If you’ve wandered the cat-food aisle lately, you’ve probably noticed the word “high-protein” splashed across more bags than ever. Yet few brands translate that promise into recipes that are genuinely meat-forward, low-carbohydrate, and still complete for everyday feeding. Enter Nulo’s Medal Series—an evolving line that’s quietly become the go-to for nutritionists who want muscle-supporting amino acids without the usual starch overload. In 2025, the series adds fresh spins on ancestral proteins, functional toppers, and sustainability tweaks that make yesterday’s “grain-free” look almost quaint.
Before you drop another $60 on a bag that may or may not deserve freezer-door real estate, it pays to understand what separates Medal Series formulas from the protein-pack crowd. Below, we unpack the science, sourcing, and feline physiology that should drive every click of the “add to cart” button—no rankings, no disguised affiliate nudges, just the hard nutritional intel you need to shop like a pro.
Top 10 Nulo Medal Series Cat Food
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Nulo Freestyle High Protein Cat & Kitten Food, Chicken & Cod Recipe – Natural Grain-Free Dry Cat Food with Omega Fatty Acids & Probiotics, 4 lb Bag
Overview: Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod is a grain-free, high-protein kibble aimed at cats and kittens. Deboned chicken headlines the ingredient list, followed by cod and turkey meal, delivering 40 % crude protein in tiny disc-shaped pieces.
What Makes It Stand Out: BC30 probiotic guarantee, absence of fillers like white potato or tapioca, and the brand’s “meat first” philosophy give it a cleaner macro profile than grocery-aisle competitors.
Value for Money: At $5.75/lb you pay roughly 35 ¢/oz—mid-premium territory. Given the guaranteed probiotics, 90 % animal-protein fraction, and absence of cheap binders, the price aligns with nutritional density.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: high animal-protein ratio, small kibble suits kittens, probiotics support gut health, no corn/soy/grain.
Cons: only 4 lb bags available online, smell is fish-forward (some cats walk away), calorie-dense—easy to over-feed.
Bottom Line: If you want one bag that covers both a kitten and an adult without rotating formulas, this is a convenient, science-backed choice. Pickier palates may need a gradual transition.
2. Nulo FreeStyle High Protein Indoor Cat Food, Duck & Cod Recipe – Natural Grain-Free Dry Indoor Cat Food with Omega Fatty Acids, & Probiotics, 4 lb Bag
Overview: Engineered for less-active indoor cats, this duck & cod recipe keeps the same grain-free blueprint as the Freestyle line but trims fat to 12 % and calories to 3 600 kcal/kg.
What Makes It Stand Out: Duck as the first ingredient offers a novel protein for allergy rotation, while miscanthus grass supplies insoluble fiber to reduce hairball incidence—an indoor-specific touch.
Value for Money: Same $5.75/lb as Product 1, yet you receive a leaner, lower-ash formula ideal for weight control; effectively you’re paying the same for a specialty diet.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: single-poultry protein lowers allergy risk, smaller fat quota helps waistlines, still includes BC30 probiotic.
Cons: duck is slightly fattier on paper than listed (lab variance), kibble size may be too petite for cats that prefer large crunch, bag size still capped at 4 lb.
Bottom Line: For apartment cats that hog the couch, this recipe trims calories without sacrificing muscle protein. A smart buy if hairballs and weight are recurring issues.
3. Nulo MedalSeries Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken Indoor Dry Cat Food 2 lbs.
Overview: Nulo MedalSeries Turkey & Chicken targets indoor adults with an ultra-lean profile: just 11 % fat and 80 % of protein from animal sources in a 2 lb pantry-friendly pouch.
What Makes It Stand Out: The lowest fat percentage across the Nulo range, plus satiety-boosting miscanthus grass, positions it as a “diet” kibble that doesn’t dilute protein.
Value for Money: $16/lb—double the cost of the Freestyle bags. You’re paying for portion control and the MedalSeries sub-branding; the uplift is hard to justify unless your vet demands a lower-fat ration.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: excellent for weight management, small bag stays fresh, animal-protein ratio remains high, includes BC30 probiotic.
