Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw product range is made up of five recipes with ratings varying from 4.5 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 5 stars.
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.
Recipe and Label Analysis
Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Recipe with Apples was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Recipe with Apples
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Beef, beef heart, beef liver, beef kidneys, ground beef bone, apples, broccoli, sweet potato, carrot, kale, spinach, parsley, blueberries, apple cider vinegar, ground flaxseed, salmon oil, salt, sunflower oil, dried kelp, inulin, dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product, potassium chloride, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, mixed tocopherols (as preservative), vitamin E supplement, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, vitamin D3 supplement
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 6%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 42% | 28% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 44% | 30% | 18% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 33% | 53% | 14% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1
Beef is naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The next three ingredients include beef heart, liver and kidneys, all quality by-products of beef 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 ground beef bone, an excellent source of natural calcium.
The next ingredient is apple, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
The seventh ingredient is broccoli. Broccoli is a healthy green vegetable and a member of the kale family. It’s notably rich in vitamin C and fiber and numerous other nutrients.
Like other cruciferous vegetables, broccoli is believed to provide anti-cancer benefits.
The eighth 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.
The ninth ingredient includes carrots, which are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
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, sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3’s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.
Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.
There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.
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 Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food looks like an above-average raw product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44%, a fat level of 30% and estimated carbohydrates of about 18%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 45% and a mean fat level of 29%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 18% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 65%.
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 November 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Nulo Freestyle 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 5 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.
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A Final Word
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