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LINE VS LINE · NULO KIBBLE

Nulo MedalSeries vs Nulo Challenger

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

Nulo MedalSeries against Nulo Challenger, measured across 25 and 5 kibble recipes: 30.2% vs 34.4% protein and 34% vs 28% starch, as fed.

25 kibble recipes reviewed 5 kibble recipes reviewed
THE SHORT VERSION

Main Differences

  • MedalSeries recipes average 30.2% protein (28 to 32%) and Challenger recipes average 34.4% protein (32 to 35%), a gap of about 4 points higher for Challenger.
  • Fat averages are close, 15.5% for MedalSeries versus 17.2% for Challenger. Calories per cup average 425 for both lines, the same.
  • MedalSeries' estimated starch averages 34% (30 to 41%), while Challenger's is lower at 28% (27 to 33%), a gap of about 6 points.
  • MedalSeries is grain-free in 84% of its recipes, while Challenger is 0% grain-free.
  • MedalSeries has 25 recipes spanning Adult, Puppy and Senior stages and All, Large and Small breeds, estimated at $3.37 per pound; Challenger has 5 recipes, only one labeled Puppy, same breed sizes, estimated at $4.42 per pound.
HEAD TO HEAD

The Two Lines in Figures

Measure Nulo MedalSeries Nulo Challenger Average kibble
Kibble recipes compared 25 5 1,747 in total
Protein, as fed 30.2%28.0% to 32.0% 34.4%32.0% to 35.0% 27.2%
Fat, as fed 15.5%7.0% to 18.0% 17.2%14.0% to 18.0% 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. 34%30% to 41% 28%27% to 33% 37%
Calories per cup 425371 to 449 425410 to 438 398
Grain-free recipes 84% 0%
Life stages Adult 18, Puppy 6, Senior 1 Puppy 1
Breed sizes All Breeds 17, Large Breed 4, Small Breed 4 All Breeds 3, Large Breed 1, Small Breed 1
Price per pound, estimate $3.37/lbEstimate, median of 24 of 25 recipesRecipes run $3.12 to $4.40Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 $4.42/lbEstimate, median of 5 of 5 recipesRecipes run $4.42 to $5.00Prices checked Sep 28, 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 MedalSeries

Nulo MedalSeries Chicken & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 32.0% as fed Nulo MedalSeries Chicken & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Protein 32% Fat 17% Starch 30% 431 kcal/cup Nulo MedalSeries Small Breed Turkey & Chickpeas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 30% Nulo MedalSeries Small Breed Turkey & Chickpeas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Protein 32% Fat 18% Starch 30% 441 kcal/cup Nulo MedalSeries Weight Management Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 371 kcal per cup Nulo MedalSeries Weight Management Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Protein 30% Fat 7% Starch 41% 371 kcal/cup

Nulo Challenger

Nulo Challenger Organic Ancient Grains Haddock, Salmon & Acadian Redfish Recipe Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 35.0% as fed Nulo Challenger Organic Ancient Grains Haddock, Salmon & Acadian Redfish Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 35% Fat 18% Starch 27% 427 kcal/cup Nulo Challenger Small Breed Organic Ancient Grains Haddock, Salmon & Acadian Redfish Recipe Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 27% Nulo Challenger Small Breed Organic Ancient Grains Haddock, Salmon & Acadian Redfish Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 35% Fat 18% Starch 27% 427 kcal/cup Nulo Challenger Organic Ancient Grains Duck, Turkey & Guinea Fowl Recipe Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 423 kcal per cup Nulo Challenger Organic Ancient Grains Duck, Turkey & Guinea Fowl Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 35% Fat 18% Starch 27% 423 kcal/cup
CHOOSING

Who Each Line Suits

A GOOD FIT FOR

Nulo MedalSeries

  • Owners of senior dogs, since MedalSeries has a Senior Chicken & Lentils recipe Challenger lacks.
  • Owners wanting a grain-free diet, since 84% of MedalSeries recipes are grain-free versus 0% for Challenger.
  • Owners on a budget, since MedalSeries' estimated $3.37 per pound is lower than Challenger's $4.42.
A GOOD FIT FOR

Nulo Challenger

  • Owners wanting higher protein food, since Challenger averages 34.4% protein versus MedalSeries' 30.2%.
  • Owners of large breed puppies, since Challenger's one puppy recipe is sized for Large Breed.
  • Owners seeking grain-inclusive recipes, since Challenger is 0% grain-free across all its recipes.
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 FreeStyle vs Nulo Frontrunner 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

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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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