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
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Lotus Oven-Baked Small Bites Good Grains Chicken Recipe
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Lotus Oven-Baked Sardine & Herring Recipe
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Lotus Oven-Baked Duck & Cassava Recipe
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Lotus Oven-Baked Lamb & Turkey Liver Recipe
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Lotus Wholesome Turkey Stew
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Lotus Grain-Free Rabbit Loaf
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Lotus Just Juicy Beef Shank Stew
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Lotus Grain-Free Green Tripe Loaf
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Lotus Soft-Baked Venison Recipe
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Lotus Soft-Baked Chicken and Chicken Liver Recipe
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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
First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Rye, Chicken Liver, Sardine, Brown Rice
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Guaranteed Analysis:
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.
2. Lotus Sardine & Herring Recipe
First 5 ingredients: Sardine, Herring, Dried Potatoes, Dried Peas, Dried Egg Product
Rating: 5/5 stars
Guaranteed Analysis:
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.
3. Lotus Duck & Cassava Recipe
First 5 ingredients: Duck, Duck Meal, Peas, Cassava Flour, Potatoes
Rating: 5/5 stars
Guaranteed Analysis:
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.
4. Lotus Lamb & Turkey Liver Recipe
First 5 ingredients: Lamb, Chickpeas, Peas, Turkey Liver, Tapioca Flour
Rating: 5/5 stars
Guaranteed Analysis:
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.
5. Turkey Stew Recipe
First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Broth, Potato Starch, Carrots, Blueberries
Rating: 5/5 stars
Guaranteed Analysis:
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.
6. Lotus Grain-Free Rabbit Loaf
First 5 ingredients: Rabbit, Rabbit Broth, Pea Flour, Sweet Potatoes, Whole Ground Flaxseed
Rating: 5/5 stars
Guaranteed Analysis:
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.
7. Lotus Just Juicy Beef Shank Stew
First 5 ingredients: Boneless Beef, Beef Broth, Potato Starch, Tomato Paste, Calcium Carbonate
Rating: 5/5 stars
Guaranteed Analysis:
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.
8. Lotus Grain-Free Beef Green Tripe Loaf
First 5 ingredients: Beef Tripe, Beef Broth, Monosodium Phosphate, Agar-Agar, Calciuim Carbonate
Rating: 5/5 stars
Guaranteed Analysis:
Made with 95% real beef tripe, this recipe gives your pups the pure homemade taste of loaf. It doesn’t contain any vegetables or fruits, focusing on delivering a pure meaty taste to your dogs instead.
However, that doesn’t mean that the food is lacking in nutrients. The brand enhanced it with all the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals dogs need to keep them happy and healthy.
This wet food is designed for dogs with sensitive digestion, IBS, or food allergies, featuring a single protein source—beef tripe—as its main ingredient. Green tripe is highly nutritious, providing protein, amino acids, probiotics, calcium, and healthy fats, and is used in its pure, untreated form.
The recipe avoids problematic ingredients like guar gum, xanthan gum, and carrageenan, and uses beef broth for added flavor and moisture. Sunflower and salmon oils are included for skin, coat, heart health, and immune support.
Cooked in small batches, the food offers a complete and balanced diet without fruits or leafy greens. Despite its strong odor, which comes from the natural tripe, dogs find it highly palatable and it is praised for its consistency and effectiveness in improving digestion.
9. Lotus Soft-Baked Venison
First 5 ingredients: Venison, Potatoes, Peas, Chickpeas, Coconut Glycerin
Whether you need to reward good behavior, share a snack or two to tide your pup until the next meal, or just want to show affection, treats are the way to go.
This provides your pet with savory snacks that won’t bring on the guilt. The treats are kept as healthy as possible and made with ingredients that won’t trigger food sensitivities.
These treats feature venison as the primary ingredient, making them ideal for dogs with sensitivities or allergies to more common proteins like chicken or beef. Venison is a lean protein with less fat and cholesterol, and its unique taste is often appealing to dogs.
