FreeStyle is built around grain-free recipes. All 39 skip grain, across 15 kibbles, 14 wet foods and 10 toppers. Fish and turkey each appear in 12 of the 15 kibbles, with lamb in 3 and beef in 1. The wet foods and toppers add duck, chicken and egg. The line includes recipes sold for small breeds, large breed puppies, seniors and weight control.
Kibble protein runs from 28% to 33%, and estimated starch runs from 29% to 41%, as fed. The kibble averages of 30.6% protein and 32.8% starch compare with 26.9% and 37.4% for the catalog's kibbles. The wet foods average 10.1% protein, against a catalog wet average of 8.3%. The toppers average 31.5% protein, against 18.4% for the catalog's toppers.
The trade-offs are in the ingredient lists. Every kibble contains peas or lentils plus potato in some form, so owners avoiding legumes have no dry option in this line. Seven of the 14 wet foods also include peas or lentils, and none of the toppers do. The toppers vary widely, from the 44 kcal Mackerel, Chicken & Mussel pouch to the Chicken Meatball Mixers at 45% protein, so their labels are worth a close read.
| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free | 33% | 18% | 29% | 424 | Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal |
| Puppy Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free | 33% | 18% | 29% | 434 | Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potato |
| Large Breed Puppy Salmon & Turkey Recipe Grain-Free | 32% | 13% | 34% | 385 | Deboned Salmon, Turkey Meal, Lentils |
| Small Breed Salmon & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free | 31% | 17% | 31% | 405 | Deboned Salmon, Lentils, Chickpeas |
| Small Breed Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free | 31% | 17% | 31% | 419 | Deboned Beef, Turkey Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal |
| Lamb & Chickpeas Recipe Grain-Free | 31% | 17% | 31.5% | 411 | Deboned lamb, turkey meal, salmon meal |
| Senior Trout & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free | 30% | 12% | 37% | 382 | Deboned Trout, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal |
| Adult Trim Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free | 30% | 7% | 41% | 339 | Deboned Cod, Turkey Meal, Whole Peas |
| Limited+ Turkey Recipe Grain-Free | 30% | 17% | 33.5% | 427 | Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chickpeas |
| Limited+ Alaska Pollock & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free | 30% | 17% | 31% | 407 | Pollock, Lentils, Pollock Meal |
| Limited+ Salmon Recipe Grain-Free | 30% | 18% | 30.5% | 413 | Deboned salmon, salmon meal, chickpeas |
| Salmon & Peas Recipe Grain-Free | 30% | 16% | 33.5% | 411 | Deboned Salmon, Turkey Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal |
| Limited+ Small Breed Turkey Recipe Grain-Free | 30% | 17% | 32.5% | 422 | Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chickpeas |
| Puppy Salmon & Peas Recipe Grain-Free | 30% | 17% | 33% | 390 | Deboned Salmon, Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal |
| Limited+ Lamb Recipe Grain-Free | 28% | 16% | 35% | 415 | Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Chickpeas |
| Line average | 30.6% | 15.8% | 32.8% | 406 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Starch is our estimate, since no bag prints it. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
33% protein · 18% fat · 29% starch · 424 kcal/cup · Adult
This adult kibble shares the highest protein (33%) and the lowest estimated starch (29%) of the kibbles with the turkey puppy recipe. Turkey, turkey meal and salmon meal lead the list, at 424 kcal per cup.
Full review of Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free33% protein · 18% fat · 29% starch · 434 kcal/cup · Puppy
This puppy kibble has the most calories of the kibbles at 434 kcal per cup, with 33% protein and 18% fat. Turkey and turkey meal lead, followed by sweet potato, salmon meal and whole peas.
Full review of Puppy Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free32% protein · 13% fat · 34% starch · 385 kcal/cup · Puppy
Made for large breed puppies, this salmon and turkey kibble has 13% fat and 385 kcal per cup, both lower than the all breeds puppy kibbles. It has 32% protein and 34% estimated starch.
Full review of Large Breed Puppy Salmon & Turkey Recipe Grain-Free31% protein · 17% fat · 31% starch · 405 kcal/cup
Salmon leads this small breed kibble, but lentils, chickpeas and sweet potato all come before turkey meal. It has 31% protein, 17% fat and 31% estimated starch at 405 kcal per cup.
Full review of Small Breed Salmon & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free31% protein · 17% fat · 31% starch · 419 kcal/cup · Adult
The only kibble with beef, this small breed recipe also includes turkey meal, menhaden fish meal and lamb. It has 31% protein, 17% fat and 419 kcal per cup, for owners of small dogs who are fine with mixed proteins.
Full review of Small Breed Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free31% protein · 17% fat · 31.5% starch · 411 kcal/cup
Lamb leads this kibble, joined by turkey meal and salmon meal, and its first five list whole peas and sweet potato but not chickpeas. It has 31% protein, 17% fat and 411 kcal per cup, for owners who want lamb first and are fine with poultry and fish.
