14 best lamb and rice dog food brands [2024]

What do you need to know about lamb and rice dog food?

There are many lamb dog food formulas on the market. This is overwhelming, especially for new owners. Finding the perfect food for your canine friend is even more difficult when they have special dietary needs or health conditions.

Key Points for Lamb and Rice Dog Food

Here are the key points to keep in mind about lamb and rice dog food:

1. Lamb is an excellent source of protein and healthy fats.
2. Lamb meal is more concentrated in minerals than fresh lamb.
3. Rice is highly digestible and low in fiber.
4. Rice helps treat and prevent diarrhea.
5. High carbohydrate content in rice can lead to weight gain.
6. Rice may raise blood sugar levels, important for diabetic dogs.
7. Consult your vet before changing your dog’s diet to one containing rice.

We will give you an overview of the ingredient combination for commercial dog foods: lamb and rice.

14 Best Lamb and Rice Dog Food Options Reviewed

We’ve examined different lamb and rice dog food options, and this narrowed it down to 14 of the best options. You’ll find detailed reviews on each below, as well as the pros and cons. If you know what you need, here are the quick links to products:

1. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Small Paws for Small Breed Dogs
2. Nutrisource Lamb and Rice Adult Dog Food
3. IAMS Proactive Health Adult Dry Lamb Dog Food
4. Purina Pro Plan Small Bites Lamb & Rice Dry Dog Food
5. Nature’s Recipe Senior Dog Food
6. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Lamb & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
7. Arden Grange Adult Lamb & Rice Dog Food
8. James Wellbeloved Adult Lamb and Rice Kibble
9. AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
10. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Small Bites, Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe
11. Diamond Naturals Small Breed Lamb and Rice Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
12. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Lamb and Brown Rice for Small Breeds Dry Dog Food
13. Harrington’s Dog Food Complete Lamb And Rice Dry Mix
14. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe

Lamb: An Excellent Source of Nutrients

This meat is an excellent protein source, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals for your dog. Lamb can be fresh in wet foods and pâtés, or dry kibble usually contains lamb meal, a dried version of the meat.

Lamb meal is a more popular option than fresh real lamb. It’s a more concentrated source of minerals, such as calcium. This means you need to feed less lamb meal than real lamb to keep your dog happy and healthy. Smaller feeding amounts also prevents your dog from becoming overweight.

Another benefit of a premium quality lamb meal is it doesn’t go off as quickly as a fresh lamb. You can save money on lamb dog food when you buy in bulk and store it, knowing it will still be fresh in several months.

Lamb is an excellent choice for a dog’s diet but there are also Best Low Phosphorus Dog Food that is beneficial for their health issues.

Although lamb-based diets are typically more expensive than the traditional chicken-based foods, many pet owners believe they are well worth the price. Lamb has quite a strong odor and taste, dogs love this. Even the fussiest of eaters will eagerly munch down lamb-based dog food.

Is Rice Good for Dogs Every Day?

That all sounds great, right? Now let’s consider the second ingredient, rice. You may think of your dog as a meat-eater, but other food items can make up an important part of their diet. Plain rice will fill your canine more than meat does and is an excellent second ingredient to their lamb-based diets.

Maintains a Healthy Digestive System

Plain rice is great for dogs with sensitive stomachs. It is highly digestible and low in fiber, with only 0.6 grams per cup, which helps alleviate stomach issues. Research shows plain white rice can effectively treat and prevent diarrhea in dogs due to its binding effect and ease of digestion. For instance, a study found 75% of dogs with acute diarrhea improved on a rice-based diet. Incorporating rice into your dog’s diet can help manage gastrointestinal upset and maintain digestive health.

You can also feed your dog lamb meal brown rice recipe, and it is a common ingredient in lamb and rice dog food. It is much higher in fiber than rice, something that may be essential for pups with certain health conditions, such as obesity. However, if your dog is prone to diarrhea, nutritionists recommend ground white rice over brown rice recipe.

Look at dog training books.

Some Problems with Rice

However, there are two downfalls to the grain you should consider. Rice is high in carbohydrates. For example, a cup of cooked white rice contains about 45 grams of carbs. Just like in people, excessive intake of carbs can lead to significant weight gain in dogs. If you want to feed your pup lamb and rice dog food, it’s essential to read the feeding instructions carefully. Stick to the recommended portions on the label to avoid overfeeding.

