In this comparison article for Nulo vs Eukanuba, we'll
highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly
compare Nulo and Eukanuba, 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 Eukanuba vs Nulo comparison, we've utilized
average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews,
visit our Nulo Review Page or
Eukanuba Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Eukanuba vs. Nulo
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.
Nulo Dog Food vs. Eukanuba Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
Nulo
Eukanuba
Crude Protein
35.8%
29.0%
Crude Fat
19.7%
16.0%
Crude Fiber
5.1%
4.6%
Wet/Canned Dog Food
Nulo
Eukanuba
Crude Protein
45.7%
42.4%
Crude Fat
32.4%
21.8%
Crude Fiber
5.5%
7.7%
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.
Eukanuba dry recipes contain 6.79% less protein than Nulo dry recipes. This difference in protein content is a notable difference between Nulo and Eukanuba. For wet dog foods, Nulo typically provides a little more protein (about 3.27% 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
According to our average data, Eukanuba 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 dog foods also provide more fat than Eukanuba wet foods.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet dog foods, Eukanuba typically provides a little more fiber (about 2.18% more).
Nulo Pet Food Ingredients vs. Eukanuba Pet Food Ingredients
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Nulo.
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Eukanuba.
Corn
Corn
Corn is a cereal grain which provides a modest amount of vitamins, minerals, and plant based protein. It also happens to be one of the most controversial ingredients in pet food.
Proponents of corn claim that corn is highly digestible and an excellent source of protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.
Opponents however believe that positive claims in regards to corn are either half-truths or completely false, we'll discuss a few of the opposing arguments.
In regards to digestibility, the claims of "highly digestible" are only true if corn is processed into a meal or flour and subsequently cooked. In regards to the protein contribution, we must note that corn is a plant based protein which does not contain all of the necessary amino acids required by pets to sustain life. Therefore substituting corn for meat is an unsuitable substitution and actually degrades the overall protein quality of the product.
Finally, we'll discuss the claims about vitamins and minerals in corn. Although corn does provide many vitamins and minerals, it not necessarily an exceptional ingredient in this regards. There are many other ingredients which are more complete and biologically appropriate. Therefore the usage of corn as the primary ingredient in pet food should certainly warrant further questioning.
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat is regarded as an inexpensive and low-quality filler in pet food. However, wheat does provide plant-based protein and makes pet food more affordable for consumers. It's important to note that plant based protein does not provide the same amino acid profile as meat based protein.
Caramel
Caramel
Caramel is a widely used natural food colorant. The concentrated form of caramel is typically listed as caramel color and has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.
Corn Meal
Corn Meal
Corn meal is another name for ground corn. Corn is a cereal grain which provides a modest amount of vitamins, minerals, and plant based protein. It also happens to be one of the most controversial ingredients in pet food.
Proponents of corn claim that corn is highly digestible and an excellent source of protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.
Opponents however believe that positive claims in regards to corn are either half-truths or completely false, we'll discuss a few of the opposing arguments.
In regards to digestibility, the claims of "highly digestible" are only true if corn is processed into a meal or flour and subsequently cooked. In regards to the protein contribution, we must note that corn is a plant based protein which does not contain all of the necessary amino acids required by pets to sustain life. Therefore substituting corn for meat is an unsuitable substitution and actually degrades the overall protein quality of the product.
Finally, we'll discuss the claims about vitamins and minerals in corn. Although corn does provide many vitamins and minerals, it not necessarily an exceptional ingredient in this regards. There are many other ingredients which are more complete and biologically appropriate. Therefore the usage of corn as the primary ingredient in pet food should certainly warrant further questioning.
Pork Plasma
Pork Plasma
Pork plasma is the colorless fluid part of a pig's blood. It may sound disgusting, but it's actually very nutritious for pets. Regardless of the nutritional aspects, consumers are shocked by this ingredient, which is why pork plasma is considered a controversial ingredient.
Brewers Rice
Brewers Rice
Brewer's rice is the small fragments of rice kernel that are separated from the larger kernels of milled rice. The fragments do not contain the same nutrition profile of the whole kernel and therefore brewer's rice is a lower quality grain. Brewer's rice is typically regarded as an inexpensive and low quality filler.
