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Our Verdict
Nulo MedalSeries Ancient Grains product range consists of four recipes, each receiving the Dog Food Advisor’s rating of 5 stars.
This Nulo range offers high-protein, animal-based recipes with ancient grains, providing complex carbs for sustained energy and suitable for adults and puppies.
Pros
- High in protein
- Low-glycemic ingredients
- Contains probiotics
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 MedalSeries Ancient Grains Small Breed Salmon, Oats & Acadian Redfish | 5 | A |
| Nulo MedalSeries Ancient Grains Puppy Turkey, Oats & Guinea Fowl | 5 | A |
| Nulo MedalSeries Ancient Grains Adult Salmon, Oats & Haddock | 5 | M |
| Nulo MedalSeries Ancient Grains Adult Beef, Barley & Lamb | 5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Nulo MedalSeries Ancient Grains Puppy Turkey, Oats & Guinea Fowl was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Nulo MedalSeries Ancient Grains Puppy Turkey, Oats & Guinea Fowl
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Deboned turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal, oats, barley, millet, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols & citric acid), ground flaxseed, guinea fowl, spelt, ground miscanthus grass, natural flavor, dried egg product, dried chicory root, dried cherries, dried blueberries, chia seed, dried pumpkin, dried apples, dried spinach, choline chloride, potassium chloride, salmon oil, taurine, salt, coconut oil, yeast culture, turmeric, calcium carbonate, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, iron proteinate, niacin supplement, ferrous sulfate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, vitamin A supplement, manganese proteinate, thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, manganous oxide, biotin, dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 28% | 16% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 31% | 18% | 43% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 27% | 37% | 37% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is deboned turkey. Turkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”.1
Turkey is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is turkey and chicken meal. Turkey meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh turkey and chicken.
The fourth ingredient is oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The sixth ingredient is millet, a gluten-free grain harvested from certain seed grasses. Millet is hypoallergenic and naturally rich in B-vitamins and fiber as well as other essential minerals.
The seventh ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The eighth ingredient is 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.
The ninth ingredient is guinea fowl. Poultry protein, a product made by separating meat protein from fresh, clean, unadulterated bones by heat processing followed by low-temperature drying to preserve function and nutrition.2.
Any species of poultry can be included in this ingredient, including chicken, turkey, duck, geese, guinea fowl. This is a quality source of protein.
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.
This recipe has six notable exceptions.
First, we find chicory root. Chicory is rich in inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.
Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also a used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
Next, salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
We also find taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
This recipe also contains coconut oil, a natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids.
Medium-chain triglycerides have been shown to improve cognitive function in older dogs.
Because of its proven safety as well as its potential to help in the treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and chronic skin disorders, MCT can be considered a positive addition to this recipe.
We note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
This food also contains chelated 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 MedalSeries Ancient Grains Puppy Turkey, Oats & Guinea Fowl looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 31.5%, a fat level of 18.2% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 37.8%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 31.6% and a mean fat level of 18.2%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 37.1% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 58%.
This means this Nulo product line contains near-average protein, below-average carbohydrate, and above-average fat, when compared to typical dry dog food.
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 MedalSeries Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
This product range definitely deserves the 5 stars it has received in our review. Nulo provides an exceptional amount of high-quality food packed with high-quality protein and nutrients.
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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