Do you know what you're feeding your cat? Heard about Nulo cat food?
Let's be clear: assuming you make the purchasing decisions in the house, then of course you know what kind of cat food you're buying.
But do you actually know what ingredients are in the products you're bringing home?
As a pet owner, it's important to educate yourself about good cat nutrition so that you'll be able to help your cat be healthy and happy. But the overwhelming amount of food choices at the pet store and online can make it hard to know if you're making the right decision.
It can be helpful to talk to your veterinarian for guidance. Reading online cat food reviews can help you become a more informed consumer, too. Additionally, asking fellow cat lovers about the cat food they buy can sometimes offer helpful insights, too.
Read on for our in-depth Nulo Cat Food Reviews, may it guide you in buying the purrfect product for your beloved kitty.
The bottom line is that you want to find a pet food brand that's healthy for your cat, something your cat will enjoy eating, and appropriate for your budget.
Nulo is a relatively new pet food company that has grown in popularity recently. Many pet parents are choosing Nulo for their cats. Keep reading to learn more about the Nulo, tips on how to feed your cat properly, and a helpful Nulo Freestyle cat food review.
Nulo Cat Food Products
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Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free
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Freestyle Salmon and Lentils Recipe Grain-Free
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FreeStyle Hairball Management
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Chicken & Salmon Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw
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Nulo Turkey and Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned
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Nulo Freestyle Shredded Turkey and Halibut in Gravy
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Nulo Freestyle Minced Beef & Mackerel
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Nulo Cat Food Reviews
- Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free
- Nulo Freestyle Salmon and Lentils Recipe Grain-Free
- Nulo FreeStyle Hairball Management
- Nulo Chicken & Salmon Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw
- Nulo Nulo Turkey and Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned
- Nulo Nulo Freestyle Shredded Turkey and Halibut in Gravy
- Nulo Nulo Freestyle Minced Beef & Mackerel
Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe
One of Nulo's most popular cat food brands is its Freestyle Grain-Free kibble, available online and in select stores. This brand comes in 2 flavors: chicken and cod or and turkey and duck. To begin this Nulo Freestyle cat food review, it's helpful to take a quick look at the ingredients.
First, notice what's there: deboned chicken, turkey meal, turkey meal, deboned cod, and peas are the first 5 ingredients listed. Other recognizable and healthy ingredients include pea fiber, ground flaxseed, dried kelp, dried sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, folic acid, and Vitamin E, C, and B12.
Then, notice what's not: grains, animal by-products, and any artificial fillers or preservatives.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Pros
- Contains quality ingredients including animal-based protein
- Contains approximately 70% high water content
- Is low-carb
- Helps maintain lean body mass
- Is safe to eat for kittens and adult cats
- Contains Nulo's patented BC30 Probiotic to improve digestive health
- Contains a good balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which supports a healthy skin and coat
- Offers a complete blend of essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to support bone, muscle, and organ health
Cons
- Expensive
- Some cat owners note that their cats don't like the taste
Freestyle Salmon and Lentils Recipe Adult Trim
This is a special dry food product for weight management that is close to its original recipe. It is noted for its high fiber content with at least 80% animal products, plus it also contains sweet potato.
This grain-free recipe of salmon & lentils provides the protein and amino acids cats need, but includes more fiber and less fat calories than their other recipes.
Also, this product is very low in calories plus it contains L-carnitine, which is a metabolism booster that will help your pet burn more calories in order to maintain their weight and boost their energy as well.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Pros
- Very high in protein
- Low carbohydrate content
- Low calories
- With probiotics
- L-carnitine content
- High fiber
Cons
- Contains pea protein
FreeStyle Hairball Management
Formulated with protein-rich turkey and cod, green lentils and chickpeas, this nutrient-laden formula helps fight against hairballs with the aid of a natural fiber, miscanthus grass. This kibble is fortified with probiotics and antioxidants for good health and vigor.
Lastly, this is a grain-free formula that will keep your furbabies low on hairballs but high on energy!