The treats also include potatoes, chickpeas, and peas for additional protein and energy. Ground flaxseed provides fat, while tapioca helps with texture, and coconut glycerin adds carbohydrates without spiking blood sugar.
Miscanthus grass, a novel fiber, is used to aid in digestion by producing firmer stools compared to traditional cellulose. The treats are oven-baked to preserve nutrients, are low in calories, and can be broken into smaller pieces for small breeds.
Highly recommended by customers, these treats are praised for their effectiveness in training and their suitability for sensitive dogs due to their limited ingredients and natural preservatives.
10. Lotus Soft-Baked Chicken & Chicken Liver Treats
First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Potatoes, Peas, Chickpeas, Tapioca
These treats offer a savory snack with a focus on real meat and wholesome ingredients. Made without grains, wheat, corn, or soy, they are suitable for dogs with food sensitivities, IBS, or sensitive stomachs. Chicken is the main protein source, complemented by nutrient-rich chicken liver.
It includes potatoes, peas, and chickpeas for additional protein and energy, and chicken fat for extra energy. Aloe vera helps soothe inflammation, miscanthus grass adds fiber, and coconut glycerin maintains moisture. Flaxseed supports skin and coat health, while honey and salt enhance flavor and preservation.
With a simple ingredient list, these treats are free from artificial additives and are ideal for training or rewarding small dogs. They are soft, low in calories, and remain fresh for a long time, though your dog will likely enjoy them quickly.
Made in the USA?
Lotus Pet Food is a family-owned and -operated company that designs, produces, and manufactures all of its own pet foods. The company produces all of its dry products in a family-owned and -operated bakery in Canada, and its wet foods are made in the company’s new micro-cannery located in California.
The business makes its pet foods in small batches without artificial additives or preservatives. Lotus is committed to ensuring the quality and safety of their products.
Ingredient Sourcing
The Lotus website states that all of its ingredients are sourced from North America (the United States and Canada) with the exception of three ingredients. Lotus sources its green mussels, deboned lamb, and lamb meal from New Zealand.
Not only is the brand dedicated to using only the best ingredients, but it follows strict standards for safety and quality as well.
The Lotus Company does not use any corn, wheat, or soy ingredients (aside from soy oil which is not harmful for pets), and it uses healthy whole grains in many of its recipes (except for the grain-free options).
Lotus also uses premium-quality proteins and healthy fats for nutritional balance and optimal flavor.
Recall History
The Lotus Company is very careful about where it gets its ingredients, how it formulates its recipes, and the way in which its products are cooked. Lotus dry food products are baked in small batches, not extruded like traditional kibbles.
The brand’s wet food products are made in a company-owned micro-cannery, also in small batches to ensure quality. With all of these things in mind, it should come as no surprise for you to learn that Lotus has not been affected by any recalls to date.
Are Lotus Foods Expensive?
The Lotus brand is more expensive than most traditional kibbles on the market for a couple of reasons. First is quality, second is the way the foods are cooked.
Because its foods are so high-quality, you should expect to pay a little more for them. The price for a 20-pound bag of Lotus dry food ranges from about $72 to $135, depending on the recipe. Smaller 10- and 12.5-pound bags of Lotus dry food cost $35 to $70.
You can purchase 5.5-ounce cans of the brand’s wet food in cases of 24 for $65 to $95, which gives you an average price around $3.30 per can.
Here Is a List of The Brand’s Products
The Lotus Company offers five different lines of products – Raw, Oven-Baked Dry, Canned Stew, Loaf, and Canned Just Juicy.
All of its pet food products are designed in keeping with a holistic approach to pet nutrition so you can rest assured that each recipe is made with all of the healthy nutrients your dog needs and nothing he doesn’t.
Lotus doesn’t just focus on the nutritional value of its products either – it is also dedicated to making its foods as delicious and irresistible for pets as possible.
Raw Products
When it comes to the brand’s raw products, Lotus currently only offers for cats.
This recipe features various quality protein sources as the main ingredient and it is supplemented with a number of organic fruits and vegetables as well as a blend of omega oils.