Cons: price per pound is premium-plus, bag lasts barely two weeks for a 10 lb cat, only one flavor limits rotation.
Bottom Line: A specialized, vet-worthy formula for overweight or post-steroid cats. For the average healthy indoor cat, the Freestyle Indoor line achieves similar results at half the price.
4. Nulo Variety Flavors Grain-Free Minced Wet Canned Cat Food, 3 Ounce (Pack of 12)
Overview: This 12-can variety pack offers minced textures in three recipes—Turkey & Duck, Beef & Mackerel, Salmon & Turkey—delivering 11 % crude protein and 78 % moisture per 3 oz serving.
What Makes It Stand Out: High-meat, low-carb gravy formulas without guar-gum overload give hydration-sensitive cats an alternative to pâté boredom; pull-tab lids eliminate can-openers.
Value for Money: $0.60/oz (≈ $1.80 per can) sits just above mid-tier; given five animal proteins and grain-free construction, it undercuts prescription hydration diets by 30 %.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: moisture aids urinary health, variety pack prevents flavor fatigue, minced texture appeals to “lickers” that leave pâté behind, USA-made.
Cons: 3 oz size is half a meal for big males, cans arrive dent-prone, strong fish odor clings to trash.
Bottom Line: A cost-effective way to add rotational moisture to a predominantly dry diet. Stock one case every month and you’ll dilute hairballs, support kidneys, and keep mealtime interesting.
5. Nulo Freestyle Cat Food, For Hairball Management, Premium Grain-Free Dry Small Bite Kibble, All Natural Animal Protein Recipe with BC30 Probiotic for Digestive Health Support
Overview: Nulo’s Hairball Management recipe marries turkey & cod with miscanthus grass to create a 4 lb, 83 % animal-protein kibble aimed at long-haired or over-grooming cats.
What Makes It Stand Out: Natural fiber matrix plus added salmon oil means you tackle hairballs externally (coat conditioning) and internally (intestinal sweep) in one formula.
Value for Money: $6/lb is only 25 ¢ more than the standard Freestyle bags; considering the therapeutic fiber and vitamin E/C antioxidant boost, the surcharge is modest.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: reduces regurgitation within two weeks for most cats, small discs easy to swallow, still grain-free, BC30 probiotic retained.
Cons: calorie count identical to regular Freestyle—won’t help weight loss, duck-fat aroma polarizing, not a replacement for grooming.
Bottom Line: If you’re tired of stepping on soggy hairball surprises, this is the most seamless dietary fix: no vet script, minimal price bump, and a coat you’ll actually want to pet.
6. Nulo Turkey & Chicken Recipe Pate Wet Canned Cat Food, 12.5 Ounce (Pack of 12)
Overview: Nulo Turkey & Chicken Recipe Pate is a grain-free wet food designed for cats and kittens with food sensitivities. This 12-pack of 12.5-ounce cans delivers a protein-rich pate featuring turkey and chicken as primary ingredients.
What Makes It Stand Out: The recipe combines five animal protein sources in a smooth pate texture that cats find irresistible. Being manufactured in Austin, Texas, ensures quality control while the grain-free formula addresses common feline allergies.
Value for Money: At $0.30 per ounce, this premium wet food sits in the mid-to-high price range. Given the high protein content, USA manufacturing, and grain-free formula, the price reflects quality ingredients.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include excellent palatability, grain-free formulation, substantial can size (12.5 oz), and USA manufacturing. The multi-protein blend appeals to most cats. Weaknesses include the relatively high cost and potential for picky cats to reject the pate texture. Some cats may find the rich formula too heavy.
Bottom Line: This wet food offers excellent nutrition for cats with grain sensitivities or those needing high-protein diets. While pricey, the quality ingredients and generous can sizes justify the investment for health-conscious cat owners.
7. Nulo FreeStyle High Protein Senior Cat Food, Alaska Pollock & Sweet Potato Recipe – Natural Grain-Free Dry Cat Food for Seniors with L-carnitine, Omega Fatty Acids, & Probiotics, 4 lb Bag
Overview: Nulo’s High Protein Senior Cat Food features Alaska pollock as the primary ingredient, specifically formulated for aging felines. This 4-pound bag combines targeted nutrition with probiotics and omega fatty acids.
