20 cans compared

Friskies vs Nulo

The typical Nulo can gets 5.1% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 16.3% for Friskies. Friskies has 0 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Nulo has 10 of 10. Below, every number is worked out the same way from each can’s label.

Friskies

Nulo

Friskies vs Nulo at a glance

Typical values are the middle recipe of each brand. Shares are of calories, so textures compare fairly. Marked cells show the better value where the gap is meaningful.

	Friskies	Nulo
Cans we compare	10	10
Typical carbs, % of calories	16.3%	5.1%
Carb range	12.9–19.4%	2.3–8.5%
Recipes under 10% carbs	0 of 10	10 of 10
Typical protein, % of calories	50%	40%
Typical fat, % of calories	34%	55%
Calories per ounce	24	34
Calories per can	124–180	76–197
Recipes with published phosphorus	0 of 10	0 of 10
Typical phosphorus, mg per 100 kcal	—	—
Confirmed for kittens	0 of 10	10 of 10
Chicken-free recipes	0 of 10	3 of 10
Fish-free recipes	2 of 10	1 of 10
Textures	Chunks in gravy, Pâté, Shreds in broth	Pâté, Shreds in broth

Lowest-carb can from each brand

The recipe with the smallest share of calories from carbohydrate on each side, leaving out toppers meant for supplemental feeding.

Put these two side by side

Friskies5.5 oz

Prime Filets With Ocean Whitefish & Tuna in Sauce

Chunks in gravy · 124 kcal per can

Carbs: 12.9%
Protein: 59%
Phosphorus: not listed

Protein 59%Fat 28%Carbs 13%

High protein

Nulo2.8 oz

Paté Yellowfin Tuna & Shrimp Recipe

Pâté · 89 kcal per can

Carbs: 2.3%
Protein: 54%
Phosphorus: not listed

Protein 54%Fat 44%Carbs 2%

Low carbHigh protein

Same texture, head to head

For each texture both brands make, the lowest-carb recipe from each.

Texture	Friskies	Nulo
Pâté	Salmon Dinner14.9% carbs · 36% protein · 178 kcal	Paté Yellowfin Tuna & Shrimp Recipe2.3% carbs · 54% protein · 89 kcal
Shreds in broth	Chicken & Salmon Dinner in Gravy16.6% carbs · 50% protein · 130 kcal	Shredded Chicken & Duck Recipe in Gravy5.1% carbs · 51% protein · 76 kcal

Which to choose, by what your cat needs

For a diabetic or overweight cat

Nulo is the lower-carb line overall. Its lowest-carb recipe is Paté Yellowfin Tuna & Shrimp Recipe at 2.3% of calories; Friskies’ is Prime Filets With Ocean Whitefish & Tuna in Sauce at 12.9%. Friskies has no recipes under the 10% line we compare, so for a diabetic cat Nulo gives you 10 to choose from and Friskies none.

For kidney concerns

Friskies doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Nulo doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Without published values neither brand can be checked for phosphorus from the label alone; ask the maker for a typical analysis.

For kittens

Friskies has 0 of 10 recipes whose label we could confirm covers growth or all life stages; Nulo has 10 of 10. A missing statement doesn’t mean a can is unsuitable, only that we couldn’t verify it.

For allergies and picky eaters

Chicken-free: Friskies 0 of 10, Nulo 3 of 10. Fish-free: Friskies 2 of 10, Nulo 1 of 10. Textures: Friskies makes chunks in gravy, pâté, shreds in broth; Nulo makes pâté, shreds in broth.

Questions about Friskies vs Nulo

Is Friskies or Nulo lower in carbs?

The typical Nulo can gets 5.1% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 16.3% for Friskies. Friskies has 0 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Nulo has 10 of 10.

Which has more protein, Friskies or Nulo?

Nulo. Its typical can gets 40% of calories from protein, against 50% for Friskies. Friskies has 2 of 10 recipes over 50% protein calories; Nulo has 3 of 10.

Which is more filling per ounce?

Friskies. Its cans average 24 calories per ounce against 34 for Nulo, so a cat needs fewer ounces of it to get the same calories.

Do Friskies and Nulo publish phosphorus?

Friskies doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Nulo doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked.

Which is better for a diabetic cat, Friskies or Nulo?

Carbs are what matter most, and Nulo has the lower-carb line with 10 of 10 recipes under 10%. The best single choice is a specific recipe, not a brand: Prime Filets With Ocean Whitefish & Tuna in Sauce (12.9%) from Friskies or Paté Yellowfin Tuna & Shrimp Recipe (2.3%) from Nulo. Change a diabetic cat’s food only with your vet.