Nulo, established in 2009 by Michael Landa and Brett Montana in Austin, Texas, has carved a niche in the pet food industry with its focus on high-protein, low-carbohydrate recipes. Initially backed by investors, the company transitioned to private equity firm Apex Partners LLP in 2021. Nulo dog food is manufactured in US facilities across Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota, utilizing third-party manufacturers and a network of both domestic and international partners to produce their diverse product lines.
Offering a wide array of options, Nulo caters to various canine dietary needs with dry, wet, and freeze-dried raw pet foods, alongside meal toppers, treats, and hydration supplements. This comprehensive Nulo Dog Food Reviews article delves into the ingredient quality and safety of Nulo’s dog food, providing an objective assessment based on established criteria.
Nulo Challenger Dry Food Review
Score: 5.4/10
The Nulo Challenger Dry Food line positions itself as a high-protein kibble option. Let’s examine the Northern Catch Haddock, Salmon & Redfish recipe in detail.
Package Ingredient List For Challenger High-Protein Kibble Northern Catch Haddock, Salmon & Redfish: Haddock, deboned salmon, salmon meal, turkey meal, chicken meal, organic oats, chickenfat (preserved with mixed tocopherols & citric acid), organic millet, organic barley, acadian redfish, ground miscanthus grass, natural flavor, calcium carbonate, salt, dried pumpkin, dried blueberries, dried spinach, dried chicory root, dl-methionine, choline chloride, taurine, potassium chloride, vitamin e supplement, zinc proteinate, zinc sulfate, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin c), iron proteinate, niacin supplement, ferrous sulfate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, vitamin a supplement, manganese proteinate, thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, manganous oxide, biotin, dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product, vitamin b12 supplement, vitamin d3 supplement, folic acid, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, rosemary extract
Based on our evaluation, Nulo Challenger Dry Food is categorized as a moderate risk dog food. Several factors contribute to this classification, which we will explore further.
Ingredient Quality Analysis in Nulo Challenger Dry Food
Ingredient quality is paramount when assessing any dog food. For Nulo Challenger Dry Food, several aspects raise concerns.
High Carbohydrate Content: This line averages 27% carbohydrates. While some carbohydrates are necessary in kibble for extrusion, dogs have no nutritional requirement for them. Excessive carbohydrates in dog food often serve as inexpensive fillers, potentially leading to health issues. High starch levels can cause rapid insulin spikes, contribute to obesity, and disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome.
Excessive Added Vitamins and Minerals: The inclusion of numerous added vitamins and minerals detracts from the ingredient quality score. This practice often indicates the use of lower quality or heavily processed ingredients that have lost their natural nutrient content. Ideally, a high-quality dog food should derive its nutrients primarily from whole food sources. Over-supplementation, particularly with vitamins like D and copper, can also stem from the use of pre-mixed vitamin supplements, potentially leading to imbalances.
Added Amino Acids: The presence of added amino acids, specifically DL-Methionine and Taurine, is another point of concern. Animal-based proteins are naturally richer in essential amino acids compared to plant-based proteins and are also more expensive. The addition of amino acids can suggest an attempt to compensate for a lower proportion of animal protein in the recipe, potentially indicating the use of cheaper, less biologically appropriate ingredients.
Ingredient Safety Evaluation in Nulo Challenger Dry Food
Ingredient safety is just as crucial as quality. Nulo Challenger Dry Food presents several safety concerns.
Ultra-Processed Nature: Dry kibble, by its very nature, is ultra-processed. The ingredients undergo multiple heating stages during manufacturing, which can significantly diminish the levels of beneficial enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, and phytonutrients. The consumption of ultra-processed foods has been linked to increased mortality rates across various species, raising concerns about long-term health impacts on dogs.
Potential for High Pesticide and Herbicide Residues: Certain ingredients in these recipes are known to accumulate high levels of pesticide and herbicide residues. Unless explicitly stated as organic, crops like oats and barley can be sprayed with Roundup (glyphosate-based herbicide) as a drying agent before harvest. This practice can result in higher glyphosate residues even compared to genetically modified crops. Glyphosate is an antibiotic that can disrupt the beneficial bacteria in the gut and has been linked to serious health issues, including cancer.
