Is Nulo Cat Food truly a blend of “nutrition” and “love” as its name suggests? As pet owners, we always strive to give our cats the best, and diet plays a crucial role in their overall health and happiness. This comprehensive and unbiased Nulo cat food review dives deep into the brand, analyzing its ingredients, product range, customer feedback, and more to help you make an informed decision for your beloved feline.
Evaluating Nulo Cat Food: Our Cats.com Standard Rating
At Cats.com, we take cat food reviews seriously. We’ve put Nulo cat food through our rigorous Cats.com standard evaluation process, meticulously assessing it across six key criteria: species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how Nulo performed in each area:
Nulo Cat Food Ratings:
- Species-Appropriateness: 8/10
- Ingredient Quality: 8/10
- Product Variety: 10/10
- Price: 6/10
- Customer Experience: 5/10
- Recall History: 10/10
Overall Score: 7.8/10
Cats.com Grade: B+ (50 out of 60 points)
We award Nulo cat food a solid B+ grade, reflecting its strengths in ingredient quality and variety while acknowledging areas for potential improvement.
Why You Can Trust Cats.com’s Nulo Cat Food Review
My evaluation of Nulo cat food is rooted in firsthand experience and thorough research. I’ve personally purchased and tested various Nulo recipes with my own cats, observing their palatability and digestibility. Beyond home testing, I’ve delved into the brand’s ingredient sourcing, quality control, customer service reputation, and any history of recalls. This comprehensive approach ensures our review aligns with the stringent Cats.com standards for accuracy and objectivity.
To further enhance our review’s credibility, we sent Nulo cat food samples to an independent food chemistry lab for analytical testing. This lab analysis provides precise data on macronutrient and micronutrient content, crucial for evaluating the food’s nutritional profile. The testing also includes screening for microbial contaminants, yeast, mold, and heavy metals, ensuring a thorough safety assessment. This rigorous lab verification underscores our commitment to providing you with trustworthy information about the food you’re feeding your cat. Our entire testing process is funded by Cats.com, ensuring no external influence from pet food companies, maintaining the integrity and unbiased nature of our reviews.
The Story Behind Nulo Cat Food: From Dog-Sitting to Nutritional Innovation
The Nulo cat food story began with Michael Landa, a passionate pet lover and entrepreneur who started a dog-sitting business. His experience exposed him to a concerning trend: a significant number of overweight and diabetic pets requiring insulin injections. This observation sparked his investigation into the link between pet nutrition and these health issues.
Driven by his findings, Michael discovered what he considered a widespread issue: the use of high-glycemic ingredients in many commercial pet foods. Determined to create a healthier alternative, he collaborated with animal nutritionists, veterinarians, and food formulation experts to develop a new pet food brand. Nulo was officially launched in 2009, built on the principle of providing pets with biologically appropriate, high-quality nutrition.
Nulo positions itself as a brand for fitness-conscious pet owners seeking premium fuel for their animal companions. This is reflected in their choice of brand ambassadors, which include Olympic medalists, professional CrossFit athletes, and fitness trainers. Nulo has even partnered with Ironman events, further emphasizing its association with athletic performance and optimal health. In 2017, Nulo collaborated with PetSmart on the “Squat Your Dog Challenge,” showcasing their commitment to pet wellness and active lifestyles.
Nulo Cat Food: Ingredient Sourcing and Manufacturing Locations
While Nulo is headquartered in Austin, Texas, they source ingredients globally to ensure quality and variety. Their website emphasizes a commitment to traceable and tested ingredients. The majority of their animal protein sources, including fish, poultry, and meat, are sourced from North America, France, and New Zealand, regions known for their stringent quality standards in food production. Plant-based ingredients and vitamin packs are sourced from North America and other carefully selected regions worldwide. Nulo asserts that all ingredients undergo rigorous testing for both quality and safety before being incorporated into their recipes.
