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Dry pet food
Nulo

Freestyle High-Protein Lamb & Chickpeas Recipe Dry Dog Food

Verified Aug 28, 2026

Dog · Dry Adult All Breed Sizes

This is a grain-free, high-protein dry food for adult dogs, built around lamb, turkey meal, and salmon meal as the main animal protein sources. Peas, sweet potato, and chickpeas provide carbohydrates and fiber, while added omega-rich chicken fat, taurine, and probiotics support overall nutrition. It’s designed for active adult dogs who do well on a grain-free, legume-based formula.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls

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KibbleLab Score
8.3 out of 10

Strong Choice

A protein-rich adult dry food that uses multiple animal meals along with peas and chickpeas to reach its 31% protein level. It offers solid omega-3 and omega-6 levels plus added probiotics and taurine, which many active or higher-energy adult dogs can do well on. Because it is grain-free and relies heavily on pulses, it’s best chosen thoughtfully, especially for breeds with heart concerns.

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

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.
Probiotic Support Immune Support Skin Coat Health Heart Care High Energy
Suitable For
Adult All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Lamb, turkey meal, and salmon meal provide multiple concentrated sources of animal protein.
  • Added taurine, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support heart, skin, and coat health needs.
  • Includes a probiotic (Bacillus coagulans) and chicory root, which can help support digestive health.
  • Complete and balanced to AAFCO standards for adult maintenance, suitable for most healthy adult dogs.

Considerations

  • Peas and chickpeas are major ingredients, so this grain-free formula may not be ideal for dogs at higher risk for diet-associated heart disease.
  • Contains lamb, turkey, salmon, and chicken fat, so it is not a good fit for dogs with multiple protein allergies.
  • Formulated for adult maintenance only, so it is not appropriate as the main diet for puppies or pregnant or nursing dogs.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Deboned Lamb, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, Whole Peas, Sweet Potato, Chickpeas, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid), Lamb Meal, Pea Fiber, Natural Flavor, Dried Tomatoes, Yeast Culture, Salt, Potassium Chloride, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Dried Apples, Dried Blueberries, Dried Carrots, Zinc Proteinate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Iron Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Rosemary Extract.

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
Deboned Lamb
Deboned lamb is used in pet foods primarily as a high-quality animal protein source for dogs and cats, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, iron and zinc while lacking the calcium associated with bone-in meats. It can be a palatable option and a potential novel protein for animals with food sensitivities, but owners should note lamb can be higher in fat and calories than lean meats and raw or undercooked lamb may carry pathogens unless properly processed, so check product labels and consult your veterinarian for specific dietary needs.
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.
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03
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.
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04
Pea
Pea is a plant-based ingredient used in pet foods as a source of protein, soluble and insoluble fiber, and micronutrients (often included as whole peas, pea flour, or pea protein concentrate) to boost protein content and improve texture. While peas can provide digestible carbohydrates, fiber, and some plant protein useful especially for dogs, they are not a complete protein for obligate carnivores like cats and — when overused, particularly in concentrated forms or as a major component of grain‑free diets — have been scrutinized for a possible association with canine dilated cardiomyopathy and can contribute to nutrient imbalances or excess calories, so balanced formulation and compliance with AAFCO nutritional profiles are important.
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05
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.
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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)
31.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
17.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
4.50%
Low High
Moisture (max)
10.00%
Low High
3519
kcal / Kg
411
kcal / Cup
Moderate
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 Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Kibble
Food type Dry

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 Adult Maintenance
Substantiation Formulation
Nulo FreeStyle Adult Lamb & Chickpeas Recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.

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 High-Protein Lamb & Chickpeas Recipe Dry Dog 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.
8.3 /10 Grade A
Freestyle High-Protein Lamb & Chickpeas Recipe Dry Dog 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.