“Natural Flavor” Concerns: The inclusion of “natural flavor” is a common practice in pet food to enhance palatability, especially in processed foods. However, “natural flavor” is often vaguely defined and can be a source of concern. It frequently consists of monosodium glutamate (MSG) or animal digest, both considered lower-quality ingredients with limited research on their long-term safety in pet food.
Benefits of Nulo Challenger Dry Food
Despite the concerns, Nulo Challenger Dry Food does offer some beneficial features.
Probiotics Inclusion: The presence of guaranteed probiotics is a positive aspect. Nulo specifies the Colony Forming Units (CFUs), ensuring a measurable amount of beneficial bacteria in the food. Probiotics are crucial for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, aiding digestion and supporting the immune system.
Organic Produce and Grains: The use of organic oats, millet, and barley is a noteworthy benefit. Organic certification ensures that these ingredients are non-GMO and grown without synthetic pesticides and herbicides, reducing the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals.
Non-GMO Verified: Nulo Challenger Dry Food is Non-GMO Project Verified, which is a desirable feature for pet owners concerned about genetically modified organisms in their dog’s diet. While research on GMO safety is ongoing, many pet owners prefer to avoid GMO ingredients due to potential long-term health and environmental concerns.
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Nulo Challenger High-Protein Kibble Northern Catch Haddock, Salmon & Redfish Dry Dog Food packaging featuring fish and kibble
Nulo Freestyle Dry Food Review
Score: 4/10
Moving on to the Nulo Freestyle Dry Food line, we examine the High-Protein Kibble Turkey And Sweet Potato Recipe.
Package Ingredients For Nulo Freestyle High-Protein Kibble Turkey And Sweet Potato Recipe: Deboned turkey, turkey meal, salmon meal, chickpeas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols & citric acid), sweet potato, yellow peas, deboned trout, pea fiber, natural flavor, yeast culture, dried chicory root, dried tomatoes, dried carrots, dried blueberries, dried apples, salt, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, potassium chloride, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, l-ascorbyl-2- polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), iron proteinate, niacin, copper proteinate, thiamine mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, manganous oxide, pyridoxine hydrochloride source of vitamin B6), selenium yeast, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, folic acid, rosemary extract.
Nulo Freestyle Dry Food is assessed as a high-risk dog food based on our evaluation criteria, primarily due to ingredient quality and safety concerns.
Ingredient Quality Analysis in Nulo Freestyle Dry Food
Similar to the Challenger line, ingredient quality issues are present in the Freestyle Dry Food.
High Carbohydrate Content: The Freestyle line contains an average of 32% carbohydrates, even higher than the Challenger line. As previously discussed, high carbohydrate levels are not ideal for dogs and can contribute to various health problems. The reliance on carbohydrates as fillers reduces the nutritional density and biological appropriateness of the food.
Excessive Added Vitamins and Minerals: Again, the excessive supplementation with added vitamins and minerals is a concern. This suggests that the primary ingredients may be lacking in natural nutrients due to processing or inherent low quality, necessitating artificial fortification to meet nutritional standards.
Ingredient Safety Evaluation in Nulo Freestyle Dry Food
Safety concerns are also significant in the Nulo Freestyle Dry Food line.
Ultra-Processed: As with all dry kibble, Nulo Freestyle is ultra-processed. This processing method can degrade the nutritional integrity of the ingredients and may have negative long-term health implications for dogs.
High Pesticide/Herbicide Foods in the Top 5 Ingredients: A critical concern is the presence of ingredients known for high pesticide and herbicide residues within the top 5 ingredients. Chickpeas and peas, common in this formula, can be heavily sprayed with glyphosate. The concentration of these residues is likely to be higher when they appear so prominently in the ingredient list, increasing the potential exposure to harmful glyphosate.
“Natural Flavor” Concerns: The use of “natural flavor” remains a concern in this line, with the same potential risks associated with MSG or animal digest as low-quality additives.
Benefits of Nulo Freestyle Dry Food
Despite the safety and quality concerns, Nulo Freestyle Dry Food shares some positive attributes with the Challenger line.
Probiotics Inclusion: The inclusion of guaranteed probiotics with specified CFUs is a benefit, supporting canine gut health.
Non-GMO Ingredients: The “Non-GMO Verified” status is maintained in the Freestyle line, appealing to owners seeking to avoid genetically modified ingredients.
