Cat Food

Is Nulo Cat Food Good?

Our cats simply deserve the best when it comes to food. Is Nulo cat food good? As a responsible cat owner we may take time to research food brands and a complicated list of ingredients to ensure the long-term wellbeing of our fluffy kitty friend. This article will dive deep into the Nulo pet food brand and attempt to answer the question:

There are countless options of cat food items in the stores, or perhaps you can’t always find the right option in your local pet market. It can also be hard to navigate the fine print on the label of your chosen cat food brand. Especially when within the same brand there can still be vast differences between the ingredients and the quality of the product. The devil is in the details! In this article below we will look into some of the Nulo cat food products, to determine whether it is the right option for your cat. 

About Nulo pet food brand

The story of the Nulo brand started with an actual personal journey of its brand owner Michael Landa and his labrador Max. He could not find a pet sitter for Max, so he decided to drive to Colorado so that Max could come with him. While driving across the states with his friend, he had plenty of time to contemplate the current state of the petcare options.

While growing his petcare business he got faced with the many trends in the petcare world. It was a surprising amount of pets with diabetes that needed administration of insulin that got him thinking if perhaps the pet food was the root cause of the problem. This led to the start of the Nulo pet food brand, which has both dog and cat food options.

About the Nulo cat food formula 

The ingredients used in Nulo products are sourced mainly from North America, France and New Zealand. All of their plant-based ingredients and vitamins get tested for quality from their sources. The majority of Nulo’s products are manufactured in the United States except for the wet cat food pouches which are manufactured in Thailand. 

Nulo cat food review – Is it good?

Here is a review of the 2 most popular cat food products on their website. The first product we decided to review is the Medalseries minced turkey & duck recipe in gravy.

Medalseries Turkey and Duck in gravy

This catfood product is a canned gravy that is composed of minced turkey & duck recipe. It does not only ensure that your cats stay hydrated and healthy, but also provides the perfect blend of important proteins to satisfy your cat at every meal.

Nulo states that it is free from grains, carrageenan, meat by-products, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives, colors, or flavorings. It comes in 3 oz or 85-gram cans.

The key ingredients: 

Turkey and Duck broth, Turkey Liver, Duck: High-quality protein sources.

Dried Egg Whites: Additional protein and nutrient content.

Carrots, Dried Ground Peas, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Blueberries: Natural sources of vitamins and antioxidants.

Ground Flaxseed, Flaxseed Oil: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health.

Guar Gum: Acts as a thickening agent.

Taurine: Essential for feline health.

Yucca Schidigera Extract, Inulin: Supports digestive health.

Essential vitamins for overall well-being, such as D-calcium pantothenate, Vitamin D3, B12 Supplements. 

The formula also contains valuable minerals for optimal absorption, such as Iron and Zinc Proteinate. The full list of ingredients can be found here.

The recipe in this product has a strong focus on natural animal proteins and essential nutrients. It is free from grain and has a balanced recipe that promotes hydration and overall feline health. 

What the Customers think – Is Nulo cat food worth it?


Positive Reviews

Yum
All three of my cats love this. They are all typical picky eaters. A food all of them like is rare. I feed both minced and shredded types. Shredded is the favorite. But they snarf up minced to – By Sarah on Feb 3, 2024

They love the Turkey and Duck!
Some of our cats have food sensitivities to chicken and fish, so this is working well for them so far. – By Tara on Jan 2, 2024

One of the only can foods my picky cats will eat
I feel like I’ve tried all the healthier brands for my two kittens and this is the only one they finish every time. They will usually leave food on the plate with other foods but they ate every bite of this and even licked the plate clean (of course I gave them more since they are growing but my point is this has never happened and I’ve tried so many different foods!) – By Elicia on Dec 12, 2023

Good stuff
This was my first order. My cats like it..I mean they are not crazy about it that’s why I gave it 4 stars. I will try another flavor next time. – By iracema on Sep 29, 2023

Negative Reviews

Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No
I am giving 3 stars only because the initial cases I bought were a hit. When I first gave this nulo turkey with duck to my 3 ragdoll kitties they loved it and gobbled it down. The minced bits were mixed with a nice portion of gravy. It smelled like I would even like it. However the item was out of stock for quite some time. I ran out of this food and ordered quickly as soon as it came back into stock.The new order that I received in March 2022 the cans are very dry, little or no gravy, and there are holes of varying size in the middle of the can so the can is not full. My cats will not eat this new order and I have brought in 4 cases. They sniff and walk away. The food does not smell good any longer. I had ordered one case from another supplier since Chewy was out of stock. That case was fine and the cats all ate it. That tells me it is a quality control issue with Nulo, as others have posted. Buying healthy, consistent cat food is so frustrating. I am getting ready to cook my own. – By BeeL on Apr 2, 2022

Not quite the same
My local pet store sells this same food. We were so happy to also find it on Chewy because I have a very picky cat who only likes certain foods. The can is the same, but there is a lot more gravy and it is more chunky than the pet store can. My other cat eats anything so it will get eaten, but I was disappointed that it was not the same consistency. – By PickyKitty on Sep 11, 2022

Freestyle high-protein kibble trim salmon & lentils recipe

Achieving and maintaining a lean physique can pose a greater challenge for certain feline companions. The Nulo FreeStyle™ Adult Trim formula tackles that challenge. 

