
Iams vs. Nulo
In this comparison article for Iams vs Nulo, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Iams and Nulo, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.
Throughout this Nulo vs Iams comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Iams Review Page or Nulo Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Nulo vs. Iams
According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.
All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.
Iams Dog Food vs. Nulo Dog Food
Dry Dog Food | Iams | Nulo |
Crude Protein | 27.6% | 36.9% |
Crude Fat | 14.9% | 20.3% |
Crude Fiber | 5.1% | 5.2% |
Wet/Canned Dog Food | Iams | Nulo |
Crude Protein | 42.0% | 45.7% |
Crude Fat | 24.0% | 32.4% |
Crude Fiber | 5.8% | 5.5% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food
Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.
Nulo dry dog foods clearly provides more protein than Iams. In fact, the difference between the protein content is roughly 9.22%, which is a significant amount. For wet dog foods, Nulo typically provides a little more protein (about 3.72% more).
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Dietary fats serves a multitude of roles in the proper development and function of our canine companions. Here are some of the benefits (not exhaustive):
- Help produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among other critical functions.
- Aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
- Improve skin and coat health
- Improve the palatially of your dog's food
Iams dry recipes contain 5.35% less fat than Nulo dry recipes. This difference in fat content is a notable difference between Nulo and Iams. In addition, Nulo wet dog foods also provide more fat than Iams wet foods.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Iams and Nulo also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Iams Cat Food vs. Nulo Cat Food
Dry Cat Food | Iams | Nulo |
Crude Protein | 36.0% | 44.3% |
Crude Fat | 16.8% | 19.0% |
Crude Fiber | 4.3% | 5.1% |
Wet/Canned Cat Food | Iams | Nulo |
Crude Protein | 50.5% | 52.8% |
Crude Fat | 19.0% | 25.9% |
Crude Fiber | 14.7% | 4.5% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food
Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.
On average, Nulo dry cat food recipes contain 8.32% more protein than Iams recipes. Clearly, there is a significant difference between the protein content of Iams and Nulo. For wet cat foods, Nulo typically provides a little more protein (about 2.23% more).
Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food
There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):
- Aid in the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
- Improve the health of skin/coat
- Slow the growth of yeast infections
- Slow the development and spread of certain type of cancers.
- Maintain healthy blood pressure
According to our average data, Iams typically provides less fat than Nulo. However, this difference is relatively small and doesn't represent a significant difference between the two brands. In addition, Nulo wet cat foods also provide more fat than Iams wet foods.
As you can see, Iams and Nulo guarantee a similar amount of crude fiber. For wet cat foods, Iams provides significantly more fiber (about 10.21% more).
Iams Pet Food Ingredients vs. Nulo Pet Food Ingredients
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Iams.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Nulo.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Iams.
Product Safety: Recall History of Iams & Nulo?
Iams has been recalled 2 times.
- Aug. 14, 2013: Salmonella
- July 30, 2010: Salmonella
According to our records, Nulo has never been recalled.
Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?
Dry Dog Food | Iams | Nulo |
Per Pound | $1.33 | $15.60 |
Per Calorie | $0.0008 | $0.0081 |
Dry Cat Food | Iams | Nulo |
Per Pound | $1.78 | $3.75 |
Per Calorie | $0.0011 | $0.0023 |
Wet Dog Food | Iams | Nulo |
Per Pound | $1.72 | $3.98 |
Per Calorie | $0.0035 | $0.0072 |
Wet Cat Food | Iams | Nulo |
Per Pound | $5.72 | $6.74 |
Per Calorie | $0.0110 | $0.0146 |
The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.
If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Iams or Nulo, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.
Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Iams or Nulo will depend on your shopping habits.
Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Iams and Nulo. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.
- $10 Off + Free Shipping Orders $60+ @ PetFlow (Use Code SAVENOW)
- 10% Off Treats @ PetFlow (Use Code HOT10)
- 20% Off The Entire Site @ OnlyNaturalPet (Use Code AFPAWDIET)
Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!
Where To Buy Iams Pet Foods
You can purchase Iams pet foods from the following stores:




Where To Buy Nulo Pet Foods
You can purchase Nulo pet food products from these retailers:




Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product | Iams | Nulo |
Dry Dog Food | 28 Recipes | 17 Recipes |
Wet Dog Food | 10 Recipes | 19 Recipes |
Dog Treats | 8 Treats | |
Dry Cat Food | 12 Recipes | 11 Recipes |
Wet Cat Food | 31 Recipes | 24 Recipes |
Cat Treats | 2 Treats |