Nulo Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons
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We give Nulo dog food a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Nulo dog food is an all-natural formula that comes in many varieties ranging from recipes, diets, life stages, and flavors. This is a healthy meal that will provide your pet with vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that will promote their overall health and well-being. Nulo is available through different sites such as Chewy.com and Amazon.com, in addition to pet stores and other major retail chains.
There are many different aspects of this brand most of which are positive benefits: though there are a few drawbacks you should be aware of. This article will give you all the needed information on these benefits and drawbacks so you can make a good decision for the health of your dog. We will go over the food’s nutritional value, ingredients, owners and manufacturers, and even their recall history.
If you would like to provide your pet with the best food on the market, keep on reading to see whether the new formula is right for you.
At a Glance: The Best Nulo Dog Food Recipes:
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Our Favorite
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Nulo Adult Grain Free |
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Nulo Puppy & Adult Small Breed Freestyle Limited Plus |
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Nulo Grain Free Healthy Weight |
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Nulo Freeze Dried Raw for All Ages & Breeds |
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Nulo Freestyle |
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Nulo Dog Food Reviewed
Nulo dog food is a high-protein formula that has an impressive number of recipes and formulas. The ingredients are selected to promote your dog’s overall health, and it is less about the actual ingredients, but rather their nutritional benefit.
This brand comes in several different options depending on your pet’s dietary needs and life stages. Not only that, but it is also available in several different forms that we will look closer at shortly. Besides that, though, Nulo’s dog food contains its patented BC30 probiotics, and it is made with low carbs and low glycemic ingredients. What’s more, it is made within USDA, AAFCO, and FDA-approved facilities without any corn, wheat, soy, or artificial ingredients.
This dog food also comes under three different headings. The first is the Freestyle line, which is made without any chicken or egg ingredients. The Metal Series, on the other hand, is chicken-based. These two formulas are grain-free. The third option is the FrontRunner line, which is grain-inclusive dog food. Let’s take a closer look at the different recipes and formulas that are available.
Recipes and Formulas
Nulo dog food offers more than just wet and dry meals. You can also find freeze-dried raw food, meal toppers, bone broth, and a variety of treats. Beyond that, they also offer three different life stage options including puppy, adult, and senior stages.
To provide an even more inclusive product, you can also pick up different formulas based on your pet’s dietary needs like the ones below:
- Small breed
- Healthy weight
- Limited ingredient
- Large breed
- High meat
- Grain-free
Though there are many flavors you can choose from, these are the most popular wet and dry recipes:
- Salmon and peas
- Turkey
- Alaskan pollock
- Lamb and chickpea
- Salmon and red lentils
- Turkey and sweet potato
- Beef
- Chicken
With the freeze-dried raw food, you can choose from the following recipes, as well.
- Beef with apples
- Duck with pears
- Lamb with raspberries
- Salmon and turkey with strawberries
- Turkey with cranberries
With all of these available options, it is easy to find a recipe that will benefit your dog regardless of its dietary needs or stage of life. That being said, there are a few exceptions to every rule.
Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better with a Different Brand?
A higher protein diet can be harder to digest than others. That being said, if your pup already has existing digestive issues, you may want to look for a formula that does not have as high a protein content.
Although this brand provides its patented probiotics to aid in digestion, it has been noted that some dogs still have an issue. If you were looking for an easy-to-digest dog food, we recommend you try Hills Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Chicken Adult Dry Formula.
Another point of contention with this brand is the grain and gluten-free meals that make up the majority of their formulas. Although this has been a popular formula in recent years, experts have begun to be more vocal on the idea that healthy grains such as wheat and brown rice provide a lot of nutritional benefits for your pet.
Not only that, but your dog is an omnivore by nature meaning that grains are part of their natural diet. If your pet does not suffer from any gluten allergies or grain sensitivities, there are some healthy grain-based formulas available. For example, try out the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food.
Who Makes Nulo and Where Is It Produced?
In late 2009 and early 2010, Michael Landa and Brett Montana founded the Nulo Pet brand. They had previously been partners in a pet sitting and dog walking company where they found many of their employees were tasked with giving diabetic injections to dogs.
Horrified by the reality of subpar dog food, the two set out to create a natural dog food company that provided dogs with the nutrients they needed to be healthy and strong. Instead of finding ingredients that “looked” nutritious for a human diet, they concentrated on the actual vitamins, minerals, and nutrients a dog actually needed.