Full review of Lamb & Chickpeas Recipe Grain-Free30% protein · 12% fat · 37% starch · 382 kcal/cup · Senior
The only senior kibble in the line, this recipe leads with trout, then turkey meal and salmon meal, for 30% protein and 12% fat. Its 382 kcal per cup and 37% estimated starch put it at the lower calorie, higher starch end of the kibbles.
Full review of Senior Trout & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free30% protein · 7% fat · 41% starch · 339 kcal/cup · Adult
Made for weight control, this cod kibble has the least fat (7%), the most estimated starch (41%) and the fewest calories (339 kcal per cup) of the kibbles. Whole peas, chickpeas and lentils all appear in its first five ingredients.
Full review of Adult Trim Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free30% protein · 17% fat · 33.5% starch · 427 kcal/cup
This Limited+ kibble has turkey as its only animal protein and is sold for all breed sizes, with 30% protein and 33.5% estimated starch. Canola oil is in its first five, and it has 427 kcal per cup.
Full review of Limited+ Turkey Recipe Grain-Free30% protein · 17% fat · 31% starch · 407 kcal/cup
Pollock is the only animal protein here, and lentils are second on the ingredient list, ahead of pollock meal. It has 30% protein, 17% fat and 6% fiber, for owners who want a fish-only kibble without salmon.
Full review of Limited+ Alaska Pollock & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free30% protein · 18% fat · 30.5% starch · 413 kcal/cup
Salmon and salmon meal provide the only animal protein in this Limited+ kibble, followed by chickpeas and chickpea flour. It has 30% protein and 3641 kcal per kg, and its 18% fat is the highest of the Limited+ kibbles.
Full review of Limited+ Salmon Recipe Grain-Free30% protein · 16% fat · 33.5% starch · 411 kcal/cup · Adult
Salmon leads this adult kibble, backed by turkey meal and menhaden fish meal, with whole peas fourth. It has 30% protein, 16% fat and 33.5% estimated starch at 411 kcal per cup.
Full review of Salmon & Peas Recipe Grain-Free30% protein · 17% fat · 32.5% starch · 422 kcal/cup · Adult
This small breed Limited+ kibble has turkey as its only animal protein and the most calories per kg of the kibbles, at 3712. It has 30% protein, 17% fat and 422 kcal per cup.
Full review of Limited+ Small Breed Turkey Recipe Grain-Free30% protein · 17% fat · 33% starch · 390 kcal/cup · Puppy
This all breeds puppy kibble leads with salmon and also lists deboned turkey, turkey meal and menhaden fish meal. At 390 kcal per cup and 17% fat, it has fewer calories and less fat than the turkey puppy kibble.
Full review of Puppy Salmon & Peas Recipe Grain-Free28% protein · 16% fat · 35% starch · 415 kcal/cup · Adult
This Limited+ kibble has lamb as its only animal protein and the least protein of the kibbles at 28%. It suits owners avoiding poultry and fish, with chickpeas, lentils and sweet potato in its first five.
Full review of Limited+ Lamb Recipe Grain-FreeAll figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Wet food is mostly water, so compare it with other wet food only. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
11% protein · 2% fat · 59 kcal/cup · Adult
This all-fish stew has the least fat (2%) and the fewest calories of the wet foods, at 745 kcal per kg and 59 kcal per cup, with 83% moisture. It suits owners of small adult dogs who want a light, fish-only wet food.
Full review of Signature Stews Small Breed Tuna, Pollock & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free11% protein · 3% fat · 146 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This all breeds beef stew is labeled for all life stages and has beef as its only animal protein, with kale and pumpkin. It has 11% protein, 3% fat and 146 kcal per cup, with 83% moisture.
Full review of Signature Stews Beef, Beef Liver & Kale Recipe Grain-Free11% protein · 3% fat · 67 kcal/cup · Adult
Chicken and duck lead this small breed stew, with pumpkin and no peas or lentils. At 11% protein, 3% fat and 67 kcal per cup, it suits owners of small adult dogs who want poultry other than turkey.
Full review of Signature Stews Small Breed Chicken, Duck & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free10.5% protein · 7% fat · 211 kcal/can
Turkey is the only animal protein in this small breed paté, with lentils fourth on the list and potato also present. It has 10.5% protein, 7% fat and 211 kcal per can, for small dogs that eat turkey.
Full review of Paté Small Breed Turkey & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free10.5% protein · 8% fat · 203 kcal/can
Duck leads this small breed paté, the only paté in the line built on duck, followed by duck broth, turkey liver and chickpeas. It has 10.5% protein, 8% fat and 203 kcal per can.
