Company was founded by a group of pet lovers who run a pet retail store chain called Centinela Feed and Pet in Los Angeles, California.

As more and more of its favorite manufacturers turned to extrusion for their products, the group decided to create its own brand of wholesome, baked food.

The first Lotus Natural Dog Food hit pet store shelves in 2003 and the brand has continued to grow in the years since its release. Their Company remains a family-owned and -operated company to this day.

Lotus Dog Food Review

No matter which recipe you choose, you can rest assured that Lotus Pet Foods are made with the freshest, most high-quality ingredients around.

All of their ingredients are sourced from North America and New Zealand, plus every recipe is tried and tested to ensure quality and safety.

The company does not use any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in its recipes, and it doesn’t use any corn, wheat, or soy proteins either.

All of Lotus’ products are prepared in small batches with plenty of natural flavor so both you and your dog will love them.

 

1. Good Grains Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

This recipe is available in Regular Bites and Small Bites so you can choose the size that works best for your dog.

This recipe is oven-baked to preserve the nutritional integrity of the raw ingredients and it is prepared in small batches to ensure quality and safety.

Featuring natural chicken and chicken meal as primary protein sources. Chicken provides essential amino acids, while chicken meal ensures consistent protein levels throughout cooking.

Whole grains like rye, brown rice, barley, and oatmeal offer digestible carbohydrates, while pea fiber, flaxseed, and fresh fruits and veggies contribute dietary fiber and essential nutrients.

The only exception is for dogs who suffer from grain allergies or sensitivities. These ingredients provide usable energy as well as dietary fiber and essential nutrients. This recipe also contains supplementary sources of fiber like pea fiber, flaxseed, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Fats from soybean, olive, and salmon oil provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health. Chelated minerals and probiotics enhance digestion and nutrient absorption. There are also dried fermentation products which act as probiotics to support your dog’s digestion.

Overall, this kibble delivers high-quality nutrition with natural ingredients and flavors.

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2. Lotus Sardine & Herring Recipe

A low-starch, grain-free product, this recipe offers dogs a pure form of nutrition. It’s crafted for all life stages with limited and carefully-chosen ingredients that are oven-baked to perfection. The process involves less processing than extruded pet food, which protects more nutrients from being wasted.

As for the list of ingredients, the first two are fish — sardine and herring. It’s rare to find fish as the main ingredients in a dog food, which is surprising since a lot of dogs love fish just as much as cats do. And these two are some of the healthiest fish you can possibly give your dog.

Featuring sardines and herring as the primary protein sources, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B12 and D, coenzyme Q10, and amino acids, supporting brain, eye, immune, and nervous system health.

Instead of grains, carbohydrates and fiber come from potatoes, peas, pea fiber, and cassava flour, providing quick energy. Catfish oil, salmon oil, and flaxseed deliver essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin, joint, and heart health.

Additionally, non-GMO fruits and vegetables like pumpkin, spinach, and blueberries round out the nutritional profile. Pet owners highly praise this recipe, noting improvements in their dogs’ skin, coat, and overall health.

The sardine and herring flavor adds variety to your dog’s diet, making it an excellent choice for regular rotation.

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3. Lotus Duck & Cassava Recipe

This grain-free, oven-baked dog food from Lotus is made in small batches in Canada, ensuring minimal processing and preserving essential nutrients like proteins, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.

The recipe is ideal for all life stages, featuring duck and duck meal as primary protein sources, making it a great option for dogs with sensitivities to common meats like chicken or turkey. Duck provides high-quality protein and healthy fats, supported by herring meal and egg product to achieve a 30% crude protein content.

Carbohydrates and fiber come from peas, cassava, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, which provide energy and support digestive health. Fats are sourced from duck fat, salmon oil, olive oil, and flaxseed, all premium sources of omega fatty acids. The inclusion of fruits and vegetables, like carrots, apples, blueberries, pumpkin, and spinach, rounds out this nutrient-rich diet.

Pet owners report improvements in their dogs’ skin health, fewer gastrointestinal issues, and good acceptance by even the pickiest eaters. The high protein content makes it suitable for active dogs.

