Our Verdict
Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw cat food range receives the Cat Food Advisor rating: 5 stars.
It is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO cat food nutrient profiles for all adult cats and kittens.
Nulo Freestyle freeze-dried raw contains high animal protein sources with probiotics to help digestive and immune health. It is also grain-free.
Pros
- Contains probiotics
- Grain-free
- Protein-rich
Cons
- Expensive
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
The Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw cat food product line contains just two dry cat foods.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken & Salmon Recipe | 5 | A |
| Freeze-Dried Raw Turkey & Duck Recipe | 5 | A |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken & Salmon Recipe cat food was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken & Salmon Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, salmon, chicken necks, chicken liver, chicken hearts, ground flaxseed, spinach, salmon oil, cranberries, coconut oil, inulin, dried kelp, potassium chloride, salt, dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product, taurine, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin A supplement, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, mixed tocopherols (as preservative), vitamin D3 supplement
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. 1.
Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The second ingredient is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life.
The third ingredient is chicken neck. Raw chicken neck consists of muscle meat and bone and contains optimal levels of both protein and natural calcium.
The fourth ingredient is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fifth ingredient is chicken heart. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, heart tissue is pure muscle — all meat. It’s naturally rich in quality protein, minerals and complex B vitamins, too.
The sixth ingredient is ground flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flaxseeds are also rich in soluble fiber. However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.
The seventh ingredient is spinach. Due to its exceptional vitamin and mineral content, spinach exhibits a remarkably high nutrient Completeness Score 2 of 91.
For cats who are predisposed to oxalate stones, spinach should be avoided, due to its high oxalate content.
The eighth ingredient is salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA types of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high-quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to cats and humans. Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
We note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken & Salmon Recipe looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 48.4%, a fat level of 24.2% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 19.4%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 46.3% and a mean fat level of 31.6%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 14.1% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 69%.
This means the Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw product line contains above-average protein, below-average carbs and above-average fat when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw offers a convenient way to feed your cat a raw diet without the need for refrigeration or freezing. The freeze-dried raw food can be rehydrated with water before feeding, or it can be fed as a dry treat.
It typically contains a high amount of animal-based protein and is free from grains, soy, corn, wheat, and artificial preservatives.
Has Nulo cat food been recalled in the past?
No, there have been no recorded recalls for Nulo.
Nulo was founded in 2009 by Michael Landa and Brett Montana, after they saw high rates of diabetes and other medical issues in dogs and cats while running their pet-sitting business.
The company is still privately owned.
All ingredients are sourced and all recipes are made in the USA.
You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.
To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.
Sources
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Article reviewed by
Veterinarian
Dr Georgia Jeremiah has a first class honors degree in comparative pathology with field experience in anatomic and clinical pathology, studying disease processes in a multitude of species.
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