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Nulo Frontrunner Dry Food Review
Score: 3.6/10
The Nulo Frontrunner Dry Food line is represented here by the High-Protein Kibble Beef, Barley And Lamb Recipe.
Package Ingredients For Nulo Frontrunner High-Protein Kibble Beef, Barley And Lamb Recipe: Deboned beef, chicken meal, oats, barley, brown rice, turkey meal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols & citric acid), ground flaxseed, deboned lamb, natural flavor, millet, ground miscanthus grass, brewers dried yeast, potassium chloride, dried egg product, dried blueberries, dried apples, dried chicory root, salt, DL-methionine, choline chloride, taurine, calcium carbonate, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, iron proteinate, niacin supplement, ferrous sulfate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, vitamin A supplement, manganese proteinate, thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, manganous oxide, biotin, dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, rosemary extract
Nulo Frontrunner Dry Food is also classified as a high-risk dog food, scoring even lower than the Freestyle line.
Ingredient Quality Analysis in Nulo Frontrunner Dry Food
Ingredient quality issues are amplified in the Frontrunner line.
High Carbohydrate Content: The average carbohydrate content escalates to 36% in the Frontrunner line, the highest among the dry food lines reviewed. This further emphasizes the reliance on carbohydrates as fillers, diluting the protein content and increasing the glycemic load. Notably, the carbohydrate content in Frontrunner exceeds the protein content (average 27%), which is less than ideal for a high-protein marketed food.
Excessive Added Vitamins and Minerals: The pattern of excessive added vitamins and minerals persists, again suggesting a compromise in the quality and natural nutrient density of the base ingredients.
Added Amino Acids: Similar to the Challenger line, the addition of amino acids (DL-Methionine and Taurine) indicates a potential need to supplement the amino acid profile, possibly due to lower animal protein content.
Ingredient Safety Evaluation in Nulo Frontrunner Dry Food
Ingredient safety concerns are also prominent in the Frontrunner line, with additional issues.
Ultra-Processed: Frontrunner Dry Food is, like other kibbles, ultra-processed, carrying the associated risks of nutrient degradation and potential health impacts.
High Pesticide/Herbicide Foods in the Top 5 Ingredients: Oats and barley, within the top 5 ingredients, are again potential sources of high pesticide and herbicide residues, particularly glyphosate.
Rice Inclusion: The presence of brown rice is a new safety concern in the Frontrunner line. Rice is known to accumulate arsenic from the environment, particularly if grown in contaminated water. Arsenic is a known carcinogen and is linked to various chronic health problems. This inclusion is especially concerning given Nulo’s marketing that they avoid rice.
“Natural Flavor” Concerns: The use of “natural flavor” continues to be a concern, with the same potential risks associated with low-quality additives.
Benefits of Nulo Frontrunner Dry Food
The benefits are consistent with other dry food lines in the Nulo range.
Probiotics Inclusion: Guaranteed probiotics with specified CFUs are included, which is a positive feature for gut health.
Non-GMO Ingredients: The “Non-GMO Verified” status is maintained.
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Nulo Medal Series Dry Food Review
Score: 4.6/10
The Nulo Medal Series Dry Food is represented by the High Protein Kibble Chicken and Peas Recipe.
Package Ingredients For Nulo Medal Series High Protein Kibble Chicken and Peas Recipe: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, whole peas, sweet potato, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols & citric acid), lentils, pea fiber, deboned turkey, natural chicken flavor, yeast culture, salmon oil (source of DHA), dried chicory root, potassium chloride, dried carrots, dried tomatoes, dried blueberries, dried apples, calcium carbonate, salt, sweet fennel, dandelion, chamomile, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), iron proteinate, niacin, copper proteinate, choline chloride, thiamine mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, manganous oxide, pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), sodium selenite, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, folic acid, rosemary extract.
Nulo Medal Series Dry Food is also categorized as a high-risk dog food, sharing similar concerns with the other dry food lines.
Ingredient Quality Analysis in Nulo Medal Series Dry Food
Ingredient quality concerns persist in the Medal Series.
High Carbohydrate Content: The Medal Series averages 32% carbohydrates, consistent with the Freestyle line. The implications of high carbohydrate content for canine health remain the same.
Excessive Added Vitamins and Minerals: The reliance on excessive added vitamins and minerals is again observed, pointing to potential compromises in ingredient quality and processing.
