Rating: 
Lotus Dog Food receives the Advisor’s top rating of 5 stars.
The Lotus product line includes three canned dog foods.
However, since we’re unable to locate AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements for these dog foods on the company’s website, it’s impossible for us to report specific life stage recommendations for these recipes.
The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review.
- Lotus Wholesome Turkey Stew
- Lotus Wholesome Beef and Asparagus Stew
- Lotus Wholesome Chicken and Asparagus Stew
Lotus Wholesome Chicken and Asparagus Stew was selected to represent the other products in the line for this review.
Lotus Wholesome Chicken and Asparagus Stew
Canned Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, dried egg whites, potato starch, whole chopped asparagus, baby carrots, whole blueberries, salt, tricalcium phosphate, chicken fat, olive oil, salmon oil, dicalcium phosphate, whole ground flaxseed, New Zealand green mussel, Norwegian dried kelp, potassium chloride, whole cranberries, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, betaine, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, niacin, vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 7.5%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 10% | 4% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 50% | 20% | 22% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 42% | 40% | 18% |
The first item in this dog food is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Chicken is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is chicken broth. Broths are nutritionally empty. But because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food they are a common finding in many canned products.
The third ingredient is dried egg whites. Eggs are highly digestible and an excellent source of usable protein.
The fourth ingredient is potato starch. Potato starch is a gluten-free carbohydrate used more for its thickening properties than its nutritional value.
The fifth ingredient is asparagus. Asparagus is especially rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The sixth ingredient is carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The seventh ingredient lists blueberries. Blueberries are a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The eighth ingredient is salt (also known as sodium chloride). Salt is a common additive in many dog foods. That’s because sodium is a necessary mineral for all animals — including humans.
However, since the actual amount of salt added to this recipe isn’t disclosed on the list of ingredients, it’s impossible to judge the nutritional value of this item.
After tricalcium phosphate there is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With four notable exceptions…
First, salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Next, olive oil contains oleic acid, a healthy monounsaturated fat. It’s also rich in natural antioxidants and carotenoids.
In addition, flaxseed is one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
And lastly, this food also contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Lotus Canned Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Lotus Dog Food looks like an above-average canned product.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 50%, a fat level of 20% and estimated carbohydrates of about 22%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 50% and a mean fat level of 20%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 22% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 40%.
Above-average protein. Below-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical canned dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a wet product containing a significant amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Lotus Dog Food is a grain-free canned product using a significant amount of turkey, beef or chicken as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars.
Enthusiastically recommended.
Special Alert
Rice ingredients can sometimes contain arsenic. Until the US FDA establishes safe upper levels for arsenic content, pet owners may wish to limit the total amount of rice fed in a dog's daily diet.
A Final Word
The descriptions and analyses expressed in this and every article on this website represent the views and opinions of the author.
Although it's our goal to ensure all the information on this website is correct, we cannot guarantee its completeness or its accuracy; nor can we commit to ensuring all the material is kept up-to-date on a daily basis.
Each review is offered in good faith and has been designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food.
However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.
For a better understanding of how we analyze each product, please read our article, "The Problem with Dog Food Reviews".
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt, consult a qualified veterinary professional for help.
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Notes and Updates
07/10/2010 Original review
01/24/2011 Review updated
10/27/2012 Last Update
- Association of American Feed Control Officials ↩