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4. Lotus Lamb & Turkey Liver Recipe

This is a grain-free dog food suitable for all life stages. Made with high-quality, hormone- and antibiotic-free meat, along with non-GMO fruits and vegetables, this recipe provides a nutritious, wholesome meal. Its oven-baked process preserves more nutrients and reduces starch by 50% compared to traditional extruded dog foods.

Lamb is the primary ingredient, offering a rich source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, and B vitamins. Additional protein sources include turkey liver, pollock, and egg products, while chickpeas, peas, and pea protein add both protein and carbohydrates. Tapioca flour supports digestive health, while the inclusion of fruits and vegetables offers natural nutrition.

Despite the presence of legumes, the recipe remains meat-focused, with animal-based proteins taking precedence. Although slightly higher in calories, the diet can be adjusted to prevent weight gain.

Customers praise the formula for its high-quality ingredients and report noticeable improvements in their dogs’ skin, coat, and overall health. While the product is priced higher, many find it worth the cost.

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5. Turkey Stew Recipe

This is a grain-free, nutrient-dense dog food suitable for all life stages, making it ideal for puppies, adults, and seniors. The main ingredient is fresh turkey, followed by turkey broth, which provides 10% crude protein (50% on a dry matter basis) and natural flavor.

It includes wholesome carbohydrates such as potato starch, baby carrots, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and whole flaxseed, with a fiber content of 0.5%, ensuring healthy digestion without overloading on fiber.

Chicken fat, olive oil, and salmon oil supply balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health. The absence of carrageenan, guar gum, and xanthan gum, commonly used thickeners, is a plus, as carrageenan can have carcinogenic effects. The recipe also includes chelated minerals and vitamin supplements but lacks probiotics.

With 384 calories per can, it is nutrient-dense, so feeding portions should be monitored. It can be used as a standalone meal or a kibble supplement. Overall, this turkey stew offers balanced, natural nutrition with great flavor for dogs of any age.

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6. Lotus Grain-Free Rabbit Loaf

Rabbit is a rarely utilized meat in dog foods, but that makes it even better. For sensitive dogs whose allergies may be triggered by the proteins in common meats such as chicken or beef, rabbit can be an excellent alternative. Its novelty means that your dog probably hasn’t been exposed much to it and will likely take to the food.

This wet dog food recipe is based on rabbit meat. An advantage of rabbit over other meats, aside from being a novelty protein, is that it has more protein per ounce than lamb, beef, chicken, turkey, duck, or pork. To raise up the protein levels even higher, Lotus added New Zealand mussels into the mix.

Usually in wet foods, the first ingredient is either broth or water for processing. But this canned food places rabbit meat at the front for maximum meat volume. Rabbit broth comes only at second place.

Sweet potatoes and pea flour offer carbohydrates and fiber, with sweet potatoes being less likely to cause immune responses. The fat sources, salmon oil and coconut oil, are premium ingredients that deliver omega-3 fatty acids and support cognition in dogs.

In addition to superfoods like asparagus, flaxseed, blueberries, and cranberries, the formula includes antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, making it ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), or food allergies. It is free from grains, corn, carrageenan, and artificial additives.

Customers report improvements in dogs with itchy skin and digestive issues, and dogs seem to enjoy the flavor. While the food is more expensive, many find it worth the cost due to the health benefits their pets experience.

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7. Lotus Just Juicy Beef Shank Stew

For dogs who crave meat, this is the perfect choice. This food is crafted simply, with 95% of the recipe made up of real meat alone.

This juicy stew is a simple, high-moisture dog food featuring USDA-inspected, human-grade beef chuck tenders as the sole protein source, with beef broth for added flavor and nutrients.

It is designed for all life stages and offers complete nutrition through supplemental vitamins and minerals, without the use of fruits or vegetables.

The limited-ingredient formula includes potato starch as a binder, along with sunflower oil and salmon oil for healthy fats. Customers praise its appeal to picky eaters and report improvements in dogs with allergies, while its rich, beefy gravy adds to its palatability.

Despite its simplicity, it provides all essential nutrients like protein, fat, and fiber.

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8. Lotus Grain-Free Beef Green Tripe Loaf