Ingredient Safety Evaluation in Nulo Medal Series Dry Food
Safety concerns are also consistent.
Ultra-Processed: Medal Series Dry Food is ultra-processed kibble, with associated risks.
High Pesticide/Herbicide Foods in the Top 5 Ingredients: Peas, present in the top 5 ingredients, are again a potential source of high pesticide and herbicide residues, particularly glyphosate.
“Natural Flavor” Concerns: “Natural flavor” continues to be used, raising the same concerns as in other dry food lines.
Benefits of Nulo Medal Series Dry Food
The benefits are consistent.
Probiotics Inclusion: Guaranteed probiotics with specified CFUs are included.
Non-GMO Ingredients: The “Non-GMO Verified” status is maintained.
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Nulo Challenger Canned Food Review
Score: 6.8/10
Moving to wet food options, we begin with the Nulo Challenger Canned Food line and the Harvest Turkey Stew Recipe.
Package Ingredients For Nulo Challenger Harvest Turkey Stew Recipe: Turkey, turkey bone broth, turkey liver, carrots, green beans, pumpkin, organic oats, dried ground chickpeas, ground golden flaxseed, dicalcium phosphate, salmon oil, egg whites, inulin, salt, potassium chloride, dried kelp, dried thyme, turmeric, natural hickory smoke, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin E supplement, dried parsley, manganese amino acid chelate, taurine, niacinamide, choline chloride, d-calcium pantothenate, copper amino acid chelate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, selenium yeast, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement.
Nulo Challenger Wet Food is considered a moderate risk dog food, scoring higher than the dry food lines.
Ingredient Quality Analysis in Nulo Challenger Canned Food
Ingredient quality in the Challenger Wet Food shows some improvements but still has concerns.
Moderately High Carbohydrate Content: While lower than the dry food, Challenger Wet Food still has 20% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis. This is considered high for wet dog food, which ideally should be lower in carbohydrates. Excessive carbohydrates, even in wet food, are not biologically necessary for dogs and can contribute to health issues.
Excessive Added Vitamins: Similar to the dry food, excessive added vitamins are a concern. While wet food processing is different, the presence of numerous added vitamins still suggests a reliance on supplementation rather than naturally nutrient-rich ingredients.
Sugar Source (Honey): The presence of honey, an added sugar, is a new concern in the wet food line. Added sugars are generally low-quality ingredients in dog food. They can contribute to gut imbalances, obesity, and insulin spikes.
Ingredient Safety Evaluation in Nulo Challenger Canned Food
Ingredient safety concerns are somewhat reduced in the wet food but still present.
Highly Processed: Canned food, while different from kibble, is still highly processed. The heating during canning, both before and during the process, can degrade certain nutrients, although potentially to a lesser extent than the high-heat extrusion of kibble.
Potential for High Pesticide/Herbicide Foods: Ingredients like oats and chickpeas still carry the potential for high pesticide and herbicide residues unless specified as organic.
Benefits of Nulo Challenger Canned Food
The benefits are more limited in the wet food lines compared to the dry food.
Non-GMO Ingredients: The “Non-GMO Verified” status is maintained.
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Nulo Freestyle Canned Food Review
Score: 6.6/10
The Nulo Freestyle Canned Food line is represented by the Beef, Peas and Carrot Recipe Canned Food.
Package Ingredients for Nulo Freestyle Beef, Peas and Carrot Recipe Canned Food: Beef, Turkey, Beef Broth, Beef Liver, Peas, Carrots, Ground Flaxseed, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Agar-Agar, Salt, Choline Chloride, Natural Flavor, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Sodium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Cobalt Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Nulo Freestyle Canned Food is also considered a moderate risk dog food, with a slightly lower score than the Challenger canned line.
Ingredient Quality Analysis in Nulo Freestyle Canned Food
Ingredient quality concerns are similar to the Challenger canned food.
Moderately High Carbohydrate Content: The carbohydrate content is 11% on a dry matter basis, which is acceptable for wet food, but still not as low as some other brands.
Excessive Added Vitamins and Minerals: Excessive vitamin and mineral supplementation remains a concern, indicating potential reliance on artificial fortification.
Ingredient Safety Evaluation in Nulo Freestyle Canned Food
Safety concerns are also similar.
