Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw product range consists of six recipes with ratings varying from 3 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4 stars.
These freeze-dried raw recipes contain meat, organs, and bones, combined with functional ingredients such as fruits and vegetables, plus added probiotics to support digestive and gut health
Pros
- Single animal protein
- Minimally processed
- Made with low-glycemic ingredients
Cons
- Not budget-friendly
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Lamb and Raspberries | 3 | A |
| Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Beef and Apples | 3.5 | A |
| Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Turkey and Cranberries | 4.5 | A |
| Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Duck and Pears | 3.5 | A |
| Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Turkey and Salmon | 5 | A |
| Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken and Blueberries | 4.5 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken and Blueberries was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken and Blueberries
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, chicken necks, chicken heart, chicken liver, dried egg, blueberries, ground chicken bone, apple cider vinegar, sweet potatoes, apples, carrots, broccoli, kale, spinach, parsley, salmon oil, ground flaxseed, inulin, dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product, salt, mixed tocopherols (as preservative), zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, dried kelp, potassium chloride, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, vitamin E supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, calcium iodate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic aid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 40% | 32% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 42% | 34% | 16% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 30% | 58% | 12% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food 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 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The next three ingredients include chicken heart, liver and necks, all quality by-products of chicken slaughter.
Although they may not sound appetizing, organ meats like these are an excellent source of high biological value protein and natural minerals.
The fifth ingredient is whole dried egg, a dehydrated powder made from shell-free eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The sixth ingredient is blueberries. Blueberries are a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The seventh ingredient is ground chicken bone, an excellent source of natural calcium.
The eighth ingredient is apple cider vinegar, it is reported to have benefits to health, from controlling blood sugar, balancing cholesterol and acting as an anti-microbial. Providing enzymes and probiotics is also a reason for inclusion.
It must be noted that there have been no studies so far which have found inclusion of Apple Cider Vinegar in the diets of dogs to provide health benefits.
The ninth ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
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 this Nulo product.
With five notable exceptions…
First, we find flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds 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 dog food.
Next, we note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
In addition, salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Next, we find inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and typically sourced from chicory root.
Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken and Blueberries looks like an above-average raw product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 41.8%, a fat level of 33.6% and estimated carbohydrates of about 15.1%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 42% and a mean fat level of 36.4%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 10% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 88%.
Which means this Nulo product line contains…
Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical raw dog food.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the flaxseed, this still looks like the profile of a raw product containing an abundance of meat.
Nulo Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Nulo through January 2026.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Grain Free Dog Food
Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw is a grain-free raw dog food using a generous amount of named meats and organs as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
Please note certain recipes are sometimes given a higher or lower rating based upon our estimate of their total meat content and (when appropriate) their fat-to-protein ratios.
About
Nulo Pet Food was founded in 2010 by Michael Landa, who was concerned about what he was feeding his black lab, Max. He started what ultimately became the largest pet-care company in California.
The headquarters is located in Austin, Texas, USA. Facilities: Nulo’s manufacturing partners are situated in Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, and Georgia, USA.
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