20 cans compared

Nulo vs Royal Canin

The typical Nulo can gets 5.1% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 14.6% for Royal Canin. Nulo has 10 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Royal Canin has 2 of 10. Below, every number is worked out the same way from each can’s label.

Nulo

Royal Canin

Nulo vs Royal Canin 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	Royal Canin
Cans we compare	10	10
Typical carbs, % of calories	5.1%	14.6%
Carb range	2.3–8.5%	8.8–24.1%
Recipes under 10% carbs	10 of 10	2 of 10
Typical protein, % of calories	40%	53%
Typical fat, % of calories	55%	29%
Calories per ounce	34	22
Calories per can	76–197	55–78
Recipes with published phosphorus	0 of 10	0 of 10
Typical phosphorus, mg per 100 kcal	—	—
Confirmed for kittens	10 of 10	2 of 10
Chicken-free recipes	3 of 10	0 of 10
Fish-free recipes	1 of 10	2 of 10
Textures	Pâté, Shreds in broth	Pâté, Chunks in gravy

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

Royal Canin3 oz

Kitten Loaf in Sauce

Pâté · 78 kcal per can

Carbs: 8.8%
Protein: 53%
Phosphorus: not listed

Protein 53%Fat 38%Carbs 9%

Low carbHigh protein

Same texture, head to head

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

Texture	Nulo	Royal Canin
Pâté	Paté Yellowfin Tuna & Shrimp Recipe2.3% carbs · 54% protein · 89 kcal	Kitten Loaf in Sauce8.8% carbs · 53% protein · 78 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; Royal Canin’s is Kitten Loaf in Sauce at 8.8%. Both brands have recipes under the 10% line (10 of 10 against 2 of 10), so the right recipe matters more than the brand.

For kidney concerns

Nulo doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Royal Canin 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; Royal Canin has 2 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: Nulo 3 of 10, Royal Canin 0 of 10. Fish-free: Nulo 1 of 10, Royal Canin 2 of 10. Textures: Nulo makes pâté, shreds in broth; Royal Canin makes pâté, chunks in gravy.

Questions about Nulo vs Royal Canin

Is Nulo or Royal Canin lower in carbs?

The typical Nulo can gets 5.1% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 14.6% for Royal Canin. Nulo has 10 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Royal Canin has 2 of 10.

Which has more protein, Nulo or Royal Canin?

Nulo. Its typical can gets 40% of calories from protein, against 53% for Royal Canin. Nulo has 3 of 10 recipes over 50% protein calories; Royal Canin has 8 of 10.

Which is more filling per ounce?

Royal Canin. Its cans average 22 calories per ounce against 34 for Nulo, so a cat needs fewer ounces of it to get the same calories.

Do Nulo and Royal Canin publish phosphorus?

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

Which is better for a diabetic cat, Nulo or Royal Canin?

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 Kitten Loaf in Sauce (8.8%) from Royal Canin. Change a diabetic cat’s food only with your vet.