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LINE VS LINE · NULO KIBBLE

Nulo MedalSeries vs Nulo Frontrunner

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

Nulo MedalSeries against Nulo Frontrunner, measured across 25 and 6 kibble recipes: 30.2% vs 27.0% protein and 34% vs 37% starch, as fed.

25 kibble recipes reviewed 6 kibble recipes reviewed
THE SHORT VERSION

Main Differences

  • MedalSeries recipes average 30.2 percent protein, while Frontrunner recipes average 27 percent protein.
  • Fat is close: MedalSeries averages 15.5 percent fat and Frontrunner averages 16 percent. Estimated starch differs more, with MedalSeries at 34 percent and 425 kcal per cup versus Frontrunner at 37 percent and 431 kcal per cup.
  • MedalSeries is 84 percent grain-free, while Frontrunner is 0 percent grain-free.
  • MedalSeries offers 25 kibble recipes across Adult, Puppy and Senior stages and All, Large and Small breed sizes. Frontrunner offers 6 recipes labeled Puppy or Adult, mostly for All Breeds with one Small Breed recipe.
  • MedalSeries has an estimated price per pound of $3.37, while Frontrunner has an estimated price per pound of $2.82.
HEAD TO HEAD

The Two Lines in Figures

Measure Nulo MedalSeries Nulo Frontrunner Average kibble
Kibble recipes compared 25 6 1,747 in total
Protein, as fed 30.2%28.0% to 32.0% 27.0%27.0% to 27.0% 27.2%
Fat, as fed 15.5%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. 34%30% to 41% 37%37% to 37% 37%
Calories per cup 425371 to 449 431429 to 433 398
Grain-free recipes 84% 0%
Life stages Adult 18, Puppy 6, Senior 1 Puppy 1, Adult 1
Breed sizes All Breeds 17, Large Breed 4, Small Breed 4 All Breeds 5, 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 $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 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 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 MedalSeries

  • Owners of large breed dogs, since MedalSeries has 4 Large Breed recipes and Frontrunner has none.
  • Owners wanting a lower-fat recipe, since MedalSeries offers a Weight Management recipe with 7 percent fat.
  • Owners of senior dogs, since MedalSeries has a Senior Chicken and Lentils recipe.
A GOOD FIT FOR

Nulo Frontrunner

  • Owners wanting grain-inclusive recipes, since Frontrunner's grain-free share is 0 percent, unlike MedalSeries at 84 percent.
  • Owners looking for a lower estimated price per pound, since Frontrunner's is $2.82 versus MedalSeries' $3.37.
  • Owners wanting fewer recipes to pick from, since Frontrunner lists 6 kibble recipes versus MedalSeries' 25.
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 Challenger 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

Nulo Against Other Brands

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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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