The Best Nulo Dog Foods: Reviewed

Written by Judie Sigdel
Updated: November 28, 2022
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Nulo has proven itself as a premium dog food brand. This small, independent company creates dog food that, as of November 28, 2022, has never been subject to a recall. Its formulas contain none of the carbohydrates or high-glycemic ingredients that make up the bulk of other dog foods. Instead, the food’s main ingredients are meats and low-glycemic vegetables, including chickpeas, lentils, and sweet potatoes. The company also includes its proprietary Ganedenbck30 probiotics formula in each food.

The typical composition of a Nulo dog food is:

  • 32% crude protein
  • 17% crude fat
  • 5% crude fiber
  • 10% moisture
  • 9% or less ash

The company has two product lines for dogs: the Medal Series and Freestyle. Freestyle foods have no chicken or egg products, which makes them a good choice for breeds that are sensitive to these foods. Both lines are free of all grains, high in protein, and high in nutrition. Nulo is based in Austin, Texas, and manufactures its foods in the United States.

  1. Nulo Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
    • Suitable for dogs with allergies to wheat, soy, eggs or chicken.
    • Includes the GanedenBC30 probiotics.
    • Made with non-GMO canola oil.
    • Nutritious for all life stages.
    • Made with salmon, chickpeas and sweet potatoes.


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  2. Nulo Small Breed Dry Dog Food
    • Small kibble size is ideal for small dogs.
    • Made from 100% natural ingredients.
    • Includes probiotics that regulate metabolism.
    • Meets specific nutrition needs of small breeds.
    • Protein from salmon, turkey, red lentils and chickpeas.


    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  3. Nulo Senior Dry Dog Food
    • Suitable for dogs with food allergies.
    • Includes joint supplements glucosamine and chondroitin.
    • Has blueberries, apples and tomatoes for antioxidant support.
    • Small kibble size.
    • Made from trout, turkey, salmon, yellow peas and sweet potatoes.


    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  4. Nulo FreeStyle Variety Pack Dog Food Topper
    • Contain no gum or fillers.
    • Available in cases of six or 24 pouches.
    • Pouches don’t require refrigeration.
    • Work as toppers or treats.
    • Made from minced beef, shredded chicken, mackerel and other natural ingredients.
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  5. Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
    • Contain no corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, artificial colors or flavors.
    • Available in sets of 12 cans, 13 oz, flavors–chicken/carrots and peas, turkey/sweet potato, beef/peas and carrots, salmon/chickpeas
    • Work as main food source or as toppers.


    Check Chewy Check Amazon

Nulo Dog Food: Top Choices

Nulo makes several dog foods. Which are the best? Here are our top picks.

#1 Best Overall: Nulo Freestyle Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

Our choice for #1 Best Overall Nulo dog food is Nulo Freestyle Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food. This grain-free formula features limited ingredients and Nulo’s proprietary GanedenBC30 probiotic formula. This recipe, which includes salmon, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and non-GMO canola oil, is good for dogs of all sizes and life stages, including those with allergies to wheat, soy, eggs or chicken. It’s complete, simple nutrition.

Reviewers reported overwhelmingly excellent results with this food. Many said their dogs showed improvements in digestion, allergic reactions, and other conditions after just two weeks of feeding this quality dry dog food. The primary customer complaint was that this food is expensive.

Pros and Cons of Nulo Freestyle Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

ProsCons
This limited-ingredient, grain-free dog food is made from salmon, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, non-GMO canola oil, and Nulo’s proprietary GanedenBC30 probiotic formula.Some buyers complained that this food is expensive.
It’s appropriate for dogs of all sizes and ages as well as those with allergies to wheat, soy, eggs or chicken.
Many reviewers reported that their dogs health (digestion, allergic reactions, and other conditions), improved after just two weeks of feeding this recipe.
Best Overall
Nulo Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
  • Suitable for dogs with allergies to wheat, soy, eggs or chicken.
  • Includes the GanedenBC30 probiotics.
  • Made with non-GMO canola oil.
  • Nutritious for all life stages.
  • Made with salmon, chickpeas and sweet potatoes.


Check Chewy Check Amazon

2. Best for Small Dogs: Nulo Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Nulo Small Breed Dry Dog Food Freestyle series food features a small kibble size that’s easy for little dogs to chew. Reviewers remarked that their dogs seemed to love the taste and texture. They also noticed that their small breed dogs had more energy and better digestion after a week or two of eating this food. This is in keeping with the manufacturer’s claim that it has the right balance of nutrients small dogs need to stay energetic and healthy.

