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Nulo Cold Pressed Puppy & Adult Grain-Free Beef Recipe Dry Dog Food, 4-lb bag
Nulo

Cold Pressed Puppy & Adult Grain-Free Beef Recipe Dry Dog Food, 4-lb bag

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
dry $79.99 / 4-lb bag

Nulo Cold Pressed Puppy & Adult Grain-Free Beef Recipe Dry Dog Food, 4-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 67/100 (B) with Fair evidence. Zero controversial ingredients flagged. Strong protein profile with beef as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Strong protein profile with beef as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.

PQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI

Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.

STACK

No declared omega-3 source. Fish oil, salmon oil, and algae oil all absent.

FQI

Controversial ingredients · 1

  • sodium selenite
    Synthetic selenium source. Selenium is essential, but sodium selenite has a narrower safety margin than organic alternatives like selenium yeast. Better-formulated foods use the organic form.

Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 34% ⓘ
Protein
30%
min (as fed)
Fat
25%
min (as fed)
Fiber
6%
max (as fed)
Moisture
12%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

41 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    beef

    Real meat. Dense in protein and iron. Some dogs are sensitive to it, but for most it's an excellent base.

  2. 2
    lamb

    Real meat. Often used for dogs with chicken or beef sensitivities. Slightly higher fat content than chicken.

  3. 3
    beef liver

    Organ meat. Among the most nutrient-dense ingredients available, rich in B vitamins, iron, and vitamin A.

  4. 4
    lamb liver

    Organ meat. Same nutrient-density story as chicken or beef liver, dense in B vitamins, iron, vitamin A.

  5. 5
    ground miscanthus grass

    Same as miscanthus grass. A plant fiber source, mostly there for stool quality.

  6. 6
    spray-dried porcine plasma
  7. 7
    pumpkin

    Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.

  8. 8
    apples

    Real fruit, some fiber and antioxidants. The amount in kibble is too small to matter much.

  9. 9
    tuna oil
  10. 10
    sunflower oil

    Common plant oil. Useful in moderation for omega-6, though too much skews the omega ratio against the dog's favor.

  11. 11
    natural flavor

    Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.

  12. 12
    tricalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus source. Same role as dicalcium phosphate, slightly different ratio.

  13. 13
    coconut glycerin
  14. 14
    yeast culture

    Fermented yeast. Source of B vitamins and beta-glucans that some research suggests support immune function.

  15. 15
    betaine
  16. 16
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  17. 17
    mixed tocopherols

    Natural vitamin E used to keep fats from going rancid. The good kind of preservative.

  18. 18
    zinc proteinate

    Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.

  19. 19
    iron proteinate

    Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

  20. 20
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  21. 21
    copper proteinate

    Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.

  22. 22
    manganese proteinate

    Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.

  23. 23
    sodium selenite Flagged

    Inorganic selenium. Effective at AAFCO levels, no documented safety concern in dogs despite what some pet food blogs claim. Selenium yeast is a marginal upgrade, not a necessity. See why →

  24. 24
    calcium iodate

    Source of iodine for thyroid function. Functional, required in complete formulas.

  25. 25
    vitamin e supplement

    Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.

Showing first 25 of 41. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

21 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.