Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken & Salmon Recipe Cat Food
Verified Jun 30, 2026
This is a very high-protein, high-fat freeze-dried raw cat food made with chicken, salmon, and organ meats, designed for kittens through adult cats. It uses meat, organs, and bone as primary ingredients, with added salmon oil, flaxseed, and a probiotic (Bacillus coagulans) for digestive support. The formula is complete and balanced for all life stages, so it can be fed as a sole diet or crumbled over regular kibble as a topper.
Nutritionally, this is a high-quality, meat-focused freeze-dried raw option that provides very dense calories, making it well suited for active cats, growing kittens, or cats that do best on higher protein and fat. The ingredient list is straightforward, built around chicken and salmon with organ meats and a modest amount of functional extras like spinach, flaxseed, cranberries, and probiotics. Because it’s very energy-dense, it’s important to measure portions carefully, especially for indoor adults or cats prone to weight gain.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- High protein (42% as-fed) and fat (30% as-fed), coming primarily from named animal sources, including muscle meat and nutrient-rich organs.
- Complete and balanced to AAFCO standards for all life stages, so it’s appropriate for kittens, adults, and pregnant or nursing cats when fed as directed.
- Includes a guaranteed level of Bacillus coagulans probiotic, which can support healthy digestion, plus taurine at an appropriate level for cats.
- Very low moisture and high caloric density (about 176 kcal per cup) mean small portions can provide substantial energy, which is helpful for high-metabolism or growing cats.
Considerations
- Primary proteins are chicken and salmon, so this formula would not be appropriate for cats with known allergies or sensitivities to poultry or fish.
- The very high fat and calorie density can lead to weight gain if measured portions are not carefully followed, particularly for less active indoor adults.
- Freeze-dried raw products require proper storage and handling, and some cats may need a gradual transition if they are used to traditional kibble or canned diets.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
Salmon
Salmon is commonly used as a high-quality animal protein and rich source of omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) in dog and cat foods, supporting skin and coat condition, joint and cognitive health, and overall muscle maintenance. While very nutritious, salmon can be an allergen for some pets and raw salmon may pose risks from parasites, thiaminase-related thiamine loss, and region-specific pathogens (e.g., salmon poisoning); owners should avoid feeding uncooked bones and consider sourcing to minimize contaminant and sustainability concerns.
03
Chicken Neck
Chicken necks are commonly used as a protein-rich raw meaty bone in pet diets and treats, providing animal protein, collagen and connective tissue, and natural sources of calcium, phosphorus and small amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin that can support dental health and joint tissues. They can offer chewing enrichment but carry risks — cooked necks can splinter, raw feeding requires careful handling to avoid bacterial contamination, and frequent feeding can unbalance calcium-phosphorus ratios or pose choking hazards, so portion size, supervision and sourcing should be considered.
04
Chicken Heart
Chicken heart is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in dog and cat foods and treats as a highly palatable animal protein source, providing taurine, B vitamins (notably B12), iron, zinc and coenzyme Q10. It supports lean muscle and, for cats, provides essential taurine, but should be included as part of a balanced formulation and properly sourced/processed to reduce bacterial risk, since excessive organ intake can unbalance nutrients or be a concern for pets with specific metabolic or urate-stone issues.
05
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
Nulo is a premium pet food brand focused on grain-free and high-meat-protein recipes for dogs and cats. It is positioned as a performance and wellness brand, emphasizing quality ingredients, ancestral diet alignment, and the inclusion of probiotics to support digestive health.
Visit NuloManufacturer
Nulo partners with trusted manufacturing facilities in the United States and Canada that maintain high food safety standards including HACCP and SQF certification. Nulo oversees ingredient sourcing and quality control to ensure nutritional accuracy and consistency across batches.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken & Salmon Recipe Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Nulo ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Nulo. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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