The second issue is that rice can raise your dog’s blood sugar levels. For instance, white rice has a high glycemic index of around 73, which means it can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar. Therefore, the grain may not be appropriate for diabetic dogs. You should always consult your vet before changing their diet to one that contains rice to ensure it is safe for your pet.

This rarely poses a problem for healthy dogs but keep an eye out for the symptoms of diabetes. These include drinking more fresh water than usual and losing weight.

Now you are ready to pick the best lamb-based dog food

Hopefully, you now feel more confident about making an informed decision when choosing great lamb dog food.

As with all foods, it is best to consult with your vet before changing your pup’s diet. And always remember to introduce their new food gradually by mixing it with their old food initially. This way pet parents can switch even a picky eater to a new pet food.

However, most dogs will switch over to lamb and rice food with zero issues, and your vet will, without a doubt, be delighted that you are being so vigilant about what you’re feeding your pooch.

What is the best lamb and rice dog food?

So, you’ve decided to make the switch to good-quality lamb and rice food for your dog. But you realize there is an overwhelming number of brands to choose from. But which one is right for you and, more importantly, your sweet little pup?

Lamb meal dry dog food products

Check out the list below for an overview of the top 14 dry lamb and rice dog food you can get online:

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1. Nutrisource Lamb and Rice Adult Dog Food

Rating: 4.7/5 from 40 reviews.

Nutrisource is up next, with their lamb meal and brown rice formula. The largely positive experience pet owners have had with the product is a testament to its quality.

The lamb meal in this adult dry dog food is sourced from fresh New Zealand meat. It is suitable for all dogs regardless of size and age. Natural prebiotic fiber and probiotics are added to promote good digestive health.

This product has received glowing reviews, with many owners reporting it has helped clear up their dog’s digestive issues and diarrhea. One pup parent complemented this food because it is free from any ingredients that could worsen their dog’s heart issues. So, if you have a canine with a sensitive tummy and want to promote cardiac health, this could be the product for you!

The only con to this dry food is it does contain grain, which could provoke allergies in some dogs. This product is a little on the pricey side, but the potential lamb dog food benefits to your dog’s health could make it worthwhile.

 

2. Nature’s Recipe Senior Dog Food

Rating: 4.7/5 from 342 reviews.

Nature’s Recipes lamb and rice food is specially formulated for senior canines. There is an array of added vitamins and minerals, including taurine and vitamin E, all of which will keep your older dog happy and healthy into their golden years.

Reviewers have seen a variety of improvements in their dogs after switching them over to this product. These range from reduced gas and digestive problems, to increased energy and liveliness. In addition, dogs love this product, with fussy eaters munching it down with no issues.

Overall, this is an excellent choice for older dogs. The ingredient list is free from any common “problem foods” and the addition of vitamins and minerals (and the all-important taurine) makes this a complete, healthy dry dog food.

Ingredients: lamb meal, brown rice: Lamb Meal, Brewers Rice, Barley, Feeding Oatmeal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp with Molasses, Dried Potato Product, Poultry Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Dried Tomato Pomace, Flaxseed, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Inositol, Niacin, D-calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Beta-carotene, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Gelatin, Lactic Acid, Choline Chloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Citric Acid (Used As A Preservative), Rosemary Extract.

Nature’s Recipe has even considered that older dogs may struggle with eating dry foods. The small, bite-sized kibbles are easy to chew and swallow. This also makes the food appropriate for dogs with dental issues.

 

3. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Small Paws for Small Breed Dogs

Rating: 4.8/5 from 3024 reviews.

The Hill’s Science Small Paws lamb and rice food boasts the top spot on this list for its excellent reviews and well-researched ingredients. The Hill’s Pets Science range is a result of the effort to create a scientifically proven and nutritionally balanced lamb dog food.

Reviews of this product are overwhelmingly positive. Pup owners report this food has helped clear up allergies in their sensitive dogs and even the pickiest of eaters love to gobble it down. The kibble size is very small for extra tiny dog breeds.

