Nulo Information
Nulo was founded in 2009 by Michael Landa after he discovered high rates of obesity and weight issues among pets at his pet care business. Michael found that most pet food brands were overloaded with carbohydrates, which were contributing to obesity and weight gain.
Since then, Nulo has built upon its success to create an expansive pet food brand offering recipes to dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes. Their focus on excellent nutrition has not been dropped and their recipes offer some of the best nutrition in the industry for their price range.
Nulo is manufactured in several facilities in the United States. This includes locations in Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
Nulo is widely available for purchase and can be seen in many retail pet food stores. They are also available at all of the large online pet food retailers like Chewy, PetFlow, and Amazon.
Nulo Product Range
Dog Food
Nulo’s range of dog food is broad and varied when compared to many other dog food brands. They produce traditional dry dog food, limited ingredient dog food, freeze-dried dog food, canned or wet dog food, and dog treats.
They do have some age-specific recipes within these ranges, such as those for puppies and senior dogs. However, they do not produce breed-specific recipes.
Nulo has also recently branched out into Grain Inclusive dog food like many of its competitors. This is almost certainly a response to the links between the high use of legumes and Canine Heart Disease, which you can read about here.
Cat Food
Nulo’s range of cat food is almost as expansive as its dog food range. It consists of dry cat food, limited ingredient cat food, canned cat food, and cat treats.
In particular, Nulo’s canned cat food is very varied and has several varieties and textures, like “In Gravy”, “In Broth”, “Minced”, and “Flaked”, which is sure to suit every cat’s taste.
Nulo Nutrition
Dog Food
Nulo’s dry dog food recipes offer satisfactory nutrition that is above average and, in many cases, significantly above average.
This nutrition consists of high proportions of protein and fat alongside a modest proportion of carbohydrates.
Below is an example of the nutritional profile offered by one of Nulo’s best dry food recipes.
Nulo’s freeze-dried and wet dog food recipes offer very satisfactory nutrition that consists of significantly above-average protein and fat proportions and tiny quantities of carbohydrates.
Cat Food
The nutrition offered by Nulo cat food recipes is similar to their dog food range and is satisfactory.
It often has very high proportions of protein and fat and modest proportions of carbohydrates.
A diet such as this is crucial for cats who are obligate carnivores and thrive best on a diet low in plant-based material.
Nulo Ingredients
High-Quality Meat & Fish Ingredients
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Duck
- Lamb
- Beef
- Salmon
- Cod
- Trout
Above are some of the high-quality meat and fish ingredients used in Nulo recipes. These can provide high-quality protein and fat to fuel dogs or cats’ growth, repair, and activity.
In particular, fish ingredients such as Salmon can provide high levels of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids. These fatty acids can provide many health benefits, such as improving the condition of skin, coats, and fur and preventing heart disease.
While some of Nulo’s meat and fish ingredients are less common, such as Duck or Trout, these are unlikely to be classed as Novel Meats. Novel Meats are a lifeline for dogs with severe allergies who do not cope well with traditional meat and fish ingredients. Examples could include Venison, Rabbit, and Kangaroo.
Learn more about Novel Meat diets in our Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods Guide.
Other Notable Ingredients
Nulo uses a mix of legume ingredients in its grain-free recipes, such as Peas and Lentils. These legume ingredients are prevalent among pet food manufacturers as they are low-cost, easy to source, and provide favorable nutrition high in protein.
However, as we mentioned earlier, there are links between the high use of legumes in pet food and Canine Heart Disease. If you are interested in learning more about this, we discuss it in depth in our article Best Dog Foods Without Peas.
As we mentioned in the product range section, Nulo has recently expanded its range to include some grain-inclusive recipes. These recipes include grain ingredients such as Oats, Barley, and Spelt. These ingredients provide carbohydrates, fiber, and select vitamins and minerals.
While grain-ingredients are controversial among some pet owners, the grains used by Nulo are some that are favored by many as they are deemed to be less processed and more nutritious. You can learn more about Barley’s use in dog food in our article Barley In Dog Food.