Guaranteed Analysis:
Pros
- Gently moves hairballs through their system
- 83% of protein from animal sources
- Grain free (made without carb-heavy white potatoes or tapioca)
- With probioticsWith antioxidants including Vit C & E
Cons
- Too dry texture
- Some cats reject the taste
Chicken & Salmon Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw
Generally speaking, Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken & Salmon Recipe is remarkably an above average cat food. This protein-rich recipe is packed with 98% chicken, salmon, organs (chicken liver and heart) and bone in a free-dried raw formulation that preserves all the essential nutrients.
It is a complete and balanced formula, contains fat and protein levels like those found naturally in prey and other necessary ingredients like spinach and berries for added nutrition.
Furthermore, it is note worthy that this product doesn't contain any by-products nor any bulk-adding fillers.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Pros
- Loads of protein and balanced fat
- Supports digestive and immune health
- With special GanedenBC30 probiotic
- Made from 98% animal ingredients
Cons
- Contains salmon and salmon oil which is a no-no for cats who suffer from seafood food allergies
Wet Cat Foods
Nulo Turkey and Chicken Recipe
Nulo's Freestyle Canned cat food line is known for its best meat quality. First ingredients listed are turkey, chicken, turkey liver and tuna, with no meat by-products. Take note that muscle and organ meat have more vitamins and minerals that your beloved felines need.
This is the primary reason why this product is great for both adults and kittens alike. It also contains pumpkin and cranberries, which may be dubbed as superfoods for us, humans, however, there is no evidence that it is also the same for our feline friends.
Unlike humans and dogs, cats are not capable to produce the amino acids needed in order to digest plant-based proteins.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Pros
- High quality protein.
- Quality taste
- Fortified with minerals and vitamins
- Variety of flavors
Cons
- Texture is mushy and not a solid pate
Nulo Freestyle Shredded Turkey and Halibut in Gravy Recipe
This alternative shredded cat food from this company is built on the same principles as the first one but with a bit less meat. Also uses the same high quality meats but has more alternatives included like spinach, ground peas and egg whites.
This recipe gives a different texture, also it makes its carbohydrate content a bit higher. While carbs are not bad for your felines, they don't offer any specific benefit, just empty calories.
This product is very similar on the one mentioned above. It also contains the natural flavor that cats love plus it is fortified with vitamins and minerals and probiotic GanedenBC30.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Pros
- High meat quality
- With stable probiotics
- Range of flavors available
- With vitamins and minerals
- Quality taste
Cons
- Unnecessary carbohydrates
Nulo Freestyle Minced Beef & Mackerel in Gravy
This product is grain free plus contains loads of meat and carbohydrates on the side. It boasts a 5 animal protein source which makes it very ideal for coat and skin health. Perfect for cats who are allergic and hypersensitive to grains. Furthermore, it is packed with minerals, vitamins, Taurine and omegas to keep him at optimum health.
This irresistibly beefy formula also contains a whole lot of other healthy ingredients to promote health in your beloved kitty, including carrots, ground peas, kelp, and pumpkin.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Pros
- Features beef and mackerel as top ingredients
- No grains, carrageenan, meat by-products, artificial flavoring
- Keeps your cat hydrated from its broth-based gravy
- Loaded with omegas, vitamins, minerals and taurine
Cons
- Some cats don't like the taste
Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Multi-Protein Variety Pack
These products can help you in getting fluids inside your kitty's system. Whether you use it as an attachment to dry food or a stand alone staple, your cat will love it.
First, this recipe is grain free, high protein with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives content. This product line will no doubt offer your beloved pet a balanced meal at all stages of their lives. Regardless if you have a kitten who is hypersensitive or allergic to grains, he/she can safely eat it.
Like with the other products, this is also packed with a special probiotic, GanedenBC30 which will ensure healthy tract system and boost their immunity.
Pros
- No corn, wheat or soy content for sensitive cats and kittens
- Made with real poultry or fish and never any meat by-product.
- With real fruits and vegetables
- Comes in 5 whisker-licking flavors
Cons
- Some owners find it too slimy/sticky
More About the Nulo
Nulo is an independently-owned pet food company based in the United States. They have factories located in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Kansas. These factories are annually inspected, plus they have been approved by organizations including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Association Of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Many consumers consider Nulo brand pet foods to be among the highest quality available. Why? Here are a few of the commonly mentioned reasons:
- Nulo pet food contains no preservatives, artificial flavors, chemicals, synthetic ingredients, grains, or by-products.
