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As a veterinarian and cat owner, I am well aware that there are few best dry cat food options available for kitty. That being said, Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food is also one of the best dry cat food options and it caters to all life stages for cats. This brand uses quality animal protein, low carbs, and probiotics in its recipes. Their diets also have a low glycemic index to maintain a healthy weight.
Let’s explore this Nulo cat food brand and then look at the best dry cat food option offered by this brand.
dry and wet food for all life stages for dogs and cats. This brand uses quality animal protein, low carbs, and probiotics in its recipes. Their diets also have a low glycemic index to maintain a healthy weight.
What is Nulo Cat Food?
Nulo cat food is a diet for cats from the Nulo pet food brand. They make dry and wet diets for adult dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens. They have a variety of 100% natural, complete, and balanced diets for all pets.
Nulo Pet Food Brand History, Sourcing, and Manufacturing
The founder, Michael, established the largest pet-care company in California because he could not find anyone to take care of his black Labrador, Max, when he had to go on a trip, taking it with him. He later began to care about what Max ate, creating the Nulo brand in Austin, Texas, in 2010. Michael met with veterinarians, nutritionists, and pet food formulators to create the most complete and balanced diets for dogs and cats.
The Nulo brand was born out of love for Max, his black lab, and the desire to be able to provide pets all around the globe with the best diets possible.
This brand was bought by Apax Partners in May 2021.
Because Nulo is all about nutrition and love, the name of the brand comes from the combination of the first two letters of the words “nutrition” and “love”. Their recipes are rich in protein and probiotics, making any pet a perfect athlete.
Nulo pet food brand makes its diets in the USA and the ingredients are sourced from North America (meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals), France (duck), Australia and New Zealand (lamb), and other regions for wild-caught fish.
Only some selected vitamin supplements come from China because they can only be sourced from there.
Nulo Cat Food Recalls
At the time of this article, there were no products withdrawn from the market, so Nulo can be called a recall-free pet food brand.
Nutrients & Ingredients
The Nulo pet food brand contains 100% natural diets for cats and dogs made with real and high-quality ingredients, such as:
- High-quality meat: chicken, chicken meal, turkey, turkey meal, lamb, duck, etc.
- Vegetables: sweet potato, peas, etc.
- Plants: dried chicory root, dried kelp, etc.
- Probiotics
- No gums, tapioca or potato starch, grains, or other additives
Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food
One of the best dry cat foods for cats and kittens the Nulo pet food brand has to offer is Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food. This product is high in protein and probiotics to sustain the muscle mass and digestive system of kittens and adult cats. This is one of the best dry cat food in market.
Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food is also ideal for overweight cats that need low carbs and a low glycemic index.
How It Is Prepared
It contains deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, and deboned cod as its first ingredients. These proteins will help your kitten develop harmoniously and build muscle mass.
It is also grain, potatoes, and tapioca free. It has a disk-shaped kibble, making it easier for cats to chew it, and plenty of flavors.
It has added supplements to promote health and nutrition.
Guaranteed Analysis
Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food has a minimum of 40% animal protein, supporting the good functioning of your cat’s body.
It has added minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, probiotics, taurine, and omega 3 and 6. All these supplements promote your cat’s health, including its digestive system, skin, and coat.
The low carbs and low glycemic index in Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food make it suited for cats that are overweight, diabetic, or obese.
Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food Guaranteed Analysis[1]
Crude Protein | 40.0% min |
Crude Fat | 20.0% min |
Crude Fiber | 4.0% max |
Moisture | 10.0% max |
Calcium | 1.10% min |
Phosphorus | 0.9% min |
Vitamin A | 2,250 IU/kg min |
Vitamin E | 300 IU/kg min |
Taurine | 0.2% min |
Ingredient Analysis
Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food is a 100% complete and balanced diet. It is improved with minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, probiotics, and omega-fatty acids making it one of the best cat foods. A few key ingredients are listed below:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- Taurine
Vitamin C
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is needed for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues.[2]
Vitamin C has the following benefits for the body:
- It directly controls the number of adrenal hormones that are released (glucocorticosteroids),
- It has an impact on collagen metabolism,
- Influences the chemical structure of folic acid (vitamin B9),
- It controls oxidative cell degradation.
In addition, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant agent, activating the detoxification of enzymes in the liver and helping to regulate phospholipid levels. It neutralizes free radicals and ensures the preservation and potentiation of the antioxidant effect of vitamin E over time. This vitamin also facilitates the absorption of iron in the digestive tract and helps the digestion process.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is soluble in fat, which means it is passively absorbed by the body and stored in the liver and fatty tissue for a short time.
This vitamin is a nutrient that supports vision, the reproductive system, and the health of the brain and skin.[3]
In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the actions of free radicals. In short, vitamin E slows down the aging process of cells.
Vitamin E also has the following benefits:
- It supports the immune system so it can fight viruses and bacteria.