Sweet Potatoes featured in some Nulo recipes. Starch ingredients such as Sweet Potatoes are an extremely dense source of carbohydrates, which means their portion size needs to be tightly controlled. Thankfully, the portion size of Sweet Potatoes in Nulo recipes is usually modest and not worthy of concern.
Menhaden Fish Meal is a common feature in premium dog food brand recipes. Its popularity is thanks to the high proportion of protein and fat that can add to a dog food recipe at a low cost.
An ingredient like this is preferred to plant-based alternatives like Pea Protein. Learn more about Menhaden Fish Meal in our article Menhaden Fish Meal in Dog Food.
Chicken Fat is added to dog food as a nutritious method of improving the kibble palatability and flavor. Animal fat such as Chicken Fat is very appealing to dogs, making previously uninteresting recipes irresistible.
Also, Chicken Fat can be utilized as a dense source of energy for very active dogs. Learn more in our article, Chicken Fat In Dog Food.
Flaxseed is a very popular addition to pet food recipes due to the fact it is one of the best plant-based sources of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids. These fatty acids are believed to provide several health benefits, such as an improvement in the condition of a dog’s skin and coat and a reduction in the risk of certain diseases.
You can learn more about Flaxseed and its benefits in our article Flaxseed In Dog Food.
Chicory Root is added to pet food recipes to provide beneficial vitamins and minerals. It is one of many ingredients that consumers would not normally be familiar with that is often used in pet food recipes.
You can learn more about Chicory Root and exactly what nutrition ti can provide in our article Dried Chicory Root In Dog Food.
Nulo Animal Testing
At this time, we have no definitive information on whether Nulo participates in Animal testing or what kind of testing/feeding trials they do on for their recipes.
Animal testing for the purposes of testing dog food is a cruel and outdated practice. We hope that it will be eliminated or severely reduced in the coming years as more consumers become aware of it.
Nulo Recalls
To date, based on our research (FDA, AVMA, DogFoodAdvisor), we have no information that Nulo has been recalled.
Given that Nulo is almost a decade old, this is a sign that they have taken their manufacturing and safety standards seriously.
However, it is important to be vigilant of any future issues or recalls, as there is no guarantee that Nulo will not be recalled in the future.
Nulo Featured Articles
Best Senior Dog Food – Many dog owners choose not to transition their dogs to senior dog food, but for those who do, there is a growing range of recipes on offer that is tailor-made to suit senior dog’s needs. A recipe from Nulo takes a well-deserved place in this article.
Best Puppy Food – Ensuring your puppy has the appropriate nutrition is vital to ensure they grow up to be healthy, happy, and strong. This article digs into everything you need to know and suggests some of our favorite puppy recipes on offer, including one from Nulo.
Best Canned Dog Food – Canned or wet dog food is a regular treat or addition to many dog’s diets, but what is the difference between dry and canned food, and what should dog owners be on the lookout for? This article answers all the questions and suggests some extremely nutritious formulas for your dog, including one from Nulo.
Best Dog Food For Border Collies – Border Collies are a well-recognized breed and thought to be one of the most intelligent. Their combination of high intelligence and activity means they need a diet tailor-made to their needs. In this article, we discuss Border Collie’s needs and suggest recipes that could best meet these.
Best Dog Food With Salmon – Regular readers of our site will know that we are huge fans of Salmon as a dog food ingredient. It provides a plentiful supply of protein and fat and some of the highest levels of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids. This article discusses Salmon and suggests some fantastic quality Salmon focused formulas, including one from Nulo.
Best of Nulo
Nulo Freestyle Salmon & Peas Recipe Review
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The formula shown above is the freestyle recipe that features Salmon. It also contains a smaller portion of Menhaden Fish Meal, which we discussed earlier, and Turkey.
Salmon is one of our favorite fish ingredients because it is an excellent source of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids.
As expected, these named meat and fish ingredients are highly nutritious and provide valuable protein and fat to help your dog maintain their health and energy.
The industry regulars of Peas, Sweet Potatoes, and Chickpeas are present in reasonable proportions. These provide a fair proportion of carbohydrates and dietary fiber that is not overly large.