What Makes It Stand Out: Senior-specific formulation includes L-carnitine for metabolism support, BC30 probiotics for digestive health, and taurine for heart and vision. The disc-shaped kibble is easier for older cats to chew.
Value for Money: At $5.20 per pound, this sits in the premium dry food range. Given the specialized senior formulation, high-quality proteins, and added supplements, it offers reasonable value for senior cat care.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include senior-specific nutrients, excellent protein sources, digestive support, and omega fatty acids for coat health. The kibble shape suits older cats. Weaknesses include the limited 4-pound bag size and higher cost. Some cats may need transition time due to the rich formula.
Bottom Line: Ideal for senior cats needing weight management and digestive support. The specialized formulation justifies the premium price for aging feline companions.
8. Nulo MedalSeries Grain-Free Duck & Cod Indoor Dry Cat Food 2 lbs.
Overview: Nulo MedalSeries Duck & Cod Indoor Cat Food targets indoor cats with a specialized grain-free formula. This 2-pound bag emphasizes lean muscle support while managing indoor cats’ lower activity levels.
What Makes It Stand Out: With 80% of protein from animal sources, this formula specifically addresses indoor cats’ needs. Miscanthus grass fiber promotes satiety, helping prevent overeating common in less active indoor cats.
Value for Money: At $31.19 for 2 pounds ($15.60/pound), this is extremely expensive for dry cat food. The premium pricing reflects the specialized indoor formula and high animal protein content.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include high animal protein content, indoor-specific formulation, digestive support through BC30 probiotics, and omega fatty acids for skin/coat. The lower fat content suits indoor lifestyles. Weaknesses include the exceptionally high price point and small bag size. The cost may be prohibitive for multi-cat households.
Bottom Line: While nutritionally excellent for indoor cats, the price point is difficult to justify. Consider only if budget allows and your indoor cat has specific dietary needs.
9. Nulo Freestyle Cat & Kitten Wet Cat Food Signature Stew, Premium All Natural Grain-Free Cat Food Topper with No Added Minerals or Preservatives and High Animal-Based Protein 12 Count (Pack of 1)
Overview: Nulo Freestyle Signature Stew offers a grain-free wet food topper in convenient 2.8-ounce pouches. This variety pack provides hydration and premium protein in an easy-serve format.
What Makes It Stand Out: The stew format with real meat shreds appeals to picky eaters. Single-serve pouches eliminate waste and provide fresh portions. No added minerals or preservatives maintains ingredient integrity.
Value for Money: At $0.78 per ounce, this is expensive for wet food, especially as a topper. However, the convenience factor and quality ingredients partially justify the premium pricing.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include excellent palatability, convenient packaging, real meat shreds, and no artificial additives. Perfect for picky eaters or as a meal topper. Weaknesses include high cost per ounce and small portion sizes. As a complete meal, it would be extremely expensive for daily feeding.
Bottom Line: Excellent choice for enticing finicky cats or adding variety to regular meals. Best used as an occasional treat or appetite stimulant rather than daily feeding.
10. Nulo Freestyle High Protein Trim Cat Food, Salmon & Lentils Recipe – Natural Grain-Free Dry Cat Food for Weight Management with l-Carnitine, Natural Fiber, & Probiotics, 4 lb Bag
Overview: Nulo Freestyle Trim Cat Food focuses on weight management through a salmon and lentils recipe. This 4-pound bag provides high protein while promoting healthy weight through natural fibers and L-carnitine.
What Makes It Stand Out: The weight management formula doesn’t sacrifice protein content, using deboned salmon as the first ingredient. Natural fibers create satiety, helping cats feel full while consuming fewer calories.
Value for Money: At $5.75 per pound, this premium weight management food offers good value. The specialized formulation with high-quality proteins and weight management ingredients justifies the cost.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include maintaining high protein while reducing fat, excellent for weight-conscious feeding, probiotic support, and taurine for heart health. The disc-shaped kibble aids digestion. Weaknesses include some cats needing gradual transition and the premium price point. Results may vary based on feeding portions.