- Instead, it's full of quality ingredients, like animal-based protein, healthy fats, and low-glycemic index carbohydrates including sweet potatoes and chickpeas. Unlike rice and potatoes, carbohydrates low on the glycemic index scale won't spike your animal's blood sugar as much. This can help prevent your cat from gaining weight.
- They work with farmers who are committed to raising animals and produce in a sustainable way. Their animal products come from free-range cows, turkey, and chickens, as well as wild-caught fish.
- Nulo products also contain patented probiotics. These have been shown to help regulate digestion and strengthen the immunity.
What Proper Nutrition For A Cat Actually Looks Like
As it turns out, the healthiest cat foods aren't always the most commercially popular ones. Many of the big name cat food brands contain artificial fillers, preservatives, animal by-products, and many other unhealthy ingredients known to be unhealthy for cats.
Of course, avoiding unhealthy ingredients isn't the only important thing to consider when selecting your cat's food. Knowing the good ingredients to look for is also necessary.
Here are the 3 key qualities of good cat nutrition:
- High-quality and relatively high-quantity protein.
- High water content.
- Low carbohydrates.
Let's take a moment to explore each key factor.
1. High Quality/Quantity Protein
Both animals and kittens need to eat lots of good animal-based protein. Protein (and the amino acids it contains) is important for proper development of your cat. Things like the muscular system and the immune system require protein to grow properly.
Ideally, dry cat food should contain approximately 25-30% crude protein according to the product's Guaranteed Analysis. Kittens tend to need a bit more protein than adult and senior cats, but this can vary.
To determine if the protein comes from a good source, simply ask yourself if you can recognize the animal it comes from. If you see lamb, chicken, turkey, beef, venison, salmon, or duck, or another recognizable animal, then it's more likely to be high in quality. Organ meat (chicken liver, beef liver) are also good.
2. High Water Content
Moisture-rich cat foods are easier for your animal to digest. This is important, because it helps your cat get more of the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients into its body.
Foods with a high water content also help keep your cat hydrated and can prevent kidney problems and other health issues.
3. Low Carbohydrates
As mentioned, carbohydrates that are low on the glycemic index (GI) scale are generally better for cats (and humans, as it turns out). This is because these types of carbs–like sweet potatoes, chickpeas, apples, zucchini, and marine plants–won't cause drastic spikes in blood sugar. Low-GI carbs are also less likely to promote weight gain.
Additionally, many common sources of cat food carbohydrates–such as corn, rice, soy, and wheat–can promote inflammation in your cat's body, which may lead to health problems like heart disease.
In reality, cats really don't need diets that are high in carbohydrates. In fact, such diets can be detrimental to feline health.
Why Good Cat Nutrition Really Matters
Like humans, cats with healthy nutrition are less likely to become sick or develop chronic health problems. Good nutrition can prevent disease and even help a cat recover more quickly if it sustains an injury or brief illness.
Cats who are provided with high quality nutrition also tend to live longer, have more energy, and maintain a healthy weight.
You can also check out our full list of cat foods providing proper nutrition by clicking here.
How Much Should I Feed My Cat?
In addition to providing quality food, it's important to give your cat the right amount of food, too. This way, you'll help your cat get all the nutrients it needs for energy and growth while also maintaining an ideal body weight.
The amount of cat food your pet needs depends on its age, breed, size, and overall health status. Your vet can give you specific guidelines. In general, most vets suggest that kittens eat a little more than adult cats do. This is because they need a lot of caloric intake to support their rapid growth and development.
Because Nulo pet food products are generally high in quality, they do cost more than other common brands. For instance, a 5 lb bag costs a little over $26. A 12 lb bag costs just under $30.
However, many pet owners find this increase in price to be worth it. Giving your cat good nutrition throughout its life can stave off chronic health issues. This can save you a lot of money in vet bills–not to mention improve the quality of life of your feline family member.
So, if you're a cat owner looking to improve your cat's health, consider giving Nulo Freestyle a try. Your cat may love it for its taste–and you may love it for what it does for your cat.