Manufacturing of Nulo cat food is primarily based in the United States. This includes their dry kibble, canned wet food, hearty stews, freeze-dried raw options, dog treats, and water enhancers. However, certain wet food formats, specifically their meaty pouches, Silky Mousse, and Perfect Purees recipes, are produced in a facility located in Thailand. Nulo maintains that regardless of the manufacturing location, they uphold strict quality control protocols to ensure product safety and nutritional integrity.
Nulo Cat Food Recall History: A Clean Record
For pet owners, a brand’s recall history is a critical factor in determining trustworthiness. We are pleased to report that Nulo cat food boasts a clean recall record. As of this review, there are no documented instances of Nulo cat food recalls. This spotless history provides reassurance regarding their commitment to product safety and quality control. However, it is always advisable to stay informed about any potential future recalls by regularly checking the FDA website and other pet food recall resources.
Exploring the Variety of Nulo Cat Food Products
Nulo cat food stands out for its extensive product range, offering a diverse selection of grain-free wet and dry food options to cater to various feline needs and preferences. Their product lines include:
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Nulo Freestyle: This flagship line is built around high-meat, grain-free recipes in both dry and wet formats. Nulo Freestyle dry cat foods prioritize animal protein, with the first 3-4 ingredients consistently being meat sources. Their wet foods emphasize “industry-leading meat levels,” appealing to a cat’s natural carnivorous diet. The Freestyle line also features freeze-dried raw recipes for pet owners seeking minimally processed options.
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Nulo Limited Ingredient Diet (LID): Designed for cats with food sensitivities or allergies, the Nulo LID line offers both wet and dry formulas with simplified ingredient lists. These recipes are formulated with a limited number of ingredients to minimize potential allergens while still providing complete and balanced nutrition. Nulo LID recipes boast up to 38% crude protein and uniquely include GanedenBC³⁰ probiotic, supporting digestive health, even in sensitive cats.
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Nulo Medalseries: Exclusively available at PetSmart, the Nulo Medalseries line shares similarities with the Freestyle range in terms of grain-free, high-meat formulations. While packaged in distinctive dark, high-contrast packaging, Medalseries offers comparable kibble, canned food, and shredded/flaked meat pouches to the Freestyle line, providing a readily accessible option for PetSmart shoppers.
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Nulo Perfect Purees & Nulo Pouches: These lines offer supplemental feeding options rather than complete meals. Nulo Perfect Purees are lickable treats in tubes, ideal for rewarding or bonding with your cat. Nulo Pouches contain shredded or flaked meat in broth, designed as palatable side dishes, snacks, or food toppers to enhance meals. It is important to note that these pouches are not nutritionally complete and should not be used as a cat’s primary diet. They are free from gums, tapioca, and potato starch, focusing on simple, meat-based ingredients.
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Nulo Crunchy Cat Treats: Nulo offers a variety of crunchy cat treats formulated with specific health benefits in mind. Formulas include Skin and Coat Salmon, Heart Healthy Beef, and Digestive Health Chicken. All are high-protein and support gut health with prebiotics and probiotics. They also incorporate natural fiber for digestion and are low in calories (only 2 kcal per treat) to help manage a cat’s weight while still providing tasty rewards.
A key feature across Nulo dry cat foods is the inclusion of the patented BC30 probiotic. This probiotic strain is known for its stability due to its spore-forming ability. The spore protects the probiotic through processing and stomach acid, allowing it to germinate and become active in the intestines, delivering digestive health benefits.
Real Cats’ Verdict: Palatability and Nutritional Value
Overall, Nulo cat food earns a positive assessment from our feline testers and aligns with expert recommendations for a species-appropriate diet. Nulo recipes are characterized by their high meat protein content and relatively low carbohydrate levels, mirroring a cat’s natural dietary needs. The absence of artificial ingredients and the inclusion of a high-viability probiotic in most recipes are further beneficial features.