Caramel Color
Caramel Color
Caramel color is a concentrated form of caramel, a natural food colorant. Caramel color has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel color is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable Oil
Specific vegetable oils are typically positive ingredients; however, this ingredient does not specify which vegetable(s) were used to produce the oil.
Without this information, it is impossible for us to make any specific statements. With any fat source, it is important to know the omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio, a property which cannot be determined with this ingredient. Thus, we have marked vegetable oil as a controversial ingredient.
Beef By-Products
Beef By-Products
By-products are defined by AAFCO as the "non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals." Thus, beef by-products contain nearly all parts of the beef which are typically not consumed by humans. These parts include the liver, lung, spleen, kidney, stomach, blood, intestine, bone, etc.
Like other meat by-products, beef by-products are considered controversial, mainly because they are inexpensive ingredients which consumers have equated with slaughterhouse waste. However, manufactures and many experts claim that animal by-products are unjustly criticized. Proponents state that "named" by-products, such as beef by-products, supply many important nutrients required by pets.
Chicken By-Products
Chicken By-Products
By-products are defined by AAFCO as the "non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals." Thus, chicken by-products contain nearly all parts of the chicken which are typically not consumed by humans. These parts include the liver, lung, spleen, kidney, stomach, blood, intestine, bone, etc.
Like other meat by-products, chicken by-products are considered controversial, mainly because they are inexpensive ingredients which consumers have equated with slaughterhouse waste. However, manufactures and many experts claim that animal by-products are unjustly criticized. Proponents state that "named" by-products, such as chicken by-products, supply many important nutrients required by pets.
Chicken By-Product Meal
Chicken By-Product Meal
Chicken by-product meal is produced by cooking chicken by-products using a process called rendering. By-products are defined by AAFCO as the "non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals." Thus, chicken by-products contain nearly all parts of chickens which are typically not consumed by humans. These parts include the liver, lung, spleen, kidney, stomach, blood, intestine, bone, etc.
Like other meat by-products, chicken by-products are considered controversial, mainly because they are inexpensive ingredients which consumers have equated with slaughterhouse waste. However, manufactures and many experts claim that animal by-products are unjustly criticized. Proponents state that "named" by-products, such as chicken by-products, supply many important nutrients required by pets.
Product Safety: Recall History of Nulo & Eukanuba?
According to our records, Nulo has never been recalled.
Eukanuba has been recalled 2 times.
Aug. 14, 2013: Salmonella
July 30, 2010: Salmonella
Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?
Dry Dog Food
Nulo
Eukanuba
Per Pound
$12.04
$2.09
Per Calorie
$0.0063
$0.0013
Wet Dog Food
Nulo
Eukanuba
Per Pound
$3.98
$2.14
Per Calorie
$0.0072
$0.0049
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 Nulo or Eukanuba,
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 Nulo or Eukanuba will depend on your shopping habits.
Cost Analyzer Widget
Cost of Feeding Nulo
Cost Per Day:
Cost Per Year:
Cost of Feeding Eukanuba
Cost Per Day:
Cost Per Year:
Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Nulo
and Eukanuba. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.
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 Nulo Pet Foods
You can purchase Nulo pet foods from the following stores:
71 Recipes In-Stock Today
28 Recipes In-Stock Today
46 Recipes In-Stock Today
26 Recipes In-Stock Today
Where To Buy Eukanuba Pet Foods
You can purchase Eukanuba pet food products from these retailers:
34 Recipes In-Stock Today
28 Recipes In-Stock Today
25 Recipes In-Stock Today
17 Recipes In-Stock Today
Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product
Nulo
Eukanuba
Dry Dog Food
28 Recipes
28 Recipes
Wet Dog Food
19 Recipes
7 Recipes
Dog Treats
8 Treats
5 Treats
Dry Cat Food
12 Recipes
Wet Cat Food
24 Recipes
Cat Treats
Compare Pet Food Prices Across Multiple Pet Stores