Highly Processed: Freestyle Canned Food is highly processed due to the canning process.
High Pesticide/Herbicide Foods in the Top 5 Ingredients: Peas in the top 5 ingredients present the same potential pesticide and herbicide residue concerns.
“Natural Flavor” Concerns: “Natural flavor” continues to be used, with the same associated risks.
Benefits of Nulo Freestyle Canned Food
The benefits are consistent with the Challenger canned line.
Non-GMO Ingredients: The “Non-GMO Verified” status is maintained.
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Nulo Medal Series Canned Food Review
Score: 6.7/10
Finally, we review the Nulo Medal Series Canned Food line, specifically the Lamb & Lentils Recipe.
Package Ingredients For Nulo Medal Series Lamb & Lentils Recipe: Lamb, turkey, turkey liver, lamb broth, turkey broth, lentils, carrots, salmon,ground flaxseed, guar gum, salt, agar-agar, potassium chloride, natural flavor, choline chloride, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, sodium carbonate, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin E supplement, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, cobalt proteinate, niacin supplement, d-Calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, potassium iodide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.
Nulo Medal Series Wet Food is also categorized as a moderate risk dog food, scoring similarly to the other canned lines.
Ingredient Quality Analysis in Nulo Medal Series Canned Food
Ingredient quality concerns are consistent across the canned food lines.
Moderately High Carbohydrate Content: The carbohydrate content is 12% on a dry matter basis, similar to the Freestyle canned food and acceptable but not exceptionally low for wet food.
Excessive Added Vitamins and Minerals: Excessive vitamin and mineral supplementation remains a concern.
Sugar Source (Honey): Although not listed in the provided ingredient list for this specific recipe, the original article mentions honey as a sugar source in the Medal Series canned line. If present in other Medal Series canned recipes, it would be a concern. (Note: Ingredient list provided does not include honey, might be an error in original article’s generalisation). Double check ingredient lists on product packaging for specific recipes.
Ingredient Safety Evaluation in Nulo Medal Series Canned Food
Safety concerns are also consistent.
Highly Processed: Medal Series Canned Food is highly processed.
High Pesticide/Herbicide Foods in the Top 5 Ingredients: Lentils, if in the top 5 ingredients in some recipes, could pose pesticide and herbicide residue concerns.
“Natural Flavor” Concerns: “Natural flavor” is used, with the same associated risks.
Benefits of Nulo Medal Series Canned Food
The benefits are consistent with the other canned food lines.
Non-GMO Ingredients: The “Non-GMO Verified” status is maintained.
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Is Nulo A Good Dog Food Brand Overall?
Based on our detailed nulo dog food reviews and evaluation criteria, Nulo’s dry dog foods are generally considered moderate to high risk, while their wet food lines are consistently categorized as moderate risk.
A recurring theme across Nulo’s product lines, particularly the dry foods, is the high level of carbohydrates. This is somewhat paradoxical given Nulo’s founding premise of reducing high carbohydrate fillers prevalent in many mainstream pet foods, which contribute to pet obesity and diabetes. Nulo dry dog foods range from 27% to 36% carbohydrates on average, while wet foods range from 11% to 19% on a dry matter basis. While the wet food carbohydrate levels are lower, some recipes are still comparatively high for canned dog food. Furthermore, in three dry food lines – Freestyle, Frontrunner, and Medal Series – the average carbohydrate content surpasses the protein content, which may not align with the ideal macronutrient profile for dogs.
Despite claiming to avoid potato, rice, and tapioca, brown rice is indeed present in the Frontrunner Dry line. While Nulo emphasizes the use of low-glycemic carbohydrates like oats, barley, sweet potato, chickpeas, and lentils, these are still starch-rich carbohydrates. High starch intake can lead to insulin spikes, obesity, and gut microbiome imbalances in dogs.
Like all kibble-based diets, Nulo’s dry dog foods are ultra-processed. The intense heat involved in extrusion can significantly reduce nutrient bioavailability. Canned foods also undergo heating processes during manufacturing. This necessitates the addition of synthetic vitamins and minerals to both dry and canned recipes to meet AAFCO nutritional standards.
Almost all Nulo recipes contain ingredients known to potentially carry higher pesticide or herbicide residues, with many of these ingredients appearing in the top 5. However, it is positive that Nulo appears to avoid GMO ingredients throughout their product range.