Their grain-free blend of salmon and lentils not only supplies essential proteins and amino acids but also features increased fiber content and reduced fat calories compared to other recipes. Noteworthy additions include L-Carnitine, promoting efficient fat metabolism.

It’s found to be ideal for all cat breeds and sizes, striving to provide nutrition for a healthy feline body weight.

Key ingredients:

Deboned Salmon: High-quality protein source.

Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal: Additional protein components.

Whole Peas, Lentils: Rich in fiber, contributing to a balanced diet.

Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid): Provides essential fatty acids.

L-Carnitine: Supports efficient fat metabolism.

Taurine: Essential for feline health.

Zinc Proteinate: Chelated minerals for optimal absorption.

Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C): Antioxidants for immune support.

Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product: Probiotic for digestive health.

If you would like to read a more detailed analysis of the ingredients, you can check out Nulo’s list of ingredients for Freestyle high-protein kibble trim salmon & lentils recipe.

This formula is a well-rounded blend, prioritizing lean protein, fiber, and essential nutrients to aid in feline weight management and overall well-being.

Where to buy Nulo cat food from?

If you are curious about where to buy the Nulo cat food from, it would be available in several independent pet retailers as well as PetSmart stores. If you’d like to order it online, you can order the products via Chewy, Amazon and Petsmart.com. As well as directly from the Nulo website. 

Why we recommend it?

Based on our analysis of the ingredients it is good. 

What do others think of Nulo cat food?

Positive Reviews

Yum
All three of my cats love this. They are all typical picky eaters. A food all of them like is rare. I feed both minced and shredded types. Shredded is the favorite. But they snarf up minced to – By Sarah on Feb 3, 2024

They love the Turkey and Duck!
Some of our cats have food sensitivities to chicken and fish, so this is working well for them so far. – By Tara on Jan 2, 2024

One of the only can foods my picky cats will eat
I feel like I’ve tried all the healthier brands for my two kittens and this is the only one they finish every time. They will usually leave food on the plate with other foods but they ate every bite of this and even licked the plate clean (of course I gave them more since they are growing but my point is this has never happened and I’ve tried so many different foods!) – By Elicia on Dec 12, 2023

Good stuff
This was my first order. My cats like it..I mean they are not crazy about it that’s why I gave it 4 stars. I will try another flavor next time. – By iracema on Sep 29, 2023

Negative Reviews

Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No
I am giving 3 stars only because the initial cases I bought were a hit. When I first gave this nulo turkey with duck to my 3 ragdoll kitties they loved it and gobbled it down. The minced bits were mixed with a nice portion of gravy. It smelled like I would even like it. However the item was out of stock for quite some time. I ran out of this food and ordered quickly as soon as it came back into stock.The new order that I received in March 2022 the cans are very dry, little or no gravy, and there are holes of varying size in the middle of the can so the can is not full.
My cats will not eat this new order and I have brought in 4 cases. They sniff and walk away. The food does not smell good any longer. I had ordered one case from another supplier since Chewy was out of stock. That case was fine and the cats all ate it. That tells me it is a quality control issue with Nulo, as others have posted. Buying healthy, consistent cat food is so frustrating. I am getting ready to cook my own. – By BeeL on Apr 2, 2022

Not quite the same
My local pet store sells this same food. We were so happy to also find it on Chewy because I have a very picky cat who only likes certain foods. The can is the same, but there is a lot more gravy and it is more chunky than the pet store can. My other cat eats anything so it will get eaten, but I was disappointed that it was not the same consistency. – By PickyKitty on Sep 11, 2022

The bottom line about the Nulo cat food

Nulo seems like a better brand than what can be found on average in the stores. They openly provide information on their ingredients and make an emphasis on the quality of their cat food nutrition content. The ingredients used in Nulo products appear to be of high quality do not contain grain and unhealthy fillers. Based on the customer reviews, Nulo’s main minus is that there is inconsistency in product quality. It seems to depend on the manufacturer.  Some customers reported some of the batches they bought to have a strange odor, while others from different providers were well-received by the cats.Overall Nulo is a great choice for most cats. Of course it’s important to keep in mind each cat’s individual needs and it would be best to consult a veterinarian in case your fluffy friend has any dietary guidelines. 

Our pick - Medalseries Duck&Turkey in gravy

90%

Value

80%

Content

85%

Nutrients

70%

Price

Positives

  • +Locally sourced
  • +Great value for money
  • +High meat percentage
  • +High quality protein
  • +Packed with essential nutrients

Negatives

  • -Fat percentage on the higher side (45.7%)*
  • -Reported inconsistency with product quality
81%

Where to Buy

Buy on Nulo.com