18 cans compared

Nulo vs Purina Pro Plan

The typical Nulo can gets 5.1% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 6.9% for Purina Pro Plan. Nulo has 10 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Purina Pro Plan has 5 of 8. Below, every number is worked out the same way from each can’s label.

Nulo cansNuloPurina Pro Plan cansPurina Pro Plan
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Nulo vs Purina Pro Plan 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.

NuloPurina Pro Plan
Cans we compare108
Typical carbs, % of calories5.1%6.9%
Carb range2.3–8.5%1.8–19.1%
Recipes under 10% carbs10 of 105 of 8
Typical protein, % of calories40%50%
Typical fat, % of calories55%43%
Calories per ounce3430
Calories per can76–19772–113
Recipes with published phosphorus0 of 100 of 8
Typical phosphorus, mg per 100 kcal——
Confirmed for kittens10 of 102 of 8
Chicken-free recipes3 of 100 of 8
Fish-free recipes1 of 102 of 8
TexturesPâté, Shreds in brothPâté, Flaked, Chunks in gravy
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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
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Same texture, head to head

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

TextureNuloPurina Pro Plan
PâtéPaté Yellowfin Tuna & Shrimp Recipe2.3% carbs · 54% protein · 89 kcalChicken & Liver Entrée (Classic)1.8% carbs · 44% protein · 99 kcal
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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; Purina Pro Plan’s is Chicken & Liver Entrée (Classic) at 1.8%. Both brands have recipes under the 10% line (10 of 10 against 5 of 8), so the right recipe matters more than the brand.

For kidney concerns

Nulo doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Purina Pro Plan 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 Pro Plan has 2 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 Pro Plan 0 of 8. Fish-free: Nulo 1 of 10, Purina Pro Plan 2 of 8. Textures: Nulo makes pâté, shreds in broth; Purina Pro Plan makes pâté, flaked, chunks in gravy.

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Questions about Nulo vs Purina Pro Plan

Is Nulo or Purina Pro Plan lower in carbs?

The typical Nulo can gets 5.1% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 6.9% for Purina Pro Plan. Nulo has 10 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Purina Pro Plan has 5 of 8.

Which has more protein, Nulo or Purina Pro Plan?

Nulo. Its typical can gets 40% of calories from protein, against 50% for Purina Pro Plan. Nulo has 3 of 10 recipes over 50% protein calories; Purina Pro Plan has 4 of 8.

Which is more filling per ounce?

Purina Pro Plan. Its cans average 30 calories per ounce against 34 for Nulo, so a cat needs fewer ounces of it to get the same calories.

Do Nulo and Purina Pro Plan publish phosphorus?

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

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

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: Paté Yellowfin Tuna & Shrimp Recipe (2.3%) from Nulo or Chicken & Liver Entrée (Classic) (1.8%) from Purina Pro Plan. Change a diabetic cat’s food only with your vet.

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Other comparisons with Nulo or Purina Pro Plan