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Wet pet food
Nulo

FreeStyle Cat & Kitten Mackerel, Shrimp & Mussel Stew Wet Cat Food

Verified Aug 18, 2026

Cat · Wet Kitten Adult All Breed Sizes

This is a high-moisture wet stew for cats and kittens, built around seafood proteins from mackerel, shrimp, and mussel. The formula is complete and balanced for all life stages and includes added taurine plus vitamins and minerals to support overall feline health. Its broth-based texture can be especially useful for boosting hydration in cats that don’t drink much water on their own.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls

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KibbleLab Score
8.4 out of 10

Strong Choice

Nutritionally, this is a high-moisture, seafood-based wet food that’s complete and balanced for kittens and adult cats, making it versatile for multi-cat households. The first ingredients are named fish and shellfish, providing animal-based protein, with pumpkin and added prebiotic fiber (inulin) to support gentle digestion. It’s a good option for cats who benefit from extra hydration or prefer a stew-style texture, as long as they tolerate fish and shellfish proteins well.

Nutritional profile 8.6
Ingredient composition 8.0
Adequacy substantiation 7.0
Health considerations 10.0

Computed from 4 of 4 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber on a dry-matter basis, for the stated life stage and format
Adequacy substantiation Complete and balanced substantiation; feeding trials valued higher
Ingredient composition Screened for unnamed sources, artificial additives, and label protein inflation. Not a quality ranking.
Health considerations Pulse-heavy grain-free (DCM) pattern and recall history
Verified manufacturer evidence A small bonus when we can verify evidence addressing WSAVA selection criteria
9.0 - 10 Top Pick
8.0 - 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 - 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 - 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6.0 Review Carefully

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At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
Where these benefits come from Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.
Hydration Support Appetite Support
Suitable For
Kitten Adult All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Named seafood ingredients (mackerel, shrimp, mussel) provide clear, animal-based protein sources at the top of the ingredient list.
  • Very high moisture content (82%) helps support hydration, which is particularly helpful for cats prone to low water intake.
  • Complete and balanced per AAFCO for all life stages, so it can be used for kittens, adults, and pregnant/nursing cats.
  • Includes taurine at a clearly stated level, along with added vitamins, chelated minerals, and prebiotic inulin to support overall health and digestion.

Considerations

  • Relatively modest fat level (3% as-fed) compared with many canned foods may not be ideal for very high-energy or underweight cats that need more calorie-dense diets.
  • Fish and shellfish (mackerel, shrimp, mussel) are common allergens for some cats, so this wouldn’t be suitable for cats with known fish or seafood sensitivities.
  • Contains multiple gums (xanthan and guar) as thickeners; most cats tolerate these well, but a few with very sensitive digestion may do better with simpler textures.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Mackerel, Fish Broth, Shrimp, Mussel, Pumpkin, Coconut Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Salt, Inulin, Guar Gum, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Parsley, Magnesium Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Nicotinic Acid, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Calcium Iodate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Cholecalciferol, Biotin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex.

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
Mackerel
Mackerel is a fatty fish commonly used in pet foods as a high‑quality animal protein and a rich source of omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), often added for flavor, palatability and healthy fats. Its omega‑3s support skin and coat condition, immune and joint health in dogs and cats, but owners should be aware of potential heavy‑metal accumulation, food sensitivities, and higher fat or sodium in some preparations, so choose properly processed, deboned sources from reputable suppliers.
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02
Fish Broth
Fish broth is used in pet food primarily as a flavor and moisture enhancer, providing modest amounts of fish-derived protein, amino acids, minerals and sometimes trace omega‑3s but not serving as a primary source of complete nutrition. It can improve hydration and entice picky, senior, or ill dogs and cats to eat, but caregivers should watch for high sodium, added seasonings (especially onion or garlic), potential fish allergies, and variable quality depending on processing.
03
Shrimp
Shrimp is used in pet foods and treats as a lean, palatable animal protein and flavor enhancer that supplies high-quality amino acids and nutrients such as vitamin B12, selenium, phosphorus, small amounts of omega-3s and taurine (important for cats). While nutritious and often well-accepted by dogs and cats, owners should watch for shellfish allergies, high cholesterol and added sodium in processed products, and avoid shells or raw/undercooked shrimp to prevent choking and microbial or contaminant risks—choose cooked, deboned, responsibly sourced shrimp when possible.
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04
Mussel
Mussel, especially green‑lipped mussel, is used in pet foods and supplements as a high‑quality animal protein and a natural source of omega‑3 fatty acids plus glucosamine and chondroitin, which can help support joint health and reduce inflammation. It also supplies minerals and B vitamins and can enhance palatability, but owners should be aware of potential shellfish allergies, variability in nutrient content depending on processing and sourcing, and that it should complement a balanced diet—consult your veterinarian if your pet has food sensitivities or is on medication.
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05
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is used in pet foods primarily as a fiber-rich carbohydrate and moisture source that can help regulate digestion and firm up loose stools or add bulk for softer stools, and it provides beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor) plus small amounts of vitamins and minerals for dogs and cats. It is safe and beneficial when plain cooked or canned (not spiced or sweetened pie filling), should be fed in moderation as a supplement rather than a primary food, and introduced gradually since large amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset or interfere with absorption of some medications.
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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.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
12.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
3.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
1.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
82.00%
Low High
768
kcal / Kg
61
kcal / Cup
Low
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

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Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Kitten
Lifestage Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Stew
Food type Wet

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced Yes
AAFCO life stages All Life Stages
Substantiation Formulation
Nulo FreeStyle(TM) Signature Stews Mackerel, Shrimp, & Mussels Recipe in Broth Cat & Kitten Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.

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.

Price tier $$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Nulo, Inc.
Parent company Apax Partners
Founded 2009
Headquarters Austin, Texas, USA
Website nulo.com
Manufacturing type Co Packer
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region Midwest and Southern regions
Manufacturing oversight

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

No recalls on record

No recall is listed for Nulo FreeStyle Cat & Kitten Mackerel, Shrimp & Mussel Stew Wet Cat Food.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.4 /10 Grade A
FreeStyle Cat & Kitten Mackerel, Shrimp & Mussel Stew Wet Cat Food
Nulo · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Nulo ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Nulo. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.

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.

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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 listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.