The ingredient list is appropriate for sensitive dogs, with few allergy-causing foods. Lamb meal and brown rice are the first ingredients. This food is supplemented with taurine and vitamin E, in line with cutting-edge research in dog nutrition.

The food does contain corn gluten meal and pork fat. These two ingredients could be cause for concern if your dog has food allergies. However, if you’re confident your dog doesn’t have an issue with either ingredient (check your current feed, they could already be eating them!), this is an excellent choice of dry food for sensitive canines.

Rice recipe dog food ingredients: Lamb Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Sorghum, Corn Gluten Meal, Pork Fat, Cracked Pearled Barley, Chicken Liver Flavor, Flaxseed, Lactic Acid, Dried Beet Pulp, Soybean Oil, Potassium Chloride, Iodized Salt, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Tryptophan, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, L-Threonine, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene.

 

4. Arden Grange Adult Lamb & Rice Dog Food

Rating: 4.7/5 from 374 reviews.

Arden Grange adult lamb and rice dog food is appropriate for all adult dogs over the age of 12 weeks. This chicken-free dog food has a range of benefits from being tasty to even the fussiest dogs, being a good alternative feed for chicken-sensitive pups and chicken by-product meal.

Many customers have reported switching to this dog food has cleared up their dog’s digestive issues, including diarrhea. In addition, owners of fussy eaters have said their dog gobbles up this formula with no issues.

Another positive aspect of this product is it doesn’t have the smell often associated with lamb-based dog foods, one reviewer reported.

This is an excellent choice of adult dry dog food and is competitively priced. Arden Grange also includes only ethically and sustainably produced ingredients, making it an eco-friendly option.

 

5. James Wellbeloved Adult Lamb and Rice Kibble

Rating: 4.7/5 from 467 reviews.

James Wellbeloved lamb dog food is more expensive than other commercial lamb and rice dog food. However, it boasts naturally sourced and hypoallergenic ingredients and it’s an excellent choice for your food-sensitive pup.

Customer reviews state it has helped clear up diarrhea and upset stomachs in food-sensitive pups and is tasty even to fussy eaters.  The lamb dog food benefits that dog owners have seen with this product is it gives their dog a lovely shiny coat.

The ingredient list is simple, making it highly appropriate for dogs with food allergies. It doesn’t contain the usual culprits for dog allergies, leaving out beef, pork, eggs, dairy products, and soya.

Additional vitamins and minerals are sourced from natural products, such as seaweed, which contains iodine, and fish oil adding healthy fatty acids.

 

6. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Lamb & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Rating: 4.7/5 from 408 reviews.

The Nutro Wholesome Essentials offers natural dry dog food made from ethically sourced ingredients. Lamb is the main ingredient, and the product also contains lamb meal, making it a high-quality protein source. There are added vitamins (vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin D3) and minerals, including Omega-3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, which will promote a shiny coat in your dog.

Appropriate for dogs of all life stages and breeds. But the large kibble sizes may be difficult to chew for some small dogs and pups with teeth issues. Another potential issue is the inclusion of chicken meal as the second ingredient, which could pose a problem for allergic dogs.

Reviewers have backed up the manufacturer’s claim that this food will give your dog a healthy, shiny coat. Pet parents have successfully switched their dogs over to this adult dry dog food in a bid to clear up itchy and painful skin issues.

 

7. IAMS Proactive Health Adult Dry Lamb Dog Food

Rating: 4.7/5 from 613 reviews.

IAMS delivers unique and tailored dog foods. Their ProActive Health range is a carefully researched, nutritionally complete option for healthy dogs of all sizes.

Fiber and prebiotics are added to promote gut health and improve digestive issues in pups with sensitive stomachs. Extra vitamins and minerals are added (vitamin E), to make this dry food a good option for your dog’s health.

Customer reviews mention a range of benefits from improving digestive health, clearing up diarrhea, and filling up dogs more than other brands. On top of this, the kibble sizes are small, making this food appropriate for more petite breeds.

This food contains corn gluten and chicken, two ingredients that pose an allergy risk. Also, there is no added taurine which is essential for some canines.

 

8. AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

Rating: 4.6/5 from 181 reviews.

