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Nulo was founded in 2009 by Michael Landa and Brett Montana in Austin, Texas. Existing investors were bought out by private equity firm Apex Partners LLP in 2021.
Nulo is made in US facilities in Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota, which appear to be third party manufacturers. One online interview states the company uses a broad network of domestic and international manufacturing partners with a scope of facilities to produce their various product lines.
Nulo offers dry, wet and freeze-dried raw pet foods, as well as meal toppers, treats and liquid hydration supplements.
Nulo’s dry dog foods are considered moderate to high risk while its three lines of wet foods are considered moderate risk dog food.
Most of the recipes have high levels of carbohydrates. This is confusing since Nulo was founded because of the high levels of carbohydrate fillers found in other major pet foods that contribute to obesity and diabetes in pets. Nulo dry dog foods average 27 to 36% carbohydrate as calculated. The wet foods average 11 to 19% as calculated on a dry matter basis, still considered high for a canned dog food compared to others on the market. In addition, 3 of its dry foods, Freestyle, Frontrunner and Medal Series, have higher average carbs than protein.
The company says it doesn’t use potato, rice or tapioca but brown rice appears in the Frontrunner Dry line. They say they use low-glycemic carbs like oats, barley, sweet potato, chickpeas and lentils but these are still starchy carbohydrates. Large amounts of starch can increase insulin levels, cause obesity and negatively impact gut balance.
Like all kibbles, Nulo’s dry dog foods are ultra processed. Excessive heat during processing can cause significant loss of nutrients. The canned foods are heated before and during canning, leading to nutrient losses. This requires the addition of vitamins and minerals to both dry and canned recipes to balance the foods to AAFCO standards.
All recipes have ingredients known to contain higher pesticide or herbicide residues, many in the top 5 ingredients. However, the company doesn’t appear to use any GMO ingredients, which is good to see.
Many of Nulo’s top ingredients are “meals,” the dehydrated version of meat, poultry and fish with fat and moisture removed. Nulo also states it has industry-leading levels of animal-based proteins, yet there is at least one company reviewed on this website with higher levels.
In its dry foods, Nulo uses a natural probiotic with a protective spore casing, giving it viability all the way to the digestive tract. Nulo guarantees the levels of added probiotics, which is a benefit.
Lastly, the manufacturer doesn’t provide the omega-6:omega-3 ratio. Nulo certainly isn’t the only company to omit this information, but it’s a concern because AAFCO allows a highly inflammatory 30:1 ratio.
Nulo Challenger Dry dog food Is considered a moderate risk dog food. There are 5 recipes that average 34% protein and 27% carbohydrate as calculated. The ingredient quality score is low due to high carbohydrates, excessive added vitamins and minerals and added amino acids. There are ingredient safety concerns because it’s an ultra processed food. It also includes some high pesticide ingredients like spinach, as well as natural flavor.
Nulo Freestyle Dry dog food Is considered a high risk dog food. There are 13 recipes that average 31% protein and 32% carbohydrate as calculated. The food quality score is low due to high carbohydrates, excessive added vitamins and minerals and added amino acids. There are safety concerns because it’s an ultra processed food. It also includes some high pesticide ingredients in the top 5, and contains natural flavor.
Nulo Frontrunner Dry dog food Is considered a high risk dog food. There are 6 recipes that average 27% protein and 36% carbohydrate as calculated. The food quality score is low due to high carbohydrates, excessive added vitamins and minerals and added amino acids. There are safety concerns due to it being an ultra processed food. It also includes some high pesticide ingredients in the top 5, and contains rice and natural flavor.
Nulo Medal Series Dry dog food Is considered a high risk dog food. There are 21 recipes that average 29% protein and 32% carbohydrate. The food quality score is low due to high carbohydrates, excessive added vitamins and minerals. There are safety concerns due to it being an ultra processed food. It also includes some high pesticide ingredients in the top 5 ingredients, and contains natural flavor.
Nulo Challenger Wet dog food Is considered a moderate risk dog food. There are 3 recipes that average 46% protein and 20% carbohydrate as calculated, on a dry matter basis. The food quality score loses points due to high carbohydrates, and excessive added vitamins and minerals, plus sugar in the form of honey in one recipe. There are safety concerns due to it being a highly processed food. It also includes high pesticide ingredients.
Nulo Freestyle Wet dog food Is considered a moderate risk dog food. There are 11 recipes that average 46% protein and 11% carbohydrate. The food quality score loses points due to excessive added vitamins and minerals. On the safety side, the concerns are high processing, high pesticide ingredients and natural flavor.
Nulo Medal Series Wet dog food Is considered a moderate risk dog food. There are 12 recipes that average 45% protein and 12% carbohydrate. The food quality score loses points due to excessive added vitamins and minerals. On the safety side, the concerns are high processing, high pesticide ingredients and natural flavor.
To date, there have been no recalls of Nulo dog foods.
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