It comes in 30-pound and 6-pound bags, offering a minimum 14% crude protein and 10% crude fat with 73% moisture.
We are all still waiting for the Raw Dog Food line to be launched hopefully within the year.
Dry Products
Though Lotus only offers one raw food product, there are several different recipes for dry food, including eight grain-free options.
Some of the formulas are crafted to meet the nutritional requirements of all life stages of all breeds, but there are also several designed to target a specific breed size or age.
The dry foods feature premium proteins like chicken, lamb, and ocean fish and they are supplemented with whole fruits and veggies plus healthy fats. Here is a list of dry recipes:
- Good Grains Oven-Baked Kibble Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (All Life Stages)
- Good Grains Small Bites Oven-Baked Kibble Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (All Life Stages)
- Good Grains Small Bites Oven-Baked Kibble Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (Senior & Special Needs)
- Good Grains Oven-Baked Kibble Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (Senior & Special Needs)
- Good Grains Small Bites Oven-Baked Kibble Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (Puppy)
- Good Grains Oven-Baked Kibble Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (Puppy)
- Grain-Free Oven-Baked Kibble Sardine & Herring Recipe (All Life Stages)
- Grain-Free Small Bites Oven-Baked Kibble Sardine & Herring Recipe (All Life Stages)
- Grain-Free Oven-Baked Kibble Turkey Recipe (All Life Stages)
- Grain-Free Small Bites Oven-Baked Kibble Turkey Recipe (All Life Stages)
- Grain-Free Oven-Baked Kibble Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe (All Life Stages)
- Grain-Free Small Bites Oven-Baked Kibble Duck & Cassava Recipe (All Life Stages)
- Grain-Free Oven-Baked Kibble Lamb & Turkey Liver Recipe (All Life Stages)
- Grain-Free Small Bites Oven-Baked Kibble Lamb & Turkey Liver Recipe (All Life Stages)
Canned Products
In addition to a variety of dry food options, the brand also offers several canned food recipes. Its canned foods are divided into three lines – Canned Stew, Canned Loaf, and Canned Just Juicy.
Lotus Canned Stews are made with USDA-inspected lean meats, tender fruits, crisp veggies, and healthy fats, available in three recipes.
The Canned Loaf is similar to the Canned Stew line except that it contains no gravy and is in a tight loaf form. Canned Just Juicy recipes feature premium proteins as well, but it doesn’t contain any fruits or vegetables.
Here is a list of canned recipes:
- Grain-Free Turkey Stew
- Grain-Free Beef Stew
- Grain-Free Chicken Stew
- Grain-Free Venison Stew
- Grain-Free Pork Stew
- Grain-Free Chicken Loaf
- Grain-Free Duck Loaf
- Grain-Free Turkey Loaf
- Grain-Free Rabbit Loaf
- Grain-Free Pork Loaf
- Grain-Free Salmon Loaf
- Grain-Free Sardine Loaf
- Grain-Free Beef Green Tripe Loaf
- Grain-Free Beef Liver Loaf
- Grain-Free Just Juicy Beef Shank Stew
- Grain-Free Just Juicy Pork Shoulder Stew
In a nutshell
This brand offers a range of high-quality options with a focus on natural ingredients and minimal processing. Their recipes often feature novel proteins like venison and duck, which can be beneficial for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.
The use of premium ingredients, such as fresh meats, whole grains (in some formulas), and healthy fats, is aimed at providing balanced nutrition for dogs at various life stages.
Many of their recipes are grain-free and avoid common allergens like corn, wheat, and soy, making them suitable for dogs with specific dietary needs.
The inclusion of beneficial ingredients like omega fatty acids, fiber from fruits and vegetables, and natural preservatives contributes to their overall quality.
However, the high cost of this dog food may be a consideration for some pet owners. Additionally, while many dogs respond well to the taste and nutritional benefits of Lotus foods, the effectiveness of some ingredients, like novel proteins or specific fibers, can vary depending on individual canine health needs.
Overall, it is well-regarded for its commitment to quality ingredients and nutritious formulations, though its higher price point and the occasional variance in ingredient effectiveness should be considered.