Skip to content

7,500+ pet foods rated. Your best match, free in 30 seconds.

Back
Freeze-Dried Raw Beef & Apples Dog Food
Nulo

Freeze-Dried Raw Beef & Apples Dog Food

Verified Aug 24, 2026

Dog · Dry Puppy Adult Senior All Breed Sizes

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.

Jump to ingredients
Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls

Affiliate link · may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

Official product page
KibbleLab Score
8.6 out of 10

Strong Choice

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.

Nutritional profile 9.4
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

KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.


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 Digestive Health
Suitable For
Puppy Adult Senior All Breed Sizes
Not Formulated For
What "not formulated for" means Life stages this food isn't certified complete and balanced for, based on its AAFCO statement.
Excludes Large Breed Growth
Does this food work for your pet?
We'll check every ingredient against your pet's sensitivities and avoidance list.

Nutritional Perspective

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.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Beef, Beef Heart, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Ground Beef Bone, Dried Egg, Apples, Apple Cider Vinegar, Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Kale, Spinach, Parsley, Blueberries, Salmon Oil, Sunflower Oil, Ground Flaxseed, Inulin, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Mixed Tocopherols (as preservative), Potassium Chloride, Salt, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid

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.
View ingredient
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.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
30.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
35.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
4.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
5.00%
Low High
5279
kcal / Kg
195
kcal / Cup
High
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

Not sure how much of this to feed?

The right daily portion depends on your dog's weight, age, and activity level. Create a free account, add your dog, and get their daily calories and portion sizes.


Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Puppy
Lifestage Adult
Lifestage Senior
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Freeze Dried
Processing method Freeze Dried
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 All Life Stages
Exclusions Excludes Large Breed Growth
Substantiation Formulation
Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Recipe With Apples Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages except for growth of large size dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult).

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 Freeze-Dried Raw Beef & Apples Dog Food.

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

Unlock More

Sign up for the full picture

Ingredient Check

We'll check every ingredient against your pet's profile.

Feeding Calculator

Personalized portion sizes based on your pet's weight, age, and activity level.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Compare this food with alternatives to find the best fit.


Share this food
KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.6 /10 Grade A
Freeze-Dried Raw Beef & Apples Dog Food
Nulo · kibblelab.com

Post your dog's report card and challenge friends to check their food.


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.

What does YOUR pet eat?
Look up any dog or cat food. Free, takes 30 seconds, no sign-up.
Check a Food

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.