Element Series Grain Free Upland Stream Recipe Dry Dog Food
Verified Aug 26, 2026
This is a high‑protein, grain‑free dry dog food featuring quail, rabbit, and trout as key animal protein sources. It’s designed for dogs who do well on rich, meat‑focused diets and includes added omega fatty acids, joint nutrients, and probiotics to support overall health. The formula is complete and balanced for all life stages except large‑breed puppies.
Jump to ingredientsAffiliate link · may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Solid Option
This is a very high‑protein, meat‑forward kibble that should suit active adult dogs and many smaller‑breed puppies who tolerate grain‑free diets well. It provides a diverse mix of animal proteins, added joint support, and a robust blend of pre‑ and probiotics. Because it is grain‑free and uses lentils, chickpeas, and pea starch, it may not be the best choice for dogs from breeds with known heart concerns where legume‑heavy diets are a worry.
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.
KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
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.What "not formulated for" means
Life stages this food isn't certified complete and balanced for, based on its AAFCO statement.KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Very high protein at 38% with multiple animal sources like