This recipe is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of small breeds, and it features kibble that’s sized to be “just right,” too. It’s made from 100% natural ingredients, including protein from salmon, turkey, red lentils and chickpeas and probiotics to regulate healthy digestion.

The primary customer complaints were that it’s too expensive and that it has an unpleasant “fishy” odor.

Pros and Cons of Nulo Small Breed Dry Dog Food

ProsCons
This recipe is specially formulated to keep small dogs energetic and healthy.It’s too expensive.
It features small kibble designed to be easy for small dogs to eat.It has a “fishy” odor that some buyers find to be unpleasant.
It’s formulated from 100% natural ingredients, including protein from salmon, turkey, red lentils and chickpeas and probiotics to regulate healthy digestion..
Some verified buyers reported that their small dogs’ energy and digestion improved after just two weeks of eating this food.
Best for Small Dogs
Nulo Small Breed Dry Dog Food
  • Small kibble size is ideal for small dogs.
  • Made from 100% natural ingredients.
  • Includes probiotics that regulate metabolism.
  • Meets specific nutrition needs of small breeds.
  • Protein from salmon, turkey, red lentils and chickpeas.


Check Chewy Check Amazon

3. Best for Seniors: Nulo Senior Dry Dog Food

Nulo Senior Dry Dog Food provides outstanding nutrition specifically designed for seniors, and it’s suitable for dogs with food allergies. The formula, which is made from trout, turkey, salmon, yellow peas and sweet potatoes, includes glucosamine and chondroitin, which are proven to help keep joints supple. It also comes with more fruit and vegetable ingredients, including blueberries, apples, and tomatoes for antioxidant support, than other Nulo foods. These ingredients supply antioxidants that help older dogs fight heart disease.

An overwhelming majority of reviewers had high praise for this food. They noticed improvements in their dogs’ digestion, including smaller stools and fewer gastric problems.

Some buyers reported that their dogs didn’t like this food, a few said that their pups got diarrhea after eating it, and the primary complaint was that it’s too expensive. Also, some expressed concern about the small kibble size, which might lead larger dogs to eat too quickly.

Pros and Cons of Nulo Senior Dry Dog Food

ProsCons
This recipe is formulated specifically for senior canines and it’s also suitable for dogs with food allergies.Some dogs don’t like this food.
The formula includes trout, turkey, salmon, yellow peas and sweet potatoes as well as glucosamine and chondroitin to keep aging joints supple .A few buyers said their canines got diarrhea after eating it.
This food includes more fruits and veggies than other Nulo foods to supply the antioxidants older dogs need to fight heart disease.It’s too expensive.
Reviewers reported improvements in their dogs’ digestion.The small kibble size could cause larger dogs to gobble their food.
Best for Seniors
Nulo Senior Dry Dog Food
  • Suitable for dogs with food allergies.
  • Includes joint supplements glucosamine and chondroitin.
  • Has blueberries, apples and tomatoes for antioxidant support.
  • Small kibble size.
  • Made from trout, turkey, salmon, yellow peas and sweet potatoes.


Check Chewy Check Amazon

4. Best Treat: Nulo Freestyle Natural Dog Food Topper

Nulo Freestyle Natural Dog Food Toppers are wet dog treats that come in small, easy-to-use pouches. You can use them as dog food toppers or as healthy treats. These high-protein snacks are made from minced beef, shredded chicken, mackerel and other natural ingredients, are extra flavorful, and come in six varieties.

Dogs love the taste of these dog food toppers, and they are easy to use. They’re available in cases of six or 24 pouches that don’t require refrigeration. Plus, they contain no gum or fillers.

Some reviewers said the pouches contained very few treats, and others said their dogs had bad gas after eating them. Despite these drawbacks, the reviews were mostly positive for these wet treats.

Pros and Cons of Nulo Freestyle Natural Dog Food Topper

ProsCons
You can serve this wet food as a dog food topper or as a healthy, high-protein treat.Some buyers said that the pouches didn’t contain many treats.
They are available in six varieties, are made from minced beef, shredded chicken, mackerel and other natural ingredients, and do not contain gum or fillers.Other reviewers indicated that their dogs had bad gas after consuming these toppers.
You can purchase these flavorful toppers in cases of six or 24 pouches that don’t require refrigeration
Best Treat
Nulo FreeStyle Variety Pack Dog Food Topper
  • Contain no gum or fillers.
  • Available in cases of six or 24 pouches.
  • Pouches don’t require refrigeration.
  • Work as toppers or treats.
  • Made from minced beef, shredded chicken, mackerel and other natural ingredients.
Check Chewy Check Amazon

5. Canned Food: Nulo Free Style Grain-Free Canned Dog Food Mixed

Nulo Free Style Grain-Free canned dog foods are a great choice for dogs that are picky eaters. These canned options can be used as the primary food source or as dog food toppers. There are too many flavors to list, but some include chicken with carrots and peas; turkey with sweet potato; beef with peas and carrots; and salmon with chickpeas. They are formulated to work equally well as your dog’s main food or as toppers.