Full review of Paté Small Breed Duck & Chickpeas Recipe Grain-Free10.5% protein · 8.5% fat · 213 kcal/can
The only wet food here with egg, this small breed paté mixes lamb, turkey and beef liver, with 8.5% fat and 1367 kcal per kg. It contains both peas or lentils and potato, a fact for owners who track those ingredients.
Full review of Paté Small Breed Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free10% protein · 7% fat · 477 kcal/can
This all breeds paté pairs turkey with salmon and salmon broth, with carrots among its first five ingredients. It has 10% protein, 7% fat and 477 kcal per can, for owners who want a turkey and fish wet food.
Full review of Paté Turkey, Salmon & Chickpeas Recipe Grain-Free10% protein · 9% fat · 535 kcal/can · Adult
This adult paté has the most fat (9%) and the most calories of the wet foods, at 1454 kcal per kg and 535 kcal per can. Lamb leads, with turkey and fish also included, which suits owners looking for a richer wet food.
Full review of Paté Lamb & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free10% protein · 3% fat · 385 kcal/can · Adult
Made for weight control in adults, this paté has 3% fat and 2.5% fiber, the most fiber of the wet foods, at 1046 kcal per kg. Turkey and cod lead the list, and peas or lentils are included.
Full review of Paté Adult Trim Turkey & Cod Recipe Grain-Free10% protein · 7% fat · 101 kcal/can · All Life Stages
Beef and lamb lead this small breed paté, which is labeled for all life stages and has sweet potato in its first five with no peas or lentils. It has 10% protein, 7% fat and 101 kcal per can.
Full review of Paté Small Breed Beef & Lamb Recipe Grain-Free10% protein · 7% fat · 1,224 kcal/kg · All Life Stages
Chicken leads this small breed paté, followed by chicken broth, salmon, pumpkin and chicken liver, and it is labeled for all life stages. It is one of the patés without peas or lentils, at 10% protein, 7% fat and 1224 kcal per kg.
Full review of Paté Small Breed Chicken, Salmon & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free9.5% protein · 5% fat · 415 kcal/can · Puppy
This is the only wet food in the line labeled for puppies, built on turkey with cod and salmon broth. It has 9.5% protein, 5% fat and 415 kcal per can, and includes peas or lentils and potato.
Full review of Paté Puppy Turkey, Cod & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free9% protein · 4% fat · 76 kcal/cup · Adult
This small breed stew has beef as its only animal protein, with kale and pumpkin, at 9% protein, 4% fat and 76 kcal per cup. It is the small breed version of the all breeds beef stew, with less protein and fewer calories per cup.
Full review of Signature Stews Small Breed Beef, Beef Liver & Kale Recipe Grain-Free8% protein · 5% fat · 91 kcal/cup · Adult
This lamb-only stew has the least protein of the wet foods at 8%, with lamb liver, pumpkin and coconut oil in its first five. It suits owners of small adult dogs who want a single meat and no peas or lentils.
Full review of Signature Stews Small Breed Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Moisture | Kcal / kg | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Boost Meatball Mixers Chicken Recipe | 45% | 35% | 7% | 5,040 | Chicken, Chicken Heart, Chicken Liver |
| True Boost Skin & Coat Functional Mixers Salmon Recipe Grain-Free | 40% | 30% | 7% | 4,780 | Salmon, Dried Egg, Vitamin B7 (Biotin) |
| True Boost Hip & Joint Functional Mixers Beef Recipe | 40% | 25% | 7% | 4,402 | Beef, Beef Heart, Beef Liver |
| True Boost Whole Prey Mixers Beef & Coconut Recipe | 40% | 20% | 7% | 4,067 | Beef, Beef Liver, Coconut |
| True Boost Whole Prey Mixers Chicken & Pumpkin Recipe | 40% | 30% | 7% | 4,782 | Chicken, Chicken Heart, Chicken Liver |
| True Boost Gut Health Functional Mixers Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe | 30% | 20% | 7% | 4,140 | Lamb, lamb liver, pumpkin |
| True Boost Meatball Mixers Beef & Turkey Recipe | 30% | 25% | 7% | 4,160 | Beef, Turkey, Pumpkin |
| True Boost Whole Prey Mixers Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe | 28% | 24% | 7% | 4,360 | Salmon, Sweet Potatoes, Salmon Oil |
| Meaty Pouches Lamb, Mackerel & Kelp Recipe Grain-Free | 12% | 5% | 80.5% | 948 | Lamb, Lamb Broth, Mackerel |
| Meaty Pouches Mackerel, Chicken & Mussel Recipe Grain-Free | 10% | 1% | 87% | 552 | Mackerel, Mackerel Broth, Chicken |
| Line average | 31.5% | 21.5% | 22.4% | 3,723 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Wet food is mostly water, so compare it with other wet food only. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
45% protein · 35% fat · 4% starch · 5,040 kcal/kg · Adult
This chicken mixer leads the toppers with 45% protein, 35% fat and 5040 kcal per kg, and it has the least estimated starch at 4%. Sage and salt follow chicken, chicken heart and chicken liver, which suits owners who plan small portions of a dense, meat-heavy topper.