Along with the creation of Nulo, they also patented a probiotic formula called Ganeden BC30 that provides their food with natural bacteria-eating enzymes that are protected. Nulo is based out of Texas and is both manufactured and sourced in the USA. Their facilities are approved not only by the AAFCO but also by the FDA and USDA, as well.
This brand of healthy dog food can now be found in major pet retail stores plus many online chains. What’s more, this is a reasonably priced pet food.
Nutritional Content
When contemplating new dog food, the overall nutritional content is an important aspect that you should consider. Not only that, but you want to take into account the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that the meal will provide your pet. Below, we have broken down the nutritional value of each type of food along with the primary benefits for the brand as a whole.
First, however, the AAFCO provides nutritional content guidelines for dog food. In general, it is recommended that your pet receives a minimum of 18% to 26% protein, 10% to 20% fat, and 1% to 5% fiber within each meal. Your pet should also be consuming 30 calories per pound of body weight per day.
Primary Benefits
Depending on the formula and recipe, Nulo offers a lot of nutritional benefits that support your dog’s overall health. Below, we will look at the different features of this pet food, so you’ll have a well-rounded understanding of the benefits available to your pet.
- Grain-Free Formulas: Those meals that are grain-free are made without any corn, white potatoes, or tapioca. They also do not have any wheat that may cause digestive distress in your pet.
- Chicken and Egg-Free Formulas: Some dogs have a hard time processing chicken and chicken products. To accommodate those animals, Nulo has provided you with several poultry-free options.
- Low-Carb Formulas: All of this brand’s recipes are made with lower carbohydrates as they do not provide a lot of nutritional value except quick energy bursts. Instead, Nulo provides lean and healthy protein to maintain longer energy levels.
- Immune Health: Many of the formulas in this brand are made with vegetables, fruit, and vitamins C and E to support your dog’s immune system which will help them fight off infections and illnesses.
- Probiotics: Again, all of the recipes within this brand contain Nulo’s patented probiotic formula. Called BC30, this is a protected strand of bacteria that promotes a healthy gut and overall well-being.
- Omega 3 and 6: Many of the formulas contain omega-3 which is derived from salmon. Both 3 and 6 work to create healthy skin and a shiny coat.
- Muscle and Heart Health: Lean protein and amino acids are two key features of food that will support your pad’s muscles and cardiovascular house.
- Grains: When it comes to the formulas that contain grain, the brand uses low glycemic ingredients such as quinoa, felt, brown rice, barley, and oats
A Quick Look at Nulo Dog Food
- All-natural
- Various varieties of formulas and recipes
- No artificial ingredients
- Made in AAFCO, USDA, and FDA-approved facilities
- Packed with vitamins, minerals, and protein
- Manufactured in sourced in the USA
- Can be hard to digest
Ingredients Analysis
At this point, we have yet to come across a dog food formula that is perfect without any questionable ingredients. Although this brand has many benefits, there are still a few ingredients that we want to mention to give you the best overall description of this product.
We have chosen these items regardless of their formula or recipe; however, we will let you know which product they come from. Nevertheless, please note that we are listing these ingredients as we find them, however, it does not mean that they are not present in other formulas within this brand.
- Brewers Dried Yeast (FrontRunner dry): This ingredient is added to many dry dog food formulas as it does contain nutritional benefits that being said, there is some debate over how nutritious the ingredient is. Also, there have been reports of yeast causing the bloating anomaly in dogs that can cause their stomach to turn which is more often than not a fatal condition though this is rare.
- Salt (dry and wet): Salt is a very common ingredient in dog foods. The higher the salt is on the ingredients list, the more concentrated it is in the formula, the more concerned you should be as high levels of salt are not good for your dog.
- Pea Fiber (Freestyle dry): Pea fiber is often used in grain-free formulas as a filler to replace wheat. P fibers or powders do not have much nutritional value for your pet, however.
- Ground Flaxseed (Freestyle wet): This is another common ingredient in formulas. Flaxseed has many benefits for your dog, but it can also be used to boost the protein level of the meat in dog foods.
Based on all of the formulas and recipes available through this brand, the low amount of questionable ingredients is a benefit unto itself. It is not to say that there may be other items that could potentially be wrong for your pet, however, your dog may require different dietary needs based on their health.
