What's actually in Nulo?
We analyzed Nulo Freestyle Adult Cat Salmon & Lentils Grain-Free, one of their core feline formulas. The first five ingredients are deboned chicken, chicken meal, peas, sweet potatoes, and salmon oil.
Two animal proteins in the first two positions is a strong start — deboned chicken provides whole-meat protein, and chicken meal is a concentrated source with the water already removed. Peas at #3 and sweet potatoes at #4 are the carbohydrate base for this grain-free formula. Salmon oil at #5 is an early position for an omega-3 source, meaning your cat gets meaningful amounts of EPA and DHA in every serving. Shop on Amazon →
The good stuff
The protein foundation is excellent for a cat food. Cats are obligate carnivores, and having named animal protein in the first two positions ensures the formula is built around what cats actually need. The chicken meal at #2 is particularly important — as a concentrated protein, it contributes more actual protein per pound than the deboned chicken at #1 (which is roughly 70% water before cooking).
Salmon oil at position #5 is a standout. Most cat foods bury their omega-3 source deep in the ingredient list where the amounts are minimal. Having it this high means your cat is getting clinically meaningful levels of EPA and DHA — the marine-sourced omega-3s that support skin, coat, brain, and joint health without the conversion inefficiency of plant-based ALA.
Dried chicory root provides prebiotic inulin that feeds beneficial gut bacteria — a smart inclusion for cats, which are prone to digestive issues. The grain-free formula avoids corn, wheat, and soy — the three ingredients most likely to trigger food sensitivities in cats. Natural preservation with mixed tocopherols rounds out a clean, well-thought-out ingredient list.
The not-so-good stuff
Peas at #3 and sweet potatoes at #4 mean a significant portion of the formula is plant-based carbohydrate. Cats have no biological requirement for carbohydrates, and while peas and sweet potatoes are better choices than corn or wheat, the ideal cat food would minimize all plant content. The FDA's legume-DCM investigation is focused on dogs, but the general principle of minimizing plant content for obligate carnivores applies.
Protein diversity is limited compared to the top scorer. Nulo uses chicken as its primary protein source — one species in two forms (deboned and meal). Orijen (A/91) includes chicken, turkey, and mackerel across multiple fresh and rendered forms. For cats with chicken sensitivities, Nulo offers other flavor options, but the salmon & lentils formula analyzed here is primarily chicken-based despite the name.
The rich, high-protein formula may cause digestive upset in cats transitioning from grain-heavy budget foods. A gradual 7-10 day transition is recommended.
How it compares
Nulo's B/88 sits at the top of the B tier, just 2 points shy of the A/90 cluster (Acana, Wellness CORE, and Instinct Kitten) and 3 points behind Orijen (A/91). The gap comes from Orijen's more intensive multi-meat approach and the A-tier leaders' organ meat inclusion. But Nulo typically costs 30-40% less than Orijen — making it an excellent value pick for premium-ingredient cat food.
Against the B-tier leaders, the gap is significant. Nulo scores 8 points above Wellness (B/80) and 12 above Blue Buffalo (B/76). The difference is protein positioning — Nulo keeps animal protein dominant throughout, while B-tier brands introduce more grain or legume content earlier in the formula.
The value proposition is strong. Nulo delivers near-A-grade nutrition at a price point that's meaningfully lower than Orijen, making it the sweet spot for cat owners who want premium ingredients without the ultra-premium markup.
Read the full breakdowns in our head-to-head comparisons: Wellness CORE vs Nulo.
For Nulo's freeze-dried raw cat variant, see our Nulo FreeStyle Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken & Salmon (B/78) review scored under the Fresh Food Rubric v1.0 — the freeze-dried raw format scores lower than this dry kibble because pathogen-control documentation is not public.
The bottom line
Nulo Freestyle earns an A grade (88/100) from KibbleIQ — one of only two A-grade cat foods in our database. The double chicken protein base, salmon oil omega-3s, and prebiotic chicory root deliver premium nutrition in a clean, grain-free formula. Limited protein diversity and pea content are the only meaningful concerns. If Orijen's price is out of reach, Nulo is the right step down — you lose 3 points but save significantly on every bag. Shop on Amazon →