Full review of True Boost Meatball Mixers Chicken Recipe40% protein · 30% fat · 14% starch · 4,780 kcal/kg · Adult
Sold for skin and coat, this salmon mixer is the only topper here with egg, and biotin and salmon oil appear among its first ingredients. It has 40% protein, 30% fat and 14% estimated starch.
Full review of True Boost Skin & Coat Functional Mixers Salmon Recipe Grain-Free40% protein · 25% fat · 19% starch · 225 kcal/cup · Adult
Sold for hip and joint support, this mixer has beef as its only animal protein, built on beef, beef heart and beef liver with salmon oil in the first five. It has 40% protein, 25% fat and 225 kcal per cup.
Full review of True Boost Hip & Joint Functional Mixers Beef Recipe40% protein · 20% fat · 22% starch · 199 kcal/cup · Adult
Coconut is the third ingredient in this mixer of beef, beef liver and beef heart, which also lists dried beef bone broth. It has 40% protein, 20% fat and 199 kcal per cup, for owners who want a single-protein beef topper.
Full review of True Boost Whole Prey Mixers Beef & Coconut Recipe40% protein · 30% fat · 12% starch · 234 kcal/cup · Adult
This chicken mixer combines chicken, chicken heart, chicken liver and dried chicken bone broth with pumpkin, for 40% protein and 30% fat. At 234 kcal per cup, it has the most calories of the toppers that list a cup figure.
Full review of True Boost Whole Prey Mixers Chicken & Pumpkin Recipe30% protein · 20% fat · 27% starch · 195 kcal/cup · Adult
Sold for gut health, this mixer has 10% fiber, the most of any topper here, with pumpkin and ground miscanthus grass in its first five ingredients. Lamb is its only animal protein, at 30% protein and 27% estimated starch.
Full review of True Boost Gut Health Functional Mixers Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe30% protein · 25% fat · 27% starch · 4,160 kcal/kg · Adult
The only topper with turkey, this meatball mixer pairs it with beef, plus pumpkin, sweet potato and carrots. At 30% protein and 27% estimated starch, it sits at the lower protein, higher starch end of the True Boost mixers.
Full review of True Boost Meatball Mixers Beef & Turkey Recipe28% protein · 24% fat · 30% starch · 214 kcal/cup · Adult
Sweet potatoes come right after salmon, giving this mixer the most estimated starch of the toppers at 30% and the lowest protein of the dry mixers at 28%. Salmon is its only animal protein, for owners who want a fish topper.
Full review of True Boost Whole Prey Mixers Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe12% protein · 5% fat · 76 kcal/pouch
This moist pouch pairs lamb with mackerel and kelp and has 12% protein and 5% fat at 76 kcal per pouch. It suits owners who want a lamb and fish topper that is wetter and lighter than the True Boost mixers.
Full review of Meaty Pouches Lamb, Mackerel & Kelp Recipe Grain-Free10% protein · 1% fat · 44 kcal/pouch
This pouch has the least protein (10%), the least fat (1%) and the fewest calories of the toppers, at 44 kcal per pouch and 87% moisture. Mussel sets it apart, and it suits owners who want to add moisture without many extra calories.
Full review of Meaty Pouches Mackerel, Chicken & Mussel Recipe Grain-FreeYes. All 39 FreeStyle recipes are grain free, across kibble, wet food and toppers. All 15 kibbles still contain peas or lentils, and so do 7 of the 14 wet foods.
Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe and Puppy Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe both list 33% protein, the highest of the kibbles. Among the toppers, True Boost Meatball Mixers Chicken Recipe is highest at 45%.
Not in kibble, since all 15 kibbles contain them. Wet options without them include the Signature Stews and the Paté Small Breed Beef & Lamb and Paté Small Breed Chicken, Salmon & Pumpkin recipes. None of the 10 toppers contain peas or lentils.
Protein runs higher than the average kibble we review (34.0% vs 30.1% on a dry matter basis).
Starch is lower than average, at 33% of the food as fed.
100% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).
100% of recipes are grain-free.
this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 3,205 foods we review
Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out
Share of recipes that list each animal protein as an ingredient, not counting oils, fats or flavorings. Useful if your dog has a food sensitivity.
These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.
Our log holds FDA dog food recall notices from 2012 on, so this is not a guarantee that Nulo has never had one. See the recall log
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115 foods in the deck. Grapes are in there. So is cheese.
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