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LINE VS LINE · NULO KIBBLE

Nulo FreeStyle vs Nulo Frontrunner

Nulo FreeStyle vs Nulo Frontrunner: a bag from each line with their average protein, fat, starch and calories

Nulo FreeStyle against Nulo Frontrunner, measured across 15 and 6 kibble recipes: 30.6% vs 27.0% protein and 33% vs 37% starch, as fed.

15 kibble recipes reviewed 6 kibble recipes reviewed
THE SHORT VERSION

Main Differences

  • Nulo FreeStyle is 100% grain-free, while Nulo Frontrunner is not grain-free at 0% grain-free share.
  • Nulo FreeStyle averages higher protein at 30.6% versus Nulo Frontrunner at 27%; fat is close, 15.8% for FreeStyle versus 16% for Frontrunner.
  • Nulo FreeStyle averages 33% estimated starch and 406 kcal per cup, while Nulo Frontrunner averages 37% estimated starch and 431 kcal per cup.
  • Nulo FreeStyle has 15 kibble recipes spanning Adult, Puppy and Senior life stages and All Breeds, Small Breed and Large Breed sizes; Nulo Frontrunner has 6 recipes spanning Puppy and Adult life stages and All Breeds and Small Breed sizes only.
  • The estimated price per pound is $3.57 for Nulo FreeStyle and $2.82 for Nulo Frontrunner.
HEAD TO HEAD

The Two Lines in Figures

Measure Nulo FreeStyle Nulo Frontrunner Average kibble
Kibble recipes compared 15 6 1,747 in total
Protein, as fed 30.6%28.0% to 33.0% 27.0%27.0% to 27.0% 27.2%
Fat, as fed 15.8%7.0% to 18.0% 16.0%16.0% to 16.0% 14.3%
Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. 33%29% to 41% 37%37% to 37% 37%
Calories per cup 406339 to 434 431429 to 433 398
Grain-free recipes 100% 0%
Life stages Adult 6, Puppy 3, Senior 1 Puppy 1, Adult 1
Breed sizes All Breeds 11, Small Breed 3, Large Breed 1 All Breeds 5, Small Breed 1
Price per pound, estimate $3.57/lbEstimate, median of 15 of 15 recipesRecipes run $3.00 to $5.00Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026 $2.82/lbEstimate, median of 6 of 6 recipesRecipes run $2.61 to $2.86Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026
FDA recalls, last 5 years None None

Line figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that line, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Wet food, toppers and prescription diets are left out so the numbers compare like with like. Everything is as fed, the way the bag prints it; the switch above the table shows protein and fat on a dry matter basis instead. Why we use as fed. The price per pound is an estimate: the median of each recipe's lowest price per pound across the bag sizes and US retailers our price checks found, so a single bag can cost more or less. Shelf prices change often.

WHERE TO START

Top Recipes in Each Line

Nulo FreeStyle

Nulo FreeStyle Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 33.0% as fed Nulo FreeStyle Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Protein 33% Fat 18% Starch 29% 424 kcal/cup Nulo FreeStyle Limited+ Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 31% Nulo FreeStyle Limited+ Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Protein 30% Fat 18% Starch 31% 413 kcal/cup Nulo FreeStyle Adult Trim Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 339 kcal per cup Nulo FreeStyle Adult Trim Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Protein 30% Fat 7% Starch 41% 339 kcal/cup

Nulo Frontrunner

Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains Pork, Barley & Beef Recipe Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 27.0% as fed Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains Pork, Barley & Beef Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 27% Fat 16% Starch 37% 429 kcal/cup Nulo Frontrunner Puppy Ancient Grains Chicken, Oats & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 37% Nulo Frontrunner Puppy Ancient Grains Chicken, Oats & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 27% Fat 16% Starch 37% 431 kcal/cup Nulo Frontrunner Small Breed Ancient Grains Turkey, Whitefish & Quinoa Recipe Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 432 kcal per cup Nulo Frontrunner Small Breed Ancient Grains Turkey, Whitefish & Quinoa Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 27% Fat 16% Starch 37% 432 kcal/cup
CHOOSING

Who Each Line Suits

A GOOD FIT FOR

Nulo FreeStyle

  • Owners wanting a grain-free kibble, since FreeStyle is 100% grain-free across all 15 recipes
  • Owners of senior dogs, since FreeStyle has a Senior recipe and Frontrunner has none
  • Owners of large breed puppies, since only FreeStyle offers a Large Breed Puppy recipe
A GOOD FIT FOR

Nulo Frontrunner

  • Owners looking for a lower estimated price per pound, at $2.82 versus FreeStyle's $3.57
  • Owners open to grains, since Frontrunner's recipes are 0% grain-free and include ancient grains
  • Owners of small breed dogs, since Frontrunner has a Small Breed recipe
THE WHOLE RANGE

Every Nulo Line

Line Kibble recipes Protein Fat Starch Kcal / cup Grain-free Price / lb, est.
MedalSeries 25 30.2% 15.5% 34% 425 84% $3.37
FreeStyle 15 30.6% 15.8% 33% 406 100% $3.57
Frontrunner 6 27.0% 16.0% 37% 431 0% $2.82
Challenger 5 34.4% 17.2% 28% 425 0% $4.42
Culinary Harvest 5 30.0% 15.0% 35% 423 0% Not available
Nulo 5 30.0% 15.8% 33% 407 0% $4.35

Averages over each line's kibble we review, as fed. Lines with only a few recipes swing more on one bag. Price per pound is the same estimate as above.

KEEP COMPARING

More Nulo Line Comparisons

Nulo MedalSeries vs Nulo FreeStyle Nulo MedalSeries vs Nulo Frontrunner Nulo MedalSeries vs Nulo Challenger Nulo FreeStyle vs Nulo Challenger Nulo Frontrunner vs Nulo Challenger

The Nulo Lines

All Nulo food Nulo MedalSeries Nulo FreeStyle Nulo Frontrunner Nulo Challenger Nulo Culinary Harvest Nulo Nulo

Nulo Against Other Brands

Nulo vs Orijen Nulo vs Acana

How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brand's own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. The written comparison is drafted from these figures, and every number in it is checked against them. Figures refreshed October 25, 2026.

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