These recipes are free from corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, artificial color, and artificial flavors. They’re sold in cases of a dozen 13 ounce cans. Owners found that their dogs enjoyed the variety of flavors. However, the variety pack, as opposed to buying many of one flavor, was more expensive, which earned some reviewer complaints.

A few buyers reported that their dogs had diarrhea after eating this food.

Pros and Cons of Nulo Free Style Grain-Free Canned Dog Food Mixed

ProsCons
This canned recipe is available in a wide variety of flavors, including chicken with carrots and peas; turkey with sweet potato; beef with peas and carrots; and salmon with chickpeas.Variety packs are more expensive than cases of individual flavors.
They’re free from corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, artificial color, and artificial flavors.Some dogs had diarrhea after eating this food.
You can feed them to your dog as their main food source or use them to top dry food.
They’re available in cases of a dozen 13 ounce cans.
Best Canned Food
Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
  • Contain no corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, artificial colors or flavors.
  • Available in sets of 12 cans, 13 oz, flavors–chicken/carrots and peas, turkey/sweet potato, beef/peas and carrots, salmon/chickpeas
  • Work as main food source or as toppers.


Check Chewy Check Amazon

Simple Nutrition for Your Dog

Nulo dog food is a premium product, and it comes at a premium price. For many people, it’s well worth the cost because it’s formulated to help dogs lead long, healthy lives.

At its website, Nulo even provides information to help consumers purchase the highest-quality food for their dogs. For instance, they talk about carbohydrate content in dog foods, and how many food labels don’t give an accurate carb reading because companies aren’t allowed to disclose the carb content. Nulo provides a carb calorie counter for customers, which determines the number (under 30% is desired for dogs/20% for cats) by entering three numbers that should be available on your dog food’s label — crude protein %, crude fat %, and moisture %. They also recommend choosing foods with low glycemic carbs.

Verified Reviews: Customers’ Experience

Our assessments are based on honest reviews by customers who have used the top Nulo foods and a wet treat that’s suitable for dogs of all sizes and ages. We sought information from people who have dogs of all breeds and sizes who had used these products.

Their reviews of Nulo dog food were almost universally excellent. Most of them noticed a rapid improvement in their dog’s digestion, which was seen in smaller stools, fewer incidents of vomiting, and no tummy upsets. Dogs with skin sensitivities and allergies also showed improvement after just a few days.

A handful of reviewers said they couldn’t get their dogs to eat it. One of them resolved the issue by mixing Nulo with the dog’s favorite food. Others reported having to soften the hard kibbles in warm water for their senior dogs.

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About the Author

My passion is writing about animals. I’ve published articles on pet parrots, birds, and small animal care and reviews about pet food and products. I have an ever-evolving aviary and menagerie that has included cockatiels, parakeets, conures, European starlings, a chukar partridge, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. I’m also the author of Faith without Labels: a Guide to Eclectic Spirituality.

The Best Nulo Dog Foods: Reviewed FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Is Nulo good for my dog?

Nulo is an excellent choice for most dogs. Many dog health experts recommend foods with limited ingredients. If your dog is overweight or has digestive problems, low-glycemic food is an excellent idea. Dogs who have food sensitivities or skin allergies will also respond well to the simple Nulo recipes. As of November 28, 2022, there has never been a recall of any Nulo dog food.

Who makes Nulo dog food?

Nulo is an independently owned company. It is based in Austin, Texas, and its products are manufactured in Kansas and Nebraska. The founders were dog walkers who became concerned when many of their clients had dogs with diabetes. They realized a bad diet was the culprit, and they decided to create a simple, nutritious dog food. Nulo products are now available all over. There has never been a recall of any Nulo food.

Where can I buy Nulo dog food?

You can buy Nulo dog food at most pet retailers, including PetSmart, Pet Supplies Plus Petco, and independent retailers. These stores may have limited varieties, however, and they don’t carry the Freestyle line. You can buy the Nulo dog food in these reviews, including the Freestyle foods, directly from Amazon.

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