Frontrunner High-Protein Turkey, Trout & Spelt Recipe Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 30, 2026
This is a high-protein dry food for adult dogs, built around deboned turkey, chicken meal, and trout as the main animal protein sources. It uses a mix of ancient and whole grains like oats, barley, brown rice, and spelt for steady energy, with added flaxseed and chicken fat to supply omega fatty acids. The formula also includes supplemental taurine, probiotics, and antioxidants from fruits and chicory root to support overall wellness and digestion.
Overall, this is a well-formulated adult dry food that should suit many healthy, moderately active dogs. It offers a solid protein level from multiple named animal sources, paired with digestible whole grains rather than legumes as the primary carbohydrates. Added omega fatty acids, taurine, and probiotics are nice extras for dogs who may benefit from support for skin, coat, heart, and digestive health.
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
- Multiple named animal proteins (deboned turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, trout) provide good-quality, highly bioavailable protein for adult dogs.
- Uses mostly whole and ancient grains (oats, barley, brown rice, spelt, millet, oats) instead of relying on peas or other legumes, which avoids the current concerns about legume-heavy diets and heart disease.
- Balanced omega-6 and relatively high omega-3 levels, plus ground flaxseed and chicken fat, help support skin and coat health.
- Includes added taurine and a guaranteed level of Bacillus coagulans (a probiotic), which can help support heart function and digestive health in many dogs.
Considerations
- Contains several common allergens, including chicken, egg, and fish, so it is not a good choice for dogs with known sensitivities to any of these proteins.
- The calorie density is fairly high at about 431 kcal per cup, so portion control is important for dogs who gain weight easily or are less active.
- Protein and fat levels, while adequate for most adults, are more moderate than some very high-performance formulas, so very intense canine athletes may need a higher-calorie or higher-protein option.
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
Deboned Turkey
Deboned turkey is commonly used in pet foods as a high-quality, lean animal protein that provides essential amino acids, B vitamins, and contributes to palatability and digestibility for both dogs and cats. It supports muscle maintenance and growth but can be an allergen for some animals, so owners of pets with food sensitivities should monitor reactions; additionally, complete diets must be formulated to meet species-specific needs (for example, adequate taurine for cats).
02
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.
03
Oat
Oats are commonly used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber (beta‑glucans), plant protein, B vitamins and minerals, which can support healthy digestion and help moderate blood glucose and cholesterol. They are generally well tolerated by dogs and can be included sparingly for cats, but owners should avoid flavored or sweetened preparations (and ingredients like xylitol or raisins), be mindful of possible grain sensitivities or cross‑contamination with gluten, and prefer cooked oats for better digestibility and portion control due to caloric content.
04
Barley
Barley is a cereal grain used in pet foods primarily as a digestible carbohydrate and source of dietary fiber (including soluble beta‑glucans), along with modest amounts of B vitamins and minerals. It can support healthy digestion, help moderate post‑meal blood sugar and aid weight management in dogs, but provides limited protein for obligate carnivores like cats, must be cooked/processed for good digestibility, and may be unsuitable for pets with grain sensitivities or calorie‑restricted diets.
05
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.
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 Frontrunner High-Protein Turkey, Trout & Spelt 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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