Recall History
At the time this article was written, Nulo has not had any recalls on their products. That being said, the company has been in existence for approximately a decade, so recalls should be far and few between at this point in their history.
Reviews of the 3 Best Nulo Dog Food Recipes
1. Nulo Front Runner Dry Ancient Grains Beef, Barley, and Lamb
This all-natural Nulo formula is part of the front-runner online which means it is a grain-inclusive that contains a healthy amount of barley and oats to provide nutritional benefits for your pet. Not only that, but this dry food contains no artificial ingredients, corn, or soy. What it does have is great levels of protein, vitamins, and nutrients, plus Nulo’s patented probiotics.
Keep in mind, however, that the front-runner dry food it’s not appropriate for dogs with sensitive stomachs or grain sensitivities. Also, it can be a little bit hard to digest. Other than that, this is a USA-manufactured and sourced brand that is made in a USDA, AAFCO, and FDA-approved facility.
- All-natural
- No artificial ingredients
- Healthy grains
- Made and sourced in the USA
- Added vitamins and nutrients
- Made in a USDA, AAFCO, FDA-approved facility
- Hard to digest
- Not recommended for dogs with grain sensitivities
2. Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw All Life Stages and Breeds Grain-Free Salmon and Turkey
Many pet parents have found that feeding their dogs raw meals is very beneficial to their pet’s overall health. The freeze-dried raw meals are made with no artificial ingredients, it is grain-free, and the salmon and turkey recipe is a great favorite of the canine community.
Formulated with new lows patented probiotics, this meal will support your dog’s digestive and immune system, plus the added vitamins and minerals will keep their heart, muscles, bones, and skin in great shape. Keep in mind, however, that raw diets can take some getting used to, so a slow transition is advised. What’s more, be aware that not every dog will enjoy this type of meal.
This is a great option for your pup to provide them with protein, fiber, and healthy fats. This product is made in the USA, and its ingredients are domestically sourced. Overall, this is a great option if you do not want to prepare your raw dog food.
- All-natural
- No artificial ingredients
- Protein, probiotics, and other nutrients
- Made and sourced in the USA
- Alternative raw diet
- Can be more difficult to transition
- Some dogs do not like freeze-dried food
3. Nulo Adult and Puppy Grain-Free Canned Wet Dog Food
If you have a dog that is somewhere in between the puppy and adult stages, this canned wet food is a good option for you. This is part of Nulo’s Freestyle line so it contains no poultry products, plus it is grain-free. This brand is formulated with all-natural ingredients, and it contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It is made and sourced in the USA as well.
Beyond that, this food has many vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that will support their overall health. Like all of Nulo’s products, it also contains its patented probiotics to keep your pet’s gut healthy. You should also note that this wet formula is somewhat higher in salt. Overall, this is a great low-carb, high-protein Nulo dog food.
- All-natural
- No artificial ingredients
- Low-carb and high in protein
- Contains vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
- Manufactured and sourced in the USA
- Can be initially hard on the digestive system
- High in salt content
What Other Users Are Saying
A great barometer for whether or not a pet food is popular with other canines is to check out the reviews the pet parents have left on various websites. Take a look at these comments left by enthusiastic Nulo patrons.
Chewy.com
“Our border collie gets a little overweight in the winter months due to shortened activity. We use the Nulo adult trim to help her keep her weight down. Our girl loves the taste and we love that she doesn’t put on the extra weight.”
PetSmart.com
“My dachshund loves them. Good, smaller, chewy treats that are perfect for training. She also loves the duck flavor!”
PetSmart.com
“My older Fox Hound had become a picky old dog when eating and I was looking for a new food. I tried this brand and she is back to eating again. She is 9 years old. I feed a healthy diet of quality food so ingredients are important. I read the ingredients on the product with grain-free being very important to me. I purchased this brand and she loves it! She eats a full can with some Nulo dry every night. Her energy is back and she is acting like her old self. Excellent dog food and I highly recommend this product.”
If you want to check out the creme-de-la-creme of Nulo reviews, it’s important to go to amazon.com. This is one of the most well-known retailers on the planet, and they have many beneficial opinions you can find here.
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed our review of Nulo dog food. Overall, this is a healthy, nutritious, and beneficial formula to give your pet. You can find this product at pet stores, online retailers, and other brick-and-mortar locations. It is priced well for a natural formula with so many benefits.