Nulo frequently uses “meals” as top ingredients, which are dehydrated forms of meat, poultry, and fish with reduced fat and moisture content. While Nulo promotes industry-leading levels of animal-based protein, other brands reviewed on this website may offer even higher protein content.
A notable positive for Nulo’s dry foods is the inclusion of a natural probiotic with a spore casing, designed to enhance viability through the digestive process. Nulo also guarantees the levels of added probiotics, which is a beneficial feature for gut health.
Other Considerations for Nulo Dog Food
Beyond the scoring criteria, several additional points are worth considering when evaluating Nulo dog food.
“Glam” Ingredients: Some Nulo recipes incorporate “glam” ingredients. These are often expensive or trendy ingredients like blueberries, kale, or apples, seemingly added to appeal to health-conscious consumers. However, as they are typically listed below salt in the ingredient list, their inclusion is likely in minuscule amounts, offering minimal to negligible nutritional benefit to your dog.
Coconut Oil: The use of coconut oil, while not directly impacting the score, is a point of consideration. Emerging research suggests that coconut oil may induce undesirable alterations in the gut lining of dogs, warranting further investigation and potentially cautious use.
Undisclosed Omega-6:Omega-3 Ratio: Nulo, like many pet food brands, does not explicitly state the omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio in their foods. While common practice, this is a concern because AAFCO guidelines permit a very pro-inflammatory ratio of up to 30:1. Diets excessively rich in omega-6 fatty acids can promote chronic inflammation and associated diseases.
Unspecified Fish Sourcing (Farmed vs. Wild-Caught): Nulo’s ingredient lists do not specify whether the fish used is farmed or wild-caught. Farmed fish generally has a less favorable nutritional profile compared to wild-caught fish, particularly concerning the balance of healthy fatty acids. Wild-caught fish is often preferred for its potentially higher nutrient density and healthier omega-3 fatty acid profile.
Nulo Dog Food Recalls History
As of this review, Nulo dog food has not been subject to any recalls. This is a positive indicator of their manufacturing and quality control processes.
Evaluation Criteria Summary
Our nulo dog food reviews and scores are based on the following two key criteria:
Ingredient Quality Assessment:
We evaluate the ingredient quality by looking for markers of lower quality and less biologically appropriate ingredients, including:
- Excessive Carbohydrate Content: High carbohydrate levels can disrupt gut health and contribute to metabolic issues.
- Unnamed Proteins: The use of generic “meat meal” or “poultry by-product meal” without specifying the animal source indicates lower quality.
- Cellulose (Wood Pulp): Cellulose as a primary fiber source is a low-quality filler with minimal nutritional value.
- Excessive Added Vitamins and Minerals: Over-supplementation suggests a lack of natural nutrients in the base ingredients.
- Excessive Added Amino Acids or Plant Proteins: High levels of plant proteins or added amino acids can compensate for lower animal protein content, which is less biologically appropriate for dogs.
- Inflammatory Processed Seed Oils: Oils like soybean oil, corn oil, and sunflower oil are high in omega-6 fatty acids and can promote inflammation.
Ingredient Safety Assessment:
Ingredient safety is assessed by considering potential contaminants and processing concerns:
- Food Processing Level: Ultra-processed foods like kibble undergo multiple heating stages that can degrade nutrients and potentially form harmful compounds.
- Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): The presence of GMO ingredients is a safety concern for some pet owners.
- High Pesticide/Herbicide Ingredients: Ingredients known to accumulate pesticides and herbicides, like glyphosate, raise safety concerns.
- “Natural Flavor”: This vague ingredient can hide less desirable additives like MSG or animal digest.
- Rice: Rice can contain arsenic, a toxic heavy metal.
Each Nulo dog food line is objectively evaluated against these criteria, and a score is assigned based on the average of ingredient quality and safety assessments. It is important to note that this is an independent review, and we have no affiliations or financial incentives related to Nulo or any other pet food brand. We aim to provide unbiased information to assist dog owners in making informed decisions about their pet’s nutrition. Our reviews are conducted in partnership between Dogs Naturally and DogFoodReviews.com. For a more detailed understanding of our evaluation process, you can review the complete Evaluation Criteria on DogFoodReviews.com.