Avoderm lamb and rice dry food (also available as a pâté) has natural, simple ingredients with high-quality lamb meal as the first ingredient. It’s suitable for most dogs with food allergies as it contains no meat other than lamb.

Avoderm claims that added Californian avocados promote healthy skin and give your dog a shiny coat. The fats in avocados may help clear up your dog’s skin issues. However, as we will see later, this dry dog food should be fed with caution.

Pup owners who have made the switch to Avoderm say this product helps their dog grow a soft and glossy coat. The simple ingredients have also helped many dogs with digestive issues and chronic diarrhea caused by other foods.

Avocados are full of nutritional value but can be toxic. Avocados contain persin that can cause diarrhea and vomiting in some dogs. Most dogs are resistant to persin and can eat it with no issues.

It’s recommended to introduce the food slowly and switch to another food if your dog is showing any symptoms of avocado poisoning.

However, this dry dog food with lamb contains probiotics such as lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product that improves healthy digestion.

 

9. Purina Pro Plan Small Bites Lamb & Rice Dry Dog Food

Rating: 4.6/5 from 262 reviews.

Purina Pro Plan: Small Bites lamb and rice formula is specially designed for small breed size and for dogs that prefer small kibble sizes. This makes it a great food for dogs with teeth issues that may struggle with larger pieces of food.

Added vitamins will help your dog have a happy and healthy lifestyle. For example, vitamin E. Added omega-6 fatty acids promote healthy skin and a smooth coat. The only other meat ingredient is fish meal, which isn’t a common cause of food allergies in dogs, making this product appropriate for food-sensitive canines.

Buyers love this product, benefits include clearing up skin issues, improving digestive problems, and being gobbled down by picky pups. The consensus is that the Purina Pro Plan dry food is well worth the price.

The only possible concern is the addition of corn gluten meal and the lack of extra taurine. However, if your pup isn’t allergic to corn and doesn’t suffer from a taurine deficiency, this could be the food for them!

Another option is Purina One lamb and rice dog food.

 

10. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Small Bites, Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe

Rating: 4.6/5 from 444 reviews.

Another fantastic Hill’s Science small bites lamb meal and brown rice recipe. This formula is tailored for small dog breeds with tiny kibbles sizes.

Hill’s Science food promotes additional vitamins, and fatty acids that support healthy digestion and will clear up any itchiness due to food allergies.

Reviewers praise the ability to clear up digestive issues and even helping to get rid of their dog’s bad breath! One customer claims that this product gave their senior dog a new lease of life and that he is now full of energy.

The inclusion of corn and chicken fat may pose problems for some dogs.

 

11. Diamond Naturals Small Breed Lamb and Rice Formula Adult Dry Dog Food

Rating: 4.6/5 from 1473 reviews.

Diamond Naturals offers premium dry dog food with high-quality lamb as the first ingredient. The proper balance of the lamb brown rice combo, along with the addition of probiotics, will help to clear up any digestive issues.

The ingredients are sourced from sustainable producers and the lamb is strictly pasture-raised. This makes the product an excellent choice for environmentally conscientious owners who are also concerned about the welfare of the meats their dog eats.

Customers recommend this dry dog food for its ability to clear up their dog’s upset stomachs. Buyers also report benefits from reducing shedding to the kibble sizes appropriate for pups with dental issues. It’s top-quality dry lamb dog food and budget friendly.

Here you can find more dog food for shedding.

The ingredients are healthy with lamb and lamb meal as the first ingredients. There is a massive variety of natural vitamin sources from blueberries to seaweed, as well as added taurine. However, it contains peas and chicken fat, which can pose an allergy concern for certain dogs.

 

12. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Lamb and Brown Rice for Small Breeds Dry Dog Food

Rating: 4.6/5 from 3728 reviews.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection lamb brown rice recipe for small dog breeds. There are plenty of natural ingredients and added vitamins and minerals to promote good health.

The small kibble size is appropriate even for the smallest dog breeds. Also, this food is specifically tailored for the increased energy and protein needs of tiny canines. Blue Buffalo high-quality lamb and other meat products will help your pup build and maintain strong muscles.

Buyers praise the food for improving their pup’s digestive health and giving extra energy to their older dogs. However, one reviewer voiced a concern over the size of the kibble, which were too large for their small dog.