Frontrunner Beef, Barley & Lamb Recipe Review
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The above is one of Nulo’s new grain-inclusive recipes, which is almost certainly a response to the growing concerns between the use of legumes in dog food and Canine Heart Disease.
The recipe contains a generous portion of Beef and Chicken and a small portion of Lamb. This combination ensures that the majority of the recipe is meat-based, and the proportion of protein and fat is satisfactory for most dogs.
The recipe then uses a mix of Oats, Barley, and Brown Rice to provide carbohydrates, fiber, and some select vitamins and minerals. All three of these grain ingredients are satisfactory inclusions and should not be feared.
Nulo Freestyle Puppy With Turkey, Cod & Sweet Potatoes Review
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Nulo’s product range includes two canned puppy foods, Turkey, Cod & Sweet Potatoes and Chicken, Salmon & Lentils.
Both of the recipes are very similar, but we have chosen to highlight the Turkey, Cod, and Sweet Potatoes recipe.
The primary ingredients are Turkey, Turkey Liver, Cod, and Turkey/Salmon Broth. This combination of Poultry and Fish provides a satisfactory proportion of bioavailable animal protein and fat and a unique taste.
The recipe also contains small portions of some vegetable and starch ingredients, including Sweet Potatoes, Peas, and Lentils. These provide a small proportion of carbohydrates and dietary fiber.
Chicken & Cod Recipe Review
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Nulo’s dry cat food recipes provide excellent nutrition when compared to some of their competitors, with the above recipe providing 40% protein and 20% fat at a minimum.
This nutrition is thanks to a generous portion of Chicken, Turkey, and Cod. This mix of poultry and fish ingredients are high-quality sources and will provide a consistent texture and taste.
The recipe then uses a modest portion of Peas and Lentils to provide carbohydrates and fiber. This proportion of plant-based ingredients is higher than ideal but far lower than most other cat food recipes.
Shredded Beef & Rainbow Trout Recipe In Gravy Review
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Wet/Canned cat food can be a lifeline to some cats as it can provide them with much-needed moisture. However, the above recipe from Nulo doesn’t just provide moisture and also includes excellent nutrition, high in protein and fat.
Beef, Beef Liver, Eggs, and Trout all contribute to this protein and fat proportion. Trout is a unique addition that is rarely seen in pet food.
The portion of plant-based ingredients in this recipe is tiny and is made up of a small portion of Peas and Spinach.
Nulo Full Product Range
Dry Dog Food
Freestyle Range
Adult Trim Cod & Lentils
Adult Lamb & Chickpeas
Adult Salmon & Peas
Puppy Salmon & Peas
Small Breed Salmon & Red Lentils
Adult Turkey & Sweet Potato
FrontRunner Range
For Puppies Chicken, Oats & Turkey Recipe
For Small Breeds Turkey, Whitefish & Quinoa Recipe
Chicken, Oats & Turkey Recipe
Beef, Barley, & Lamb Recipe
Pork, Barley & Beef Recipe
Turkey, Trout & Spelt Recipe
Challenger Range
Duck, Turkey & Guinea Fowl Recipe
Haddock, Salmon & Redfish Recipe
For Large Breed Puppies Beef, Lamb & Pork Recipe
For Small Breeds Haddock, Salmon & Redfish Recipe
Beef, Lamb & Pork Recipe
Medal Series Range
Senior Chicken & Lentils
Adult Chicken & Peas
Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato
Weight Management Chicken & Sweet Potato
Adult Lamb & Lentils
Adult Salmon & Sweet Potatoes
