Nulo Cat Food Review 2026: Freestyle and MedalSeries Formulas Compared for Canadian Cats

If you've been researching high-protein cat food in Canada, Nulo probably keeps coming up. It's a name that pet owners in the Yonge-Finch area ask us about often, usually right after they've read the ingredient panel of their current brand and started asking questions. This review breaks down Nulo's two main lines — Freestyle and MedalSeries — so you can decide which suits your cat. And when you're ready, you can compare high-protein options in our cat food collection at Ashario Pets.

A quick note before we start: Nulo is a US-based brand, and it is not one of the 79+ verified brands we currently stock at our North York store. We're reviewing it here as an educational comparison so you can shop smart. Where we mention products we actually carry — like dry cat food from Orijen, Acana, or Go! Solutions — those are the ones you can buy from us directly.

What is Nulo cat food and is it available in Canada in 2026?

Nulo is a US pet food company known for high-protein, low-carbohydrate recipes built around animal protein and a proprietary probiotic (BC30). Its two flagship dry cat lines are Freestyle (grain-free) and MedalSeries (with limited grains available). As of 2026, Nulo is sold through select Canadian retailers and online, though availability across Ontario is inconsistent compared to Canadian-made brands.

The brand's pitch is straightforward: cats are obligate carnivores, so their food should lean heavily on meat. Nulo's dry recipes typically hit around 40% protein content, which places it firmly in the high-protein category. That's meaningfully above the AAFCO minimum of 26% crude protein for adult cat maintenance and 30% for growth and reproduction.

Key Takeaway: Nulo Freestyle and MedalSeries are both high-protein, meat-first dry cat foods. Freestyle is fully grain-free; MedalSeries offers both grain-free and grain-inclusive options. Availability in Canada exists but is spotty — many Toronto owners choose comparable in-stock brands instead.

Nulo Freestyle vs MedalSeries: what's the actual difference?

The core difference is grain content and price positioning. Nulo Freestyle is the premium grain-free line with higher meat inclusion and no grains, corn, wheat, or soy. MedalSeries sits at a slightly more accessible price tier and includes some recipes with wholesome grains like brown rice, giving owners a grain-inclusive option while keeping protein content high.

Both lines share Nulo's high-protein philosophy and the BC30 probiotic. In our experience talking with customers who've fed both, the choice usually comes down to two things: whether their cat does better on grain-free or grain-inclusive food, and what fits their budget. There's no universal "better" — it depends on the individual cat.

How much protein and fat does Nulo cat food contain?

Nulo dry cat recipes typically list a guaranteed analysis of around 40–42% protein content and 18–20% fat content, with roughly 4% fiber content and calorie density near 460–475 kcal per cup. That's a nutrient-dense, meat-forward profile designed to mirror what a cat's body evolved to digest.

Here's why that matters. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they derive most of their energy from animal protein and fat rather than carbohydrates. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that cats have higher protein requirements than dogs and depend on specific nutrients found in animal tissue — most importantly taurine, an amino acid essential for heart and eye health. Nulo, like most quality cat foods, supplements taurine to meet AAFCO guaranteed analysis targets.

A few concrete numbers Toronto owners ask about:

• Protein: ~42% in Freestyle (dry) vs the 26% AAFCO adult minimum
• Fat: ~18–20%, supplying energy and supporting skin and coat
• Omega-3 and omega-6: included via fish and oils for coat and joint support
• Calories: roughly 460–475 kcal per cup — dense, so measure carefully
• Probiotics: BC30 (Bacillus coagulans) added for digestive support

Because Nulo is calorie-dense, portion control matters more than with lower-protein foods. A typical indoor 4.5 kg (10 lb) adult cat needs roughly 200–250 kcal per day, which on a 470 kcal-per-cup food works out to just over half a cup daily. Overfeeding dense kibble is one of the most common causes of feline weight gain we discuss with customers.

Is grain-free cat food better? What the research says in 2026

Grain-free is not automatically healthier for cats — it depends on the individual animal. Grain-free formulas like Nulo Freestyle replace grains with ingredients such as lentils, peas, or sweet potato. For cats with a diagnosed grain sensitivity, this can help; for most cats, either grain-free or a quality grain-inclusive food works fine.

The grain-free conversation got complicated after the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine began investigating a possible link between certain grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), primarily in dogs. As of 2026, the research is ongoing and the picture is most relevant to canine diets, not feline. Still, it's a reminder that "grain-free" is a marketing label, not a guarantee of quality.

What actually matters is the overall formulation: named animal protein first, adequate taurine, a complete AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement, and a life-stage formulation that matches your cat. In our store we see customers do best when they focus on those fundamentals rather than a single buzzword. If your cat has recurring digestive or skin issues, talk to your veterinarian before switching to any grain-free food.

Bottom Line: Grain-free food like Nulo Freestyle isn't inherently superior. Choose based on your cat's tolerance, your vet's advice, and the complete nutrient profile — not the label alone. Browse balanced options in our dry cat food and wet cat food collections.

How does Nulo compare to brands Ashario Pets actually carries?

Nulo competes directly with the high-protein, meat-first category — and several brands in that space are made in Canada and stocked at our North York store. For Toronto owners who want comparable nutrition with reliable local availability, brands like Orijen, Acana, and Go! Solutions are the closest matches.

Orijen and Acana (both made in Canada by Champion Petfoods) lead the high-protein category with recipes that regularly hit 40%+ protein content and emphasize fresh regional meats. Go! Solutions offers a broad range including grain-free and limited ingredient formulas — useful for cats with sensitivities. Our nutrition experts at the North York store often point customers who liked Nulo toward Orijen or Acana because the protein philosophy is so similar and the food is available on our shelves every day.

Here's how the categories line up:

• Orijen — Ultra-high-protein (often 40%+), fresh regional ingredients, biologically appropriate. Available in our dry cat food range.
• Acana — High protein at a slightly gentler tier than Orijen, also Canadian-made.
• Go! Solutions — Wide variety including grain-free and limited ingredient options for sensitive cats.
• Stella & Chewy's — For owners wanting freeze-dried raw; explore our freeze-dried cat food.
• Tiki Cat and Weruva — High-protein wet options if you're adding moisture to the diet.

Customers love that these brands ship across the GTA the same day. When someone comes into our store on Finch asking whether they should track down Nulo online or pick a comparable in-stock brand, we usually walk them through the guaranteed analysis of both side by side. More often than not, they leave with a Canadian brand that hits the same protein target.

Should you feed dry, wet, or both?

Most feline nutrition experts recommend including wet food in a cat's diet for hydration, since cats have a naturally low thirst drive. A mixed feeding approach — high-protein dry food plus wet food — combines the convenience and dental benefit of kibble with the moisture content of canned food, which supports urinary and kidney health.

The Tufts Cummings Veterinary Medical Center has published extensively on feline hydration and the value of moisture-rich diets, especially for cats prone to urinary issues. If you feed a dense dry food like Nulo Freestyle, pairing it with wet food can help offset the low moisture content of kibble. You'll find plenty of high-protein options in our wet cat food collection, and supportive supplements in our cat health and wellness range.

The verdict: is Nulo worth buying in Canada?

Nulo is a genuinely high-quality, high-protein cat food — Freestyle for strictly grain-free feeding and MedalSeries for a more flexible, budget-friendlier option. The main drawback for Canadian owners is inconsistent availability. If you can find it and your cat thrives on it, it's a solid choice. But you're not missing out by choosing a comparable Canadian-made brand, and you'll get more reliable local supply and same-day GTA delivery.

Whatever you choose, transition gradually over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset, measure portions precisely because these dense foods add up fast, and check in with your veterinarian if your cat has any health conditions. Nutrition is one of the biggest levers you have for your cat's long-term health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ashario Pets sell Nulo cat food in North York?

As of 2026, Ashario Pets does not stock Nulo — it's not among our 79+ verified brands. However, we carry comparable high-protein cat food from Orijen, Acana, and Go! Solutions at our North York store (1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2), open 7 AM to 11 PM daily, with same-day GTA delivery available.

Is Nulo Freestyle or MedalSeries better for my cat?

Nulo Freestyle is fully grain-free and sits at a premium price tier, ideal for cats needing grain-free food. MedalSeries offers both grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes at a slightly gentler price. Both hit around 40% protein content. Choose based on your cat's tolerance to grains and your budget — and consult your veterinarian if your cat has sensitivities.

How much high-protein dry cat food should I feed daily?

A typical 4.5 kg (10 lb) indoor adult cat needs roughly 200–250 kcal per day. On a dense food at ~470 kcal per cup, that's just over half a cup daily. Because high-protein kibble is calorie-dense, measure precisely and adjust for activity level, age, and body condition. Overfeeding dense food is a common cause of weight gain.

Is grain-free cat food safer than food with grains?

Not necessarily. Grain-free cat food benefits cats with a diagnosed grain sensitivity, but for most cats a quality grain-inclusive food works equally well. What matters most is a named animal protein first, adequate taurine, and an AAFCO complete-and-balanced statement. Talk to your veterinarian before switching for a specific health reason.

What Canadian brands are most similar to Nulo?

Orijen and Acana (both made in Canada) are the closest matches to Nulo's high-protein, meat-first philosophy, often reaching 40%+ protein content. Go! Solutions is a strong choice for cats needing grain-free or limited ingredient formulas. All three are stocked at Ashario Pets — browse our cat food collection to compare.