Freestyle High-Protein Small Breed Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 30, 2026
This is a high-protein, grain-free dry food formulated specifically for small-breed dogs at all life stages, except large-breed puppies. It uses deboned beef, turkey meal, and menhaden fish meal as main protein sources, with sweet potato, lentils, and chickpeas providing carbohydrates and fiber. Added omega fatty acids, taurine, L-carnitine, probiotics, and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables round out the formula for everyday nutrition in active small dogs.
This is a nutrient-dense, high-protein dry food tailored to the needs of small-breed dogs, with appropriate calories per cup for their higher metabolisms. It offers multiple animal protein sources and a well-rounded nutrient profile, including taurine, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and a probiotic. It’s a strong option for healthy small dogs, though owners of breeds at higher risk for diet-associated heart disease may want to discuss the legume content with their veterinarian.
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At a Glance
What "not formulated for" means
Life stages this food isn't certified complete and balanced for, based on its AAFCO statement.KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Multiple animal protein sources (deboned beef, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, lamb, salmon meal) provide a rich amino acid profile for active small dogs.
- High protein (31% minimum) and moderate fat (17% minimum) suit many small breeds’ higher energy needs, with controlled fiber (5% max) to help support digestion.
- Contains added taurine (0.1% min) and L-carnitine, plus relatively high omega-3 (1.25% min) and omega-6 (2.8% min) levels, which support heart, muscle, skin, and coat health.
- Includes a probiotic (Bacillus coagulans) and prebiotic fiber sources like inulin and miscanthus grass to help support a healthy gut microbiome, and is complete and balanced per AAFCO for all life stages except large-breed puppy growth.
Considerations
- Lentils and chickpeas are high in the ingredient list, making this a legume-heavy, grain-free diet; such formulas have been associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in some dogs, so it’s worth discussing with your vet, especially for at-risk breeds.
- Multiple protein sources (beef, turkey, lamb, fish, chicken fat) mean it may not be ideal for dogs who need a simple or limited-ingredient diet for food allergies.
- The calorie density (about 419 kcal per cup) is fairly high, so portions need to be measured carefully to avoid unwanted weight gain in small dogs.
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
Beef
Beef is commonly used in dog and cat foods as a primary animal protein and palatability enhancer, supplying high-quality essential amino acids, B vitamins, iron, and zinc that support muscle maintenance and overall health. Owners should note beef can be calorie- and fat-dense and is a relatively common allergen, and raw or improperly handled beef carries microbial risks, so formulation, fat content, and sourcing/processing are important considerations.
02
Turkey
Turkey is commonly used as a primary animal protein in dog and cat foods, offering highly digestible, high‑quality protein and supplying essential amino acids along with B vitamins, phosphorus and zinc to support muscle maintenance and metabolism. Its fat level varies by cut so products can be lean or richer; some pets may develop allergies to poultry, cooked bones are hazardous, raw meat carries bacterial risk, and owners should rely on balanced commercial formulations (and ensure adequate taurine for cats) if turkey is a main ingredient.
03
Menhaden Fish
Menhaden fish is used in pet foods primarily as a high-quality animal protein and as a concentrated source of fish oil rich in omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which support healthy skin and coat, joint mobility, and anti‑inflammatory benefits for dogs and cats. It enhances palatability and provides essential micronutrients like iodine and selenium, but owners should be aware of possible fish allergies, caloric density and oil oxidation, and prefer products from reputable, sustainably sourced suppliers to reduce contamination risks.
04
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber, vitamins (notably beta‑carotene), minerals and antioxidants, often helping with stool quality and serving as a binder or energy ingredient. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and can support gut health, but because cats poorly convert beta‑carotene to vitamin A and require preformed vitamin A from animal sources, sweet potato is not a substitute for meat-based nutrients; its relatively high carbohydrate content also means portion control is advised for overweight or diabetic pets and it should be cooked for best digestibility.
05
Lentil
Lentils are a plant-based source of protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber and micronutrients (notably folate and iron) commonly used in pet foods to add bulk, promote satiety and help moderate post-meal blood sugar. They can be a useful ingredient for dogs when properly processed and balanced with animal-derived amino acids, but lentil protein is less digestible and incomplete for obligate carnivores like cats; high legume inclusion can also increase gas or digestive upset and has been discussed in the context of diet-associated heart concerns in dogs, so lentils should be used in nutritionally complete, vetted formulations.
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 Freestyle High-Protein Small Breed Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog 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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