For optimal feline health, we generally recommend prioritizing wet food in a cat’s diet. Nulo’s wet food varieties particularly shine, offering even higher percentages of animal-derived ingredients and contributing to essential hydration for cats, who often have a low thirst drive. While Nulo’s dry food options are also high-quality compared to many brands, incorporating wet food is generally considered more biologically appropriate for cats.
Nulo Cat Food: Top 3 Recipes – A Detailed Review
To provide a more granular perspective, we’ve selected three top Nulo cat food recipes for in-depth review:
| Product Name | Food Type | Price (per lb/oz) | Our Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food | Dry | $4.80 per lb | B |
| Nulo Freestyle Duck & Lentils Grain-Free Indoor Dry Cat Food | Dry | $4.81 per lb | B |
| Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat & Kitten Food | Wet | $0.36 per oz | A |
#1 Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food
View on Chewy – $51.99 At Chewy
View on Amazon – $46.79 At Amazon
This Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe dry food prominently features chicken as its primary protein source. The ingredient list begins with deboned chicken and chicken meal, followed by turkey meal, providing a concentrated source of poultry protein. Deboned cod adds a fourth animal protein source, contributing to the recipe’s impressive 80% animal protein content.
Like many grain-free kibbles, this recipe includes whole peas and lentils. These ingredients likely serve to provide structure to the kibble and contribute to the overall protein content, though they are plant-based sources. Chicken fat acts as the primary source of fatty acids, while pea fiber and ground flaxseed provide fiber. Dried chicory root serves as a prebiotic fiber source, supporting gut health. The recipe also incorporates small amounts of nutrient-rich ingredients like dried kelp, sweet potato, and cranberries. “Natural flavor,” a common additive in pet food, is included to enhance palatability, typically derived from hydrolyzed animal tissue to provide a meaty taste appealing to cats. Finally, this formula is supplemented with probiotics to further support digestive health.
Overall, Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe is a meat-centric dry food characterized by high protein, moderate fat, and moderate carbohydrate content. It contains 486 calories per cup.
Ingredients:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Deboned Cod, Whole Peas, Lentils, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid), Natural Flavor, Pea Fiber, Ground Flaxseed, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Kelp, Dried Sweet Potato, Dried Cranberries, Calcium Carbonate, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Iron Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Proteinate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin Supplement, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Fat
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Whole Peas, Lentils, Pea Fiber
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein: 40%
Crude Fat: 20%
Crude Fiber: 4%
Moisture: 10%
Dry Matter Basis:
Protein: 44.44%
Fat: 22.22%
Fiber: 4.44%
Carbs: 28.89%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Protein: 34.91%
Fat: 42.39%
Carbs: 22.69%
Pros:
- Primarily animal protein-based
- Made with clearly named meat sources, not by-products
- Relatively low in carbohydrates for a dry food
- Probiotic supplementation
Cons:
- Contains more plant-based ingredients than strictly necessary for cats
#2 Nulo Freestyle Duck & Lentils Grain-Free Indoor Dry Cat Food
View on Chewy – $12.99 At Chewy
View on Amazon – $12.99 At Amazon
The Nulo Freestyle Duck & Lentils Grain-Free Indoor Dry Cat Food recipe features duck and chicken meal as its primary protein sources. The top four ingredients are deboned duck, chicken meal, turkey meal, and deboned cod, resulting in an impressive 82% of the kibble’s protein derived from animal sources. Plant-based protein contributors include whole peas and lentils, both listed prominently in the ingredient list. Chicken fat serves as the primary fat source.
Formulated specifically for indoor cats, this recipe incorporates multiple fiber sources, including pea fiber and dried chicory root, to aid in digestion and hairball control. It is supplemented with dried kelp, sweet potato, and cranberries for added nutrients. Like all Nulo Freestyle dry foods, it includes BC30 Probiotic for digestive support. “Natural flavor” is also present to enhance palatability.
