Summary of assessment
Our final verdict
We rate Lotus dog food 4.5 out of 5 stars.
In the world of pet food, you will find a seemingly endless supply of different brands and types of kibble. In fact, the pet food market has experienced double-digit growth each year in recent years.
This rising popularity and demand for pet food has led to many new brands jumping into the industry and carving out their own niche with a particular type of kibble or diet. A great example of this is the Lotus Dog Food brand. This family-owned company makes oven-baked dog food that is made with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and is free of corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or additives.
However, not all dog foods are created equal and almost all brands have had some sort of recall due to the discovery of unhealthy ingredients. But is this also the case for Lotus? To find out the answer and learn more about the pros, cons, and final verdict of Lotus dog food, read this in-depth review!
At a glance: the best recipes for Lotus dog food
Lotus Dog Food Reviewed
Who makes Lotus and where is it produced?
Lotus dog food hit the shelves in 2003. This high-quality pet food is made by the owners of Centinela Feed and Pet, a small chain of high-quality pet stores in Los Angeles. All dry kibble recipes are made in small batches in a family-owned bakery in Canada. All canned food is made in small batches in the micro-canning plant in California.
What type of dog is Lotus best suited for?
Most Lotus dog food formulas are designed for all breeds in all life stages. It also has a line of kibble called Small Bites, which are made for small mouths. Finally, it has recipes for dogs with special needs, such as allergies or intolerances to certain ingredients.
Which type of dog does better with a different brand?
Unless your dog is allergic to a specific ingredient used in Lotus recipes (such as chicken or eggs), all dogs can benefit from this food that is made with high-quality ingredients. However, Lotus also offers a raw product line, which may not be suitable for your pet. You should talk to your veterinarian before feeding your dog raw food.
Discussion of the primary ingredients (good and bad)
Baked in the oven
One of the great things about Lotus dog food is that the kibble is baked in the oven instead of extruded. This helps to preserve the proteins, amino acids, vitamins and antioxidants of the fruits and vegetables added to each formula. It also makes the food taste better while limiting the addition of fats and artificial flavors.
Sourcing and production
All ingredients are sourced from North America, except three: green mussel, lamb and lamb meal. These are sourced from New Zealand. In addition, Lotus primarily uses animals raised on farms near its facilities to ensure the quality of the animal proteins in each of its recipes.
Whole grain
In addition to grain-free formulas, many of Lotus’ recipes include whole grains, such as brown rice (a good source of vitamin E and highly digestible), oats and barley. These ingredients provide insoluble fiber, which aids your dog’s digestion, essential vitamins and minerals.
Garlic
Garlic can be found in the ingredients list of several Lotus dog food formulas. Garlic is considered a toxic food for dogs. However, studies have shown that it takes about 15 to 30 grams of garlic per kg to cause harmful changes in a dog’s blood. So your dog would have to ingest between 5 and 10 garlic cloves to get sick; the amount of garlic in Lotus dog food is minimal in comparison. In any case, you can consult your veterinarian if you have any doubts about this controversial ingredient.
A quick look at Lotus dog food
Advantages
- Made without common processing aids such as carrageenan or guar gum
- Chunks are oven baked instead of extruded
- Ingredients mainly sourced from the United States and Canada
- Meat comes mainly from animals raised near production sites
Cons
- One of the most expensive dog foods on the market
Memory history
There are no known recalls for Lotus dog food through 2022.
Reviews of the 3 best Lotus dog food recipes
Let’s take a look at three of the many Lotus dog food recipes available.
1. Lotus Oven-Baked Small Bites Grain-Free Turkey Recipe
This delicious kibble contains real turkey, turkey liver, and fruits and vegetables in bite-sized pieces. It’s also potato-free, so your sensitive stomach friend can eat it. Your dog will also benefit from the healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids provided by the olive oil and salmon oil, as well as the vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients that support their overall health. Overall, most pups also find this Lotus dog food very tasty, but some ingredients, such as dried eggs, can cause allergies in some dogs.
Advantages
- Good for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Does not contain high protein starch such as potatoes
- Turkey is the only source of animal protein
- Perfect kibble size for little mouths
Cons
- Contains potential allergens such as dried egg product
2. Lotus Venison Stew Grain Free Canned Dog Food
This Lotus Venison recipe is a stew designed specifically for a dog’s discerning palate. Venison is a tasty new protein that is becoming increasingly popular as a meat source in dog foods. It provides important B vitamins and minerals, such as zinc, phosphorus and iron, which help dogs maintain healthy energy levels. Although it is lower in protein than beef or chicken, it is also lower in fat and cholesterol.
This hearty venison stew is a great option for dogs with food allergies or allergies to other meat protein sources, such as chicken. Because venison is a novel protein, it can help reduce allergens and skin irritations in pets with food-related issues. However, this canned dog food comes at a hefty price, so you may want to consider giving it primarily as a topping or tasty treat to your pup.
Advantages
- Made in small batches in a micro canning facility in California
- Packed with vitamins, antioxidants and probiotics
- Suitable for dogs on a low glycemic diet
- Venison is a great source of B vitamins, zinc, phosphorus and iron
Cons
- Venison contains less protein than beef or chicken
- May be too expensive to use as a daily diet
3. Lotus Good Grains Senior Special Needs Recipe
Lotus Good Grains Senior Special Needs is one of our favorite recipes because it contains complex carbohydrates like brown rice, barley, and oats. When cooked, these grains are fairly easy to digest and provide a good source of energy for your dog. This oven-baked kibble also combines real chicken, chicken liver, sardines, and fruits and vegetables for a nutritious and balanced meal. However, some users did not like the smell of this recipe, although it did not seem to have much of an effect on their dogs’ appetites.
Advantages
- Good option for dogs on a limited ingredient diet
- Contains sardines for an extra dose of omega-3 fatty acids
- Contains complex carbohydrates to keep your older dog fit and more energetic
- Packed with fruits and vegetables such as pumpkin, spinach, apples, carrots and blueberries
Cons
- Some users find this food quite smelly
- Chunks are large for small dogs
What other users say
It is always helpful to read reviews from other customers before purchasing a new brand of dog food. Check out these reviews of Lotus dog food:
- Here puppy — “Great as a replacement for low-calorie workout treats!”
- The Dog Nerd — “Lotus dog food brings Ru inner peace”
- Tough — “My girls love it! Even the picky eater”
- Amazon — As dog lovers, we always check the reviews on Amazon before trying a new brand. You can read more of these customer reviews by clicking here.
Conclusion
Lotus dog food is heavy on meat with some plant-based protein and emphasizes high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. This small, family-owned company bakes its dog food in a bakery in Canada and makes its wet food in a micro-cannery in California. They also offer a range of limited-ingredient recipes for dogs with food sensitivities and allergies. Our Final Verdict: If you’re ready to open your wallet, you and your beloved pup won’t be disappointed because Lotus dog food is some of the best on the market.
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