- It contributes to maintaining the health of blood vessels.
- Cells need vitamin E to interact with each other and perform important functions in the body.
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that the body cannot produce. They are also called essential fats, which means they must be obtained through the diet.
The benefits of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are:[4]
- Improve heart health
- Support mental health
- Contribute to the development of the kitten’s brain
- Fight inflammation
- Prevent dementia in senior cats
- Promote bone health
- Help to lose weight
- Increase immunity
- Increase good cholesterol (HDL)
- Help relieve chronic diseases
- An important source of energy for the body
Taurine
Taurine is an essential amino acid that is normally found in animal tissues. Cats, compared to humans and dogs, cannot synthesize taurine, and it must be taken from food and supplements. For this reason, it is very important what cats eat because their body cannot turn fats and carbohydrates into energy sources.
This amino acid is involved in many physiological processes, such as [5]
- The metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
- The process of detoxification of the body.
- The process of regulating cell volume.
- Other benefits of taurine are:
- Contributes to the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
- Supports cardiac activity.
- Maintains visual acuity.
- Contributes to neuronal development.
- Supports the circulatory system.
- Maintains healthy skin and coat.
Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food Pros
- Easy to serve and store.
- Palatable.
- Improved with vitamin A, E, C, taurine, and omega 3 and 6 for healthy skin.
- High in proteins (min. 40% crude protein).
- Suited for diabetic or overweight cats due to the low carbs and low glycemic index.
Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food Cons
- Kibble size may be too small for some cats.
Feeding Guidelines
Always feed your cat according to its age, weight, and activity level. Pregnant cats may require up to 3 times the amounts shown below.
Adjust the amount of food you serve your cat according to its needs.
Always give your cat fresh water at will.
Feeding guide for adult cats and kittens[1]
Weight | 7 – 13 Weeks Old Daily Feeding (cup) | 4 – 6 Months Old Daily Feeding (cup) | 7 – 12 Months Old Daily Feeding (cup) | Adult Daily Feeding (cup) |
Up to 4 lbs. | 1/2 – 1 | 1/2 – 3/4 | 1/4 – 1/2 | 1/4 – 1/2 |
4 – 6 lbs. | 1 and 1/4 – 1 and 3/4 | 3/4 – 1 | 1/2 – 3/4 | 1/2 |
7 – 9 lbs. | 2 – 2 and 1/4 | 1 and 1/4 – 1 and 1/2 | 3/4 – 1 | NA |
10 – 12 lbs. | 2 and 1/2 – 2 and 3/4 | 1 and 1/2 – 1 and 3/4 | 1 – 1 and 1/4 | 3/4 |
13 – 15 lbs. | NA | 1 and 3/4 – 2 | 1 and 1/4 – 1 and 1/2 | 1 |
For Adults over 15 lbs. | 1 +1/4 for every 4 lbs. |
What do customers say about Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food?
5-star reviews[1]:
Customer 1
“Good quality
I had my cats of this food for a couple of years and it kept their coats so soft, I only switched off it because my cats are getting older and the senior blend doesn’t have a flavor my picky eater will eat.”
Customer 2
“Love Chewy, Love Nulo!
The dry cat food I ordered arrived SO quickly, a couple of days early! My cats love Nulo!”
Customer 3
“No more stinky kitten
We adopted a kitten in June at 10 weeks old. She came from a rescue where she was getting Kitten Chow and canned food. Her belly was bloated and she had terrible gas. The vet gave her another round of dewormer and told us to keep an eye on her. The dewormer didn’t change anything so I decided to change her food. I kept her on the same canned food, but knowing Kitten Chow is pretty low quality, started with the dry food. I went with Nulo because the first 5 ingredients were meat. Within a few days the bloating and gas went down and after about a month she was all cleared up. She’s been on it for a few months now. She seems to like the taste and the bites are small enough for her little mouth.”
Customer 4
“Great Choice
Our kitty loves this dry cat food. It’s healthy and made in the USA.”
1-star review[1]:
Customer 1
“Trying Nulo
I purchased Nulo with great anticipation that my 5 cats including 2 kittens would absolutely love the product. Unfortunately, none of the meow family will eat the food. This was an unexpected response since the reviews were mostly so positive. I had ordered the larger bag since I do have five cats. Now the plan is to give the bag to relatives that feed outside strays.”
Customer 2
“Cat refuses to eat
I did the mixing of old and new food. I tried this for a week and a half. Each time she picked out all the old food and left the Nulo.”
Conclusion
In my opinion, Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food seems promising and makes a great option for your little feline.
This recipe is 100% made with natural and quality ingredients and provides a complete and balanced diet for adult cats, kittens, or pregnant females.
It has added vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, and fatty acids to help your cat build muscle mass, a strong immune system, and a shiny coat.
Always ask your vet about your cat’s diet or any other medical problem or concern.