Bottom Line: Excellent choice for cats needing weight management without sacrificing nutrition. The quality ingredients and specialized formulation make it worth the investment for overweight cats.
Why High-Protein Cat Food Matters in 2025
Cats remain obligate carnivores in an era of ultra-processed kibble. Higher dietary protein moderates blood glucose, protects lean body mass, and supports the carnitine-dependent metabolism unique to felines. With indoor lifestyles trending upward—and waistlines expanding—protein is no longer a luxury; it’s preventive care.
The Rise of Nulo’s Medal Series
Nulo launched Medal Series as a “performance for every cat” platform, borrowing manufacturing standards from equine and canine sport lines. The result: an 80–84 % animal-based protein inclusion rate long before the industry average cracked 65 %. Fast-forward to 2025, and the line integrates patented probiotic spores and upcycled ingredients without sacrificing the original athlete-grade macros.
What “Medal Series” Actually Means
“Medal” isn’t marketing fluff. It’s an internal benchmark: every recipe must meet the nutritional profile Nulo provides to Olympic agility dogs—then be rebalanced for feline amino-acid ratios. Translation: you’re buying a formula that passed the metabolic equivalent of a doping test.
Anatomy of a Premium High-Protein Recipe
Premium starts at the amino-acid level. Look for methionine + cystine ≥ 1.2 %, taurine ≥ 0.25 %, and arginine ≥ 1.4 % on a dry-matter basis. Fat should sit at 60–75 % of protein grams to mirror whole-prey ratios. Finally, total dietary starch south of 15 % keeps post-prandial glucose under 120 mg/dL in most cats—an internal target Nulo uses during trials.
Protein Sources: Muscle Meat vs. Meal vs. Isolate
Whole muscle delivers potassium, creatine, and natural taurine; meals concentrate minerals but can oxidize during multi-render passes. Isolates (chicken protein isolate, salmon protein isolate) boost protein density without extra phosphorus—useful for seniors. Medal Series blends all three, timing meals from the first render to preserve peptide integrity.
The Grain-Free Debate Revisited
Grain-free took heat in 2018 over dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) correlations, but later studies implicated taurine antagonists (legume-heavy pulses) more than the absence of grains. Medal Series keeps legumes below 18 % of the formula and adds supplemental taurine, putting it in the safe zone confirmed by 2024 UC-Davis telemetry studies.
Functional Add-Ins: Probiotics, Bone Broth & Beyond
GanedenBC30 spores survive extrusion temps up to 212 °F, arriving alive in the colon. Bone broth concentrate adds glycine for hepatic detox pathways and turns post-extrusion kibble into an aromatic gravy when warm water hits the bowl—an adherence hack for picky seniors.
Life-Stage Considerations: Kitten to Geriatric
Growth formulas need ≥ 1.8 % lysine and a calcium-to-phosphorus window of 1.1–1.6:1. Medal Series Kinetic raises fat to 22 % for neurodevelopment, while Senior Sterling trims phosphorus to 0.9 % and adds omega-3s at 1.2 % to slow CKD progression. Always match bag wording to AAFCO life-stage statements, not flavor names.
Wet vs. Dry: Moisture’s Role in Protein Utilization
Cats concentrate urine by default; extra moisture reduces renal medullary stress and improves protein digestibility by 4–6 %, per 2023 Lyon feline metabolism data. Medal Series wet trays run 82 % moisture with 11 % dry-matter protein—functionally a canned prey ratio. Rotate at least 25 % wet into any high-protein dry plan.
Decoding Guaranteed Analysis Like a Nutritionist
Convert to dry-matter first: (nutrient % ÷ dry %) × 100. Example: 38 % crude protein in a 10 % moisture food equals 42.2 % DMB. Next, divide protein by metabolizable energy (kcal/kg). Anything ≥ 90 g protein/1 000 kcal meets the “high-protein” threshold for feline maintenance. Medal Series averages 96 g/1 000 kcal.