The ingredients have several natural high-quality protein sources and other nutrients, potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin. Extra taurine is added to combat potential deficiencies. There are also some added probiotics that will help ease any stomach issues.

One point of concern is the addition of potentially allergy-causing ingredients like turkey, chicken, and peas.

 

13. Harrington’s Dog Food Complete Lamb And Rice Dry Mix

Rating: 4.5/5 from 1226 reviews.

Harrington’s complete lamb and rice dry dog food has simple, natural ingredients to help improve digestion and reduce gas in your dog. Nutrients include Omega-3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential amino acids. Dried kelp is included as a source of vitamins and minerals, and for its benefits of healthy skin and fur condition.

Reviewers love improved digestive health and reducing itchiness in pups with pre-existing skin conditions. Some buyers have voiced concerns about the freshness of the product delivered to them by online sellers, but this is not an issue when the food is bought in-store.

The ingredients are simple and mostly from natural sources. However, owners of dogs with allergies should be cautious. The product does contain poultry and the first ingredient is listed as “lamb and meat meals.”

 

14. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe

Rating: 4.5/5 from 229 reviews.

Adult dog food, which is suitable for healthy dogs of all sizes. Carefully selected ingredients include extra vitamins, minerals, and omega oils such as Omega-3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. There are several natural sources of fiber to support the healthy digestive system of an adult dog.

Reviews are mostly positive, with owners praising the dry dog food for clearing up allergy issues, itchy skin, and ears. This food is also excellent for picky eaters.

Some buyers were unhappy with the strong smell of the product and others claimed that the large kibble size was too big for their small dogs.

The inclusion of chicken fat and corn makes this food unsuitable for dogs allergic to those ingredients.

 

Good for Dogs with Allergies

The biggest selling point of lamb and rice dog food is its low allergenic potential. Few dogs are allergic to the ingredients. The most common culprits are chicken by-product meal, beef, and dairy products. Certain grains, such as corn, can also cause allergies in canines.

Symptoms of allergies in dogs range from itchy skin and hives to ear and paw infections that just don’t seem to go away. If your dog suffers from allergic reactions to his or her food, the best treatment is to change the dog food brand.

A study in 1994 tested how dogs with food allergies reacted to different diets. The results showed commercial lamb and rice dog food was the best option for these pups. 65% had no symptoms at all after switching to the diet.

Vets use the low allergenic potential of lamb and rice food diets. When dogs are tested for food allergies, they are initially fed lamb and rice to clear up any symptoms. Other ingredients are gradually introduced to test if the dog is allergic to each one individually.

That sounds fantastic! Unfortunately, there is still a slight risk of your canine having an allergy to a lamb and rice diet. The study from 1994 I mentioned earlier found 3 of the 20 dogs had worse symptoms after switching to the diet. So, although lamb and rice are an excellent choice for most dogs with allergies, owners should be careful if their pup is especially sensitive.

Taurine Deficiency in Dogs

Despite all the benefits of lamb and rice dog food, there is one major downfall associated with this combination of ingredients. A study, conducted in 2003 to test the nutritional value of various dog foods. The researchers found that when dogs ate a store-bought lamb meal and rice dog food; they had a lower amount of taurine in their blood compared to dogs that had other types of food.

Is taurine important for your dog? Taurine is an amino acid, a building block for proteins. There is no legal requirement to add this nutrient to commercial lamb dog foods. Talk to your vet about nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages. Or contact a vet right now through our chat window.

If you want to feed your dog a lamb and rice diet but are concerned about your best friend getting enough taurine, all is not lost! Your vet can test your dog’s blood to check they have enough of this nutrient in their diet. If they diagnose your dog with a taurine deficiency, it is usually easily treated by feeding additional taurine supplements with their food.

 

Author: Victoria Molloy – Victoria Molloy developed a love for animals at a young age, driving her to pursue a career in animal science. She has recently graduated with a B.Sc. in Zoology, which has given her an appreciation for animals of all shapes and sizes. Currently, the owner of one dog, three cats, a pony and a horse; Victoria seeks to educate and entertain her fellow pet owners and animal lovers around the world.

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Cover image by Joanna Malinowska