Element Series Grain Free Classic Catch Dry Cat Food
Verified Aug 28, 2026
This is a high‑protein, grain‑free dry cat food made mostly from fish ingredients like haddock, trout, cod, whitefish meal, pollock meal, and menhaden fishmeal. It’s formulated for cats and kittens of all life stages, with added taurine, omega fatty acids, and probiotics to support overall nutrition and digestion. The carbohydrate sources are mainly lentils, chickpeas, pea starch, and sweet potatoes.
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Strong Choice
Nutritionally, this is a high‑protein, fish‑based dry food suitable for kittens through adult cats. It uses multiple whole fish and fish meals as primary protein sources and includes added taurine and probiotics, which are important in feline diets. The main carbs are legumes and potatoes, so it suits cats that do well on grain‑free formulas but may not be ideal if your cat has had issues with peas or chickpeas.
Computed from 4 of 4 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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At a Glance
Where these benefits come from
Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Very high protein at 42% from multiple fish sources, which suits the carnivorous needs of cats and growing kittens.
- Complete and balanced for all life stages, so it can be fed to kittens, adults, and breeding females under one recipe.
- Includes added taurine, omega‑3 and omega‑6 fatty acids, which help support heart, eye, skin, and coat health.
- Contains several probiotic and yeast fermentation products that may support a healthy digestive tract.
Considerations
- Relies heavily on legumes like lentils, pea starch, and garbanzo beans as carbohydrate sources, which some cats do not tolerate well.
- All the main animal proteins are various fish, so it is not a good fit for cats with fish allergies or sensitivities.
- At 465 kcal per cup, it is quite calorie‑dense, so portions need to be measured carefully, especially for indoor or overweight‑prone cats.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Haddock
Haddock is a lean white fish used in pet foods as a high-quality, highly digestible animal protein that supplies essential amino acids, B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium and modest amounts of omega‑3 fatty acids. It is palatable for dogs and cats and useful in low‑fat or limited‑ingredient diets, but products should be properly cooked and deboned to avoid parasites and bones, and owners should be mindful of fish allergies, potential contaminants (source-dependent), and not rely on haddock as the sole protein to prevent nutrient imbalances.
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02
Trout
Trout is used in pet foods as a high-quality animal protein and palatable fish ingredient that supplies essential amino acids, omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA), B vitamins and minerals to support skin, coat, immune and joint health in dogs and cats. It can serve as a novel protein for sensitive pets, but owners should ensure trout is responsibly sourced and properly cooked or processed to eliminate parasites and reduce contaminant risk, watch for fish allergies in some animals, and avoid feeding whole bones to prevent choking or gastrointestinal injury.
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03
Cod
Cod is a lean white fish used in pet foods as a high-quality, easily digestible animal protein that provides essential amino acids, B vitamins (notably B12), selenium and modest amounts of omega‑3 fatty acids for skin, coat and overall health. It is palatable and low in fat, but should be properly deboned and sourced; avoid feeding raw fish without appropriate processing (some raw fish can contain enzymes that affect thiamine) and monitor for fish allergies or contaminants such as mercury.
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04
Whitefish
Whitefish (such as pollock, cod, or haddock) is commonly used in pet foods as a lean animal protein source that provides high‑quality essential amino acids, good digestibility, and some omega‑3 fatty acids to support skin, coat and muscle maintenance. While generally palatable and useful for weight‑managed formulas, pet parents should be aware of potential fish allergies and the importance of responsible sourcing and processing to minimize contaminants; cats also require adequate dietary taurine, so whitefish should be part of a complete, balanced diet.
05
Pollock
Pollock is a lean white fish commonly used in pet foods as an easily digestible animal protein that boosts palatability and supplies essential amino acids. It provides some omega‑3 fatty acids and is generally low in contaminants compared with larger predatory fish, but can be an allergen for sensitive animals and must be properly processed and balanced (e.g., for taurine in cat diets) and preserved to prevent rancidity.
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Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Not sure how much of this to feed?
The right daily portion depends on your cat's weight, age, and activity level. Create a free account, add your cat, and get their daily calories and portion sizes.
Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
A family-made line of dry and wet dog and cat food produced in Perham, Minnesota, spanning the NutriSource, PureVita, Element Series, and Choice ranges. Built around its Good 4 Life supplement system and vertically integrated manufacturing.
Manufacturer
PSC is a nonprofit that Accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification. Tuffy's Pet Foods, Inc. is a PSC Accredited business. View profile
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
No recall is listed for NutriSource Element Series Grain Free Classic Catch Dry Cat Food.
Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Sep 2, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has NutriSource ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for NutriSource. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
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