Small Breed Turkey & Chickpeas
Large Breed Turkey & Peas
Medal Series Ancient Grains
Puppy Turkey, Oats & Guinea Fowl Recipe
Adult Beef, Barley & Lamb Recipe
Adult Turkey, Oats & Guinea Fowl Recipe
Adult Salmon, Oats & Haddock Recipe
Limited Ingredient Range
Puppy & Adult Turkey Recipe
Puppy & Adult Alaska Pollock Recipe
Puppy & Adult Chicken Recipe
Puppy & Adult Salmon Recipe
Puppy & Adult Salmon Recipe
Puppy & Adult Turkey Recipe
Small Breed Turkey Recipe
Freeze Dried Dog Food
Freeze Dried Raw Beef Recipe With Apples
Freeze Dried Raw Duck Recipe With Pears
Freeze Dried Raw Lamb Recipe With Raspberries
Freeze Dried Raw Salmon & Turkey Recipe With Strawberries
Freeze Dried Raw Turkey Recipe With Cranberries
Pate Recipes (Canned)
Freestyle Range
Adult Beef, Peas, & Carrots
Adult Chicken, Carrots, & Peas
Puppy Chicken, Salmon, & Lentils
Small Breed Duck & Chickpeas
Adult Lamb & Lentils
Small Breed Lamb & Sweet Potato
Adult Trim Turkey & Cod
Small Breed Turkey & Lentils
Adult Turkey & Sweet Potato
Puppy Turkey, Cod, & Sweet Potato
Adult Turkey, Salmon, & Chickpeas
Medal Series Range
Adult Beef, Peas, & Carrots
Adult Chicken, Carrots, & Peas
Puppy Chicken, Salmon, & Lentils
Small Breed Duck & Chickpeas
Adult Lamb & Lentils
Adult Weight Management Turkey & Cod
Small Breed Turkey & Lentils
Adult Turkey & Sweet Potato
Adult Turkey, Salmon & Chickpeas
Limited Ingredient Range
Adult Chicken
Adult Turkey
Challenger Range
Savory Chicken Stew
Homestyle Beef Stew
Harvest Turkey Stew
Dog Treats
Protein Sticks (Treats)
Chicken Recipe
Chicken Recipe
Salmon Recipe
Salmon Recipe
Turkey Recipe
Turkey Recipe
Dry Cat Food
Freestyle Range
Chicken & Cod Recipe
Trim Salmon & Lentils Recipe
Indoor Cat Duck & Lentils Recipe
For Seniors Alaska Pollock, Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe
Turkey & Duck Recipe
MedalSeries Range
Indoor Cat Duck & Cod Recipe
Indoor Cat Trout & Duck Recipe
Indoor Cat Turkey & Chicken Recipe
Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey Recipe
Weight Management Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
Limited Ingredient Diet Chicken Recipe
Turkey & Cod Recipe
Salmon & Lentils Recipe
Chicken & Peas Recipe
For Seniors Turkey, Alaska Pollock & Red Lentils Recipe
Canned/Wet Cat Food
Freestyle Range
Turkey & Chicken Recipe
Salmon & Mackerel Recipe
Duck & Tuna Recipe
Shredded Chicken & Duck Recipe In Gravy
Shredded Turkey & Halibut Recipe In Gravy
Shredded Beef & Rainbow Trout Recipe In Gravy
Beef & Lamb Recipe
Chicken & Herring Recipe
Trout & Salmon Recipe
Silky Mousse Chicken & Salmon Recipe
Silky Mousse Yellowfin Tuna & Shrimp Recipe
Silky Mousse Chicken & Duck Recipe
Silky Mousse Beef & Sardine Recipe
Chicken & Mackerel In Broth Recipe
Yellowfin Tuna & Shrimp In Broth Recipe
Chicken & Salmon In Broth Recipe
Chicken In Broth Recipe
Yellowfin Tuna & Duck In Broth Recipe
Perfect Puree Tuna & Scallop Recipe
Perfect Puree Chicken Recipe
MedalSeries Range
Minced Turkey & Duck Recipe In Gravy
Minced Salmon & Turkey Recipe In Gravy
Minced Beef & Mackerel Recipe In Gravy
Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey & Turkey Liver Recipe
Limited Ingredient Diet Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe
Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon Recipe
Perfect Puree Chicken & Salmon Recipe
Perfect Puree Chicken Recipe
Perfect Puree Tuna & Scallop Recipe
Perfect Puree Tuna & Crab Recipe
Perfect Puree Beef & Sardine Recipe
Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Turkey & Duck Recipe
Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken & Salmon Recipe
