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Nulo Signature Stews Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato in Broth Small Breed Wet Dog Food, 2.8-oz cup, case of 24
Nulo

Signature Stews Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato in Broth Small Breed Wet Dog Food, 2.8-oz cup, case of 24

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
wet $11.37/lb

Graded by The Sniff System

In plain English

Nulo Signature Stews Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato in Broth Small Breed Wet Dog Food is a wet food featuring chicken as its primary protein.

This wet food includes quality carbohydrate sources like sweet potato and pumpkin, which provide fermentable fiber. It also features quality fat sources, including named fats and marine oil for EPA and DHA.

A key concern is the low protein quality, as the chicken in this formula delivers limited bioavailable amino acids. It also contains menadione, a synthetic vitamin K3, and guar gum, an emulsifier with emerging microbiome data.

Good fit for small breed dogs needing quality carbs and fats. Less ideal if you prefer to avoid synthetic vitamin K or want higher protein quality.

Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.

Who this is for

The FDA's 2019 investigation update on diet-associated DCM included 13 reported cases in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, making them one of the top 15 most frequently reported breeds at that time  (FDA, 2019) . Strong fit for adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and similar moderately active toy breeds navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Chicken anchors position 1, with zero pulses in the top 15, plus added taurine at position 13.

Looking at this for adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniels or Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with diet-associated DCM concerns ? We are building dedicated pages for these combinations.

Auto-matched from this product's measurements (ingredients, life stage, calorie density) to a breed archetype. Not a substitute for vet input on your specific dog.

Research informing this analysis

Methodology

The Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.

  • FDA, 2022
    epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 4 claims
  • FDA, 2019
    cardiac · diet composition· cited in 3 claims
  • NRC, 2006
    nutrient bioavailability

Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.

Why this score

At 49/100, this formula lands mid-pack. The lift comes from carbohydrate quality, worth 15 points to the final number: Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber. Where it lost ground: protein quality, costing 20 points. Low protein quality. chicken delivers limited bioavailable amino acids. The path to B-tier is about 11 points; protein quality is the structural lever.

What lifted the score

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI

Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).

FQI

AAFCO formulation inferred from declared not stated. Verbatim statement not published by retailer.

ACF
What pulled it down

Low protein quality. chicken delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.

PQI

Contains menadione. Banned for human OTC use but tolerated at AAFCO-permitted levels in pet food. The only AAFCO-permitted vitamin K source..

CIP

Contains guar gum. Emerging microbiome data on emulsifiers; no canine clinical evidence. Minor penalty in canned food..

CIP
What sets this apart
  • Lowest protein quality in Nulo's lineup (5.2/27)
  • Top 3% for DMB protein in grain-free wet foods (64.7%)
  • Bottom 4% for overall Sniff Score in Nulo's lineup (49/100)

Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.

Similar dog foods worth considering

Three lenses on products with formulation profiles similar to this one.

Better match
Higher score, similar formulation
Nulo Gently Cooked Meals Variety Pack Human-Grade Wet Dog Food, 9-oz pouch, case of 5
Nulo

Nulo Gently Cooked Meals Variety Pack Human-Grade Wet Dog Food, 9-oz pouch, case of 5

59

Scores 10 points higher with a similar formulation profile.

Best value
Lower price, comparable score
Nutro Hearty Stew Tender Chicken, Carrot & Pea Stew Grain-Free Canned Adult Wet Dog Food, 12.5-oz, case of 12
Nutro

Nutro Hearty Stew Tender Chicken, Carrot & Pea Stew Grain-Free Canned Adult Wet Dog Food, 12.5-oz, case of 12

47

$4.47/lb vs your seed's $11.37/lb (61% less) at a comparable score.

Worth a look
Different brand, different protein
Nutro Grain-Free Simmered Beef & Potato Stew Cuts in Gravy Adult Wet Dog Food Trays, 3.5-oz, case of 24
Nutro

Nutro Grain-Free Simmered Beef & Potato Stew Cuts in Gravy Adult Wet Dog Food Trays, 3.5-oz, case of 24

53

Beef instead of chicken, 4 points higher, different brand.

Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.

Controversial ingredients · 1

  • menadione
    Synthetic vitamin K3. Banned in human supplements due to toxicity concerns at high doses. Permitted in pet food but premium brands use natural vitamin K alternatives.

Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 65% ⓘ
Protein
11%
min (as fed)
Fat
3%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1%
max (as fed)
Moisture
83%
max

Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 65%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

35 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    chicken

    Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

    Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.

  2. 2
    chicken broth

    Real broth, adds flavor and moisture. Negligible nutrition on its own but tells you the recipe leans on real meat.

    Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.

  3. 3
    sweet potato

    Complex carb with fiber and beta-carotene. Gentle on the stomach.

    Position 3: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.

  4. 4
    pumpkin

    Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.

    Position 4: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.

  5. 5
    coconut oil

    Saturated fat with medium-chain triglycerides. Mostly marketing in the doses kibble uses, but harmless.

    Position 5: secondary fat. Often where marine oils sit when present alongside a primary land-animal fat.

  6. 6
    tricalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus source. Same role as dicalcium phosphate, slightly different ratio.

  7. 7
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  8. 8
    xanthan gum

    Thickener common in wet food and gravies. Same emulsifier-microbiome conversation as guar gum, not a clear flag. See why →

    Position 8: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.

  9. 9
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  10. 10
    inulin

    Prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Same compound found in chicory root.

    Position 10: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.

  11. 11
    guar gum

    Thickener common in wet food. Emerging research on emulsifiers and the gut microbiome, but no smoking gun in dogs yet. See why →

    Position 11: trace fiber inclusion.

  12. 12
    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  13. 13
    taurine

    Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.

  14. 14
    salmon oil

    Pure omega-3s. The thing skin-and-coat formulas are usually built around.

    Position 14. Trace marine oil. Contributes some omega-3 but well below the level that drives EPA/DHA totals.

  15. 15
    magnesium sulfate

    Source of magnesium, a required mineral. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  16. 16
    parsley

    Real herb. Trace amount of vitamins K and C. The dose in kibble is small, mostly there for label appeal.

  17. 17
    iron amino acid chelate

    Iron bound to amino acids for better absorption. Premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

  18. 18
    zinc amino acid chelate

    Zinc bound to amino acids for better absorption. Same idea as zinc proteinate, the premium form of the mineral.

  19. 19
    vitamin e supplement

    Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.

  20. 20
    l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate

    A stable form of vitamin C used in pet food. Provides antioxidant support and survives processing better than plain ascorbic acid.

  21. 21
    thiamine mononitrate

    B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.

  22. 22
    vitamin a supplement

    Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.

  23. 23
    nicotinic acid
  24. 24
    manganese amino acid chelate

    Manganese bound to amino acids for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.

  25. 25
    copper amino acid chelate

    Copper bound to amino acids for better absorption. Premium form versus copper sulfate.

Showing first 25 of 35. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

24 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.