18 cans compared

Nulo vs Purina ONE

Both brands land close on carbs: 5.1% of calories for the typical Nulo can and 5.6% for Purina ONE. Nulo has 10 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Purina ONE has 5 of 8. Below, every number is worked out the same way from each can’s label.

Nulo

Purina ONE

Nulo vs Purina ONE 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.

	Nulo	Purina ONE
Cans we compare	10	8
Typical carbs, % of calories	5.1%	5.6%
Carb range	2.3–8.5%	3.9–13.6%
Recipes under 10% carbs	10 of 10	5 of 8
Typical protein, % of calories	40%	45%
Typical fat, % of calories	55%	50%
Calories per ounce	34	31
Calories per can	76–197	70–105
Recipes with published phosphorus	0 of 10	0 of 8
Typical phosphorus, mg per 100 kcal	—	—
Confirmed for kittens	10 of 10	7 of 8
Chicken-free recipes	3 of 10	0 of 8
Fish-free recipes	1 of 10	0 of 8
Textures	Pâté, Shreds in broth	Pâté, Flaked

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

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

Purina ONE3 oz

Chicken & Salmon Recipe

Pâté · 105 kcal per can

Carbs: 3.9%
Protein: 39%
Phosphorus: not listed

Protein 39%Fat 57%Carbs 4%

Low carb

Same texture, head to head

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

Texture	Nulo	Purina ONE
Pâté	Paté Yellowfin Tuna & Shrimp Recipe2.3% carbs · 54% protein · 89 kcal	Chicken & Salmon Recipe3.9% carbs · 39% protein · 105 kcal

Which to choose, by what your cat needs

For a diabetic or overweight cat

Neither brand has a clear edge on carbs. Pick by recipe: Nulo’s lowest is Paté Yellowfin Tuna & Shrimp Recipe (2.3%), Purina ONE’s is Chicken & Salmon Recipe (3.9%).

For kidney concerns

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

Nulo has 10 of 10 recipes whose label we could confirm covers growth or all life stages; Purina ONE has 7 of 8. A missing statement doesn’t mean a can is unsuitable, only that we couldn’t verify it.

For allergies and picky eaters

Chicken-free: Nulo 3 of 10, Purina ONE 0 of 8. Fish-free: Nulo 1 of 10, Purina ONE 0 of 8. Textures: Nulo makes pâté, shreds in broth; Purina ONE makes pâté, flaked.

Questions about Nulo vs Purina ONE

Is Nulo or Purina ONE lower in carbs?

Both brands land close on carbs: 5.1% of calories for the typical Nulo can and 5.6% for Purina ONE. Nulo has 10 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Purina ONE has 5 of 8.

Which has more protein, Nulo or Purina ONE?

Nulo. Its typical can gets 40% of calories from protein, against 45% for Purina ONE. Nulo has 3 of 10 recipes over 50% protein calories; Purina ONE has 3 of 8.

Which is more filling per ounce?

Purina ONE. Its cans average 31 calories per ounce against 34 for Nulo, so a cat needs fewer ounces of it to get the same calories.

Do Nulo and Purina ONE publish phosphorus?

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

Which is better for a diabetic cat, Nulo or Purina ONE?

Carbs are what matter most, and the two brands are close. The best single choice is a specific recipe, not a brand: Paté Yellowfin Tuna & Shrimp Recipe (2.3%) from Nulo or Chicken & Salmon Recipe (3.9%) from Purina ONE. Change a diabetic cat’s food only with your vet.