Anyone feed Lotus foods?

[Chewbecca]

I'm thinking about switching to a grain-free food for the pups.
And while out at my dog food store the other day, I found this food.
I'm using it as training treats for now, but the dogs (as usual with most things) INHALE it and LOVE it.
It's the grain-free duck formula.

I noticed this about a couple healthy-brand dog foods that are grain-free while at the store:
The protein percentage is not much higher than a grain based food.
Now, ok, this is fine.
Like, this duck formula is 27% protein.

Anyway, I guess I'm just used to seeing grain-frees all the way up into the 40%s.

What do you all think? Mandypug (since I know you work in a dog food store)?

 

[MandyPug]

I've never seen the food up here but looking at the ingredients it looks pretty good.

A few concerns (though not super major ones):

- Fish Meal... What kind of fish? What is it preserved with?
- Soybean Oil... I find soy doesn't agree with some dogs and is creeping up the allergen list.
- Sea Salt... Better Sea Salt than other types but i don't like to see added salt in food too much.

Otherwise it's pretty good, I'd pair it about the same quality ingredient wise as California Natural Grain Free.

ETA: And from a retail standpoint, the packaging is FANTASTIC. So cute and eye catching.

 

[Chewbecca]

Would you pick this over one of Fromm's Grain-free formulas?

 

[MandyPug]

I'd probably pick Fromm over Lotus. However, either are good foods and if i was feeding large breeds a grain free kibble i wouldn't hesitate to at least put Lotus on the rotation if not feed it as a staple and add in other more expensive formulas.

 

[Chewbecca]

Thank you!

Btw, if you don't mind me asking, what do you feed Izzie?

I've also considered tossing some raw into their rotation. Pre-made raw, that is.

 

[MandyPug]

She's on full pre-made raw. I use all Canadian brands from my store: Carnivora, Red Dog Blue Kat, and Legacy.

 

[JustaLilBitaLuck]

Thank you!

Btw, if you don't mind me asking, what do you feed Izzie?

I've also considered tossing some raw into their rotation. Pre-made raw, that is.

Hope you don't mind me chiming in! Bravo is a great pre-made raw to use when you're doing supplemental raw. It comes in chubs, and is very cost-effective (at least at my store).

Bravo! - The Diet Designed by Nature for Healthy Dogs and Cats

 

[PWCorgi]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that the Lotus is baked instead of extruded. And Frodo LOVES it as well. It is quite expensive though.

I also vote Bravo for pre-made raw.

 

[Chewbecca]

Thanks, guys!!!! <3

I'll look into Bravo. I think that's what the lady at the store I go to was suggesting.

She said the chubs were the least expensive pre-made raw route.
BUT! even that was INSANELY expensive. One dog, maybe. But feeding two dogs that is too expensive for me.
But I can do the occasional raw meal.

 

[Chewbecca]

Also, WHY would a company choose to add salt (whether it's sea salt or not) to their food?

 

[MandyPug]

Likely to raise the sodium content to the requirement. Some add salt, some add a sodium supplement in their vitamin/mineral mix. I just don't like to see it super high on the list like it is in Lotus (and salt is in Fromm too, just lower on the list).

 

[Chewbecca]

Likely to raise the sodium content to the requirement. Some add salt, some add a sodium supplement in their vitamin/mineral mix. I just don't like to see it super high on the list like it is in Lotus (and salt is in Fromm too, just lower on the list).

Oh, Der. Shows you how much I read the ENTIRE ingredient list on my dogs' food.:lol-sign:

So what you're saying is that even in the best, well-intended, healthy dog foods, sodium is added in SOME way, shape, or form, whether it's in salt form or a sodium substitute?
Sorry, I'm still waking up.:lol-sign:

 

[PWCorgi]

She said the chubs were the least expensive pre-made raw route.
BUT! even that was INSANELY expensive. One dog, maybe. But feeding two dogs that is too expensive for me.
But I can do the occasional raw meal.

Bravo is WAY cheaper than Lotus here. Other than Addiction, Lotus is the most expensive food we can order at my store. If you go with Bravo they sell 10# chubs that are cheaper than grocery store meat.
If you are interested in raw as a supplemental feeding I would look into buying chicken quarters in bulk.

 

[JustaLilBitaLuck]

Bravo is WAY cheaper than Lotus here. Other than Addiction, Lotus is the most expensive food we can order at my store. If you go with Bravo they sell 10# chubs that are cheaper than grocery store meat.

Exactly. The original blends (so meat, organs, bone, and vegetables) are the ones we have at my store, so I'm only sure about prices on those ones. You can get a 10 lb chub of chicken for about $18, I believe. Which compared to many other pre-made raws, is super cheap! Primal's chicken formula is 4 lbs for $20! :yikes:

 

[MandyPug]

Oh, Der. Shows you how much I read the ENTIRE ingredient list on my dogs' food.:lol-sign:

So what you're saying is that even in the best, well-intended, healthy dog foods, sodium is added in SOME way, shape, or form, whether it's in salt form or a sodium substitute?
Sorry, I'm still waking up.:lol-sign:

Yes, though foods like Orijen and Acana and some other brands have found ways to meet those requirements through different ways. Guidelines are set out for pet foods regulating the minimum amount of every vitamin, mineral, and whatnot in the food.

Also, some foods such as prescription diets for crystals add salt to make the pets thirsty and drink more. I'm not sure of brands of regular food doing that but they might.