Overall, Nulo Freestyle Duck & Lentils is a meat-based dry food with moderate protein and fat, but a higher carbohydrate content compared to the Chicken & Cod recipe. It contains 468 calories per cup.
Ingredients:
Deboned Duck, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Deboned Cod, Whole Peas, Lentils, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid), Pea Fiber, Natural Flavor, Ground Flaxseed, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Kelp, Dried Sweet Potato, Dried Cranberries, Calcium Carbonate, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Iron Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Proteinate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin Supplement, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Deboned Duck, Chicken Fat
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Whole Peas, Lentils, Pea Fiber, Dried Sweet Potato
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein: 40%
Crude Fat: 17%
Crude Fiber: 5%
Moisture: 10%
Dry Matter Basis:
Protein: 44.44%
Fat: 18.89%
Fiber: 5.56%
Carbs: 31.11%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Protein: 36.6%
Fat: 37.78%
Carbs: 25.62%
Pros:
- Primarily meat protein sources
- Uses named meats, not vague by-products
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Probiotic supplementation
Cons:
- Higher carbohydrate content compared to other Nulo dry recipes
#3 Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat & Kitten Food
View on Chewy – $54.96 At Chewy
View on Amazon – $44.28 At Amazon
Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat & Kitten Food wet food emphasizes animal protein sources, with turkey as the primary ingredient. The recipe features turkey, chicken, turkey liver, and tuna as prominent animal protein sources. “Natural flavor” is included to enhance palatability, contributing a concentrated meaty taste cats find appealing.
To achieve a pate texture, the recipe uses guar gum and agar-agar, both plant-derived gums that act as thickeners and stabilizers. Small amounts of pumpkin, cranberries, and dried kelp are included, which Nulo markets as “superfoods.” Menhaden fish oil provides a species-appropriate source of omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial for skin and coat health.
Overall, Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Canned Food is a meat-based wet food with high protein, high fat, and low carbohydrate content, making it an excellent choice for feline nutrition. It has 193 calories per 5.5-ounce can, or roughly 35 calories per ounce.
Ingredients:
Turkey, Chicken, Turkey Liver, Turkey Broth, Tuna, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Agar Agar, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Tomato, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Salt, Iron Proteinate, Sodium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Magnesium Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Chicken, Turkey Liver, Menhaden Fish Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Cranberries, Pumpkin
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein: 11%
Crude Fat: 6.5%
Crude Fiber: 0.75%
Moisture: 78%
Dry Matter Basis:
Protein: 50%
Fat: 29.55%
Fiber: 3.41%
Carbs: 17.05%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Protein: 36.02%
Fat: 51.7%
Carbs: 12.28%
Pros:
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Meat-based formulation
- Low in carbohydrates
- Primarily animal protein
Cons:
- Some reviewers find the pate texture slightly dry
Customer Perspectives on Nulo Cat Food: Real-World Reviews
Customer reviews for Nulo cat food are generally positive. On platforms like Chewy, top Nulo recipes frequently receive 4 and 5-star ratings. Satisfied customers often praise the food’s high-quality ingredients and palatability, noting improvements in their cats’ coat health and overall vitality. The most common negative feedback centers around palatability, with some cats reportedly refusing to eat certain recipes.
Let’s examine a selection of real customer reviews to provide a balanced perspective:
Positive Feedback Highlights
“I like the ingredient list, the price point is decent and most off all, my cats love it. My old man has some skin sensitivities and I’ve noticed marked improvement with his coat.” – Amanda, reviewing Nulo Freestyle Duck & Lentils Grain-Free Indoor Dry Cat Food on November 21, 2024. This review emphasizes the positive impact of Nulo on a cat with skin sensitivities, highlighting the potential benefits for cats with allergies or dietary needs.
“This was one of two brands that was suggested by a friend to try in migrating my kitties over to a better quality kibble and they love it! What I especially love is that the kibble size is small which makes it an easy one for my kitten to enjoy along with my older cat. I realize this is the Cat & Kitten formula; however, all of this brand’s kibble is the same size!” – Chelby, reviewing Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food on October 19, 2024. This review points out the kibble size being suitable for both kittens and adult cats, a practical advantage for multi-cat households.
These positive reviews underscore the nutritional quality and species-appropriateness of both Nulo dry and wet food, along with high palatability for many cats. The improvement in coat health is a recurring positive observation.
Negative Feedback Concerns
“My kitten was eating Nulo wet and dry food at the breeder so that’s what I got him. It seems like pretty good quality cat kibble but my kitten won’t eat it now that I’ve got him home. I’ll be transitioning him to a freeze dried raw diet and feed him the wet Nulo meanwhile.” – Kerstin, reviewing Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food, on November 27, 2024. This review highlights that even high-quality foods aren’t universally palatable, and individual cat preferences vary.
“I spent a lot of time researching high quality dry cat food and this product tops a few lists. Unfortunately, my cats won’t touch it. I even put some outside for the strays in my neighborhood and they aren’t eating it. My cats aren’t particularly picky (one is named Pig for a reason) so this really surprised me.” – James, reviewing Nulo Freestyle Duck and Lentils Grain-Free Indoor Dry Cat Food on November 17, 2024. This review reinforces the point about palatability, even for cats not typically considered picky eaters.
The primary negative feedback revolves around cats refusing to eat Nulo dry food, despite its high quality. Some reviewers also mentioned the small kibble size as a potential issue for adult cats, although others found it beneficial. Palatability is subjective, and what one cat enjoys, another may reject.
Nulo Cat Food Pricing: A Premium Brand
Nulo cat food is positioned as a premium brand and its pricing reflects this. The cost of a 14-pound bag of dry food can vary depending on the retailer, ranging from around $45 to $55. Nulo wet cat food is sold in cases. 2.8-ounce cans are typically priced around $24 per case of 12, while 12.5-ounce cans cost approximately $44 per case of 12.
Breaking down the cost per serving, Nulo wet food averages around $0.30 per ounce, while dry kibble works out to approximately $0.90 per cup. Based on Nulo’s feeding guidelines for an average 10-lb cat, daily feeding costs range from $2.98 to $5.97 for wet food and around $0.68 for dry food. Compared to budget brands, Nulo is significantly more expensive, but it aligns with other premium, high-meat cat food brands.
Final Verdict: Is Nulo Cat Food a Good Choice for Your Cat?
Nulo cat food is undeniably a high-quality brand that prioritizes meat-based, species-appropriate nutrition. Their recipes are rich in animal protein, relatively low in carbohydrates, and free from artificial additives. The inclusion of probiotics in most dry food formulas is a beneficial addition for digestive health. Nulo’s extensive product variety caters to different needs and preferences, from kittens to seniors and cats with sensitivities.
While Nulo dry food is a solid option, their wet food varieties stand out as particularly excellent, offering higher meat content and crucial hydration. The primary drawbacks of Nulo are its premium price point and the potential palatability issues reported by some cat owners. Introducing new foods gradually and trying different recipes within the Nulo range can help address palatability concerns.
Ultimately, if your budget allows and you prioritize high-quality, meat-based nutrition for your cat, Nulo cat food is a very good choice, particularly their wet food options. As with any cat food, individual preferences vary, so a gradual transition and observation of your cat’s acceptance and well-being are always recommended.
Purchasing Nulo Cat Food: Where to Buy
Nulo cat food is readily available through various retail channels. You can find it at independent pet supply stores and major retailers like PetSmart. Online, popular options include Chewy, Amazon, and PetSmart.com. To locate a physical store near you, Nulo provides a convenient store locator tool on their official website. This wide availability makes Nulo cat food accessible to most pet owners seeking premium nutrition for their feline companions.
