Freeze-Dried Raw Beef & Apples Dog Food
Verified Jun 16, 2026
A high-fat, meat-first freeze-dried raw dog food that uses beef, organs, and ground bone as the primary ingredients, with apples and vegetables added for extra nutrients and fiber. It’s formulated as a complete and balanced diet for most life stages and can be fed as a full meal or crumbled over kibble as a topper. Added probiotics, salmon oil, and flaxseed provide digestive support and omega fatty acids for skin and coat health.
This is a nutrient-dense, high-fat, meat-heavy freeze-dried raw diet designed for puppies, adults, and seniors, but not for large-breed puppies. It offers very digestible animal protein from beef and organ meats, plus ground bone for minerals, and includes a nice mix of fruits, vegetables, and probiotics for digestive support. Because it’s quite calorie-dense and relatively high in fat, it tends to suit active dogs best and needs careful portion control, especially for smaller or less active pets.
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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
- Beef, organs, and ground bone make up the bulk of the recipe, providing highly digestible animal protein and natural sources of minerals like calcium and phosphorus.
- Very calorie- and nutrient-dense (about 195 kcal per cup), which is helpful for active dogs or those needing to maintain weight on smaller portions.
- Includes salmon oil, sunflower oil, and ground flaxseed, which supply omega fatty acids that support skin, coat, and overall health.
- Contains a guaranteed level of Bacillus coagulans probiotic plus inulin (a prebiotic), which can help support a healthy gut microbiome in many dogs.
Considerations
- High fat content (minimum 35%) and very high calories per cup mean this may not be ideal for dogs needing a lower-fat diet or those prone to weight gain; portions will need to be measured carefully.
- Contains multiple beef ingredients and dried egg, which are common allergens for some dogs, so it may not suit pets with known sensitivities to these proteins.
- Formulated for all life stages except growth of large-breed puppies (over 70 lb as adults), so it should not be used as the sole diet for large-breed puppies.
- Freeze-dried raw products, while convenient, still require careful handling and storage to minimize any food safety risks, similar to other raw-style 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
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
Beef Heart
Beef heart is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a high-quality animal protein and flavor enhancer, providing essential amino acids, taurine (especially important for cats and supportive of cardiac health in both species), B vitamins (including B12), iron, zinc and coenzyme Q10. It is a beneficial addition when part of a balanced diet but should not be the sole protein source—pets with beef allergies should avoid it, and processed or raw beef heart requires proper formulation and handling to ensure mineral balance and food-safety (e.g., control of sodium and pathogens).
03
Beef Liver
Beef liver is an organ meat commonly used in dog and cat foods and treats as a highly palatable, protein-rich, nutrient-dense ingredient that provides concentrated, bioavailable vitamins (especially vitamin A and B12), heme iron, copper, and essential amino acids. While it supports blood health and overall nutrition, beef liver should be fed in moderation because excess vitamin A can cause toxicity, its richness may upset sensitive stomachs or contribute to pancreatitis in predisposed pets, and proper sourcing/processing is important to minimize contaminant or bacterial risks.
04
Beef Kidney
Beef kidney is an organ meat commonly used in pet foods as a high-quality protein and nutrient-dense inclusion that contributes B vitamins (notably B12 and riboflavin), iron, copper, selenium and attractive flavor for palatability. It can be a beneficial addition for both dogs and cats but should be included in moderation because organ meats are relatively high in minerals and purines and may need restriction for animals with kidney or urate-related conditions, and raw or improperly handled kidney can pose food-safety risks.
05
Beef Bone
Beef bone in pet food is typically used as a source of minerals (especially calcium and phosphorus), ash and sometimes marrow-derived fat and flavor, most often included as ground bone or bone meal to help meet mineral requirements and enhance palatability for dogs and cats. While it can contribute useful minerals and texture, excessive bone increases ash and can disrupt mineral balance, and whole or cooked bones risk dental fracture, splintering, choking or gastrointestinal obstruction (raw bones also carry bacterial contamination concerns), so bone-containing ingredients must be carefully formulated and whole bones should only be given under veterinary guidance.
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 Beef & Apples 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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