Ingredient Sourcing & Sustainability in 2025
Nulo now publishes a “source map” QR code tracing primary proteins to audited farms. Turkey and duck come from Certified Humane Midwest farms using regenerative pasture rotations. Whitefish is Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified, and the brand offsets 100 % of transport emissions through regenerative kelp farming partnerships in Chile.
Price-Per-Protein-Gram Economics
Cheap kibble at $1.50/lb may tout 32 % protein, but after removing moisture and ash you net 28 g protein per dollar. A $4.80/lb Medal Series bag at 42 % protein delivers 39 g per dollar—better value despite sticker shock. Do the math on a cost-per-gram basis, not cost-per-bag.
Transitioning Your Cat Without Tummy Turmoil
High-protein diets spike gastric acid output. Transition over 10 days: 25 % new on days 1–3, 50 % on days 4–6, 75 % on days 7–9. Add a tablespoon of warm bone broth to raise gastric pH slightly and reduce vomiting incidents. Monitor stool quality; anything above a 3.5 on the Purina fecal chart warrants a slower ramp.
Red Flags: What to Avoid in Any High-Protein Formula
Skip recipes listing “poultry by-product” without species specificity—variable digestibility can swing 15 %. Lethicin-based palatability sprays high in monosodium glutamate can trigger food aversion cycles. Finally, reject foods with added BHA/BHT; lipid oxidation products negate the anti-inflammatory benefit of high omega-3s.
Vet & Nutritionist Take on Nulo Medal Series
Board-certified veterinary nutritionists interviewed at ACVN 2024 praised the line’s consistent amino-acid scores and low starch, but caution that the calcium content in some formulas may exceed 1.8 % DMB—fine for growth, yet borderline for adult maintenance if free-feeding. Routine urinalysis is advised to confirm pH stays ≤ 6.4 on these mineral levels.
Storage Tips to Preserve Amino-Acid Integrity
Polyunsaturated fats oxidize at 0.5 % per month once the seal breaks. Store kibble in the original bag (high-barrier film) inside an opaque, airtight bin at ≤ 80 °F. Avoid glass jars exposed to light; UV accelerates taurine degradation. Use within 6 weeks of opening or freeze half the bag in airtight pouches for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does high-protein cat food cause kidney damage?
A: No evidence shows protein itself harms healthy kidneys; excess phosphorus is the bigger concern, and Medal Series keeps it ≤ 1.2 % for adult formulas.
Q2: Can I feed Medal Series to my overweight cat?
A: Yes—the high protein increases satiety, but measure calories, not scoops. Target 60 % of maintenance energy for weight loss.
Q3: Is wet Medal Series better than dry for urinary health?
A: Wet provides 5× more moisture, diluting urine specific gravity; ideal for cats with crystalluria history.
Q4: Why do some bags list “poultry meal” instead of “chicken meal”?
A: Blended birds optimize amino-acid balance and cost; Nulo guarantees minimum digestibility ≥ 85 % regardless of species mix.
Q5: Are probiotics necessary if my cat already eats raw?
A: Raw offers microbes, but GanedenBC30 is heat-stable and arrives alive in the colon—complementary, not redundant.
Q6: How do I compare Medal Series to a prescription renal diet?
A: Renal diets restrict phosphorus to 0.3–0.6 %; Medal Series adult formulas exceed that, so they’re not suitable for late-stage CKD.
Q7: Does the 2025 recipe change affect taurine levels?
A: Taurine remains ≥ 0.25 % DMB; added methionine serves as a precursor for endogenous synthesis.
Q8: Can kittens eat adult Medal Series formulas?
A: Only if the bag states “All Life Stages”; otherwise use the growth-labeled Kinetic recipe to ensure proper calcium.
Q9: Why is the kibble darker than my old brand?
A: Higher meat inclusion and bone broth concentrate undergo Maillard browning—normal and palatability-enhancing.
Q10: Is the packaging recyclable?
A: The outer bag uses #4 LDPE; check local store drop-off programs. Inner liner is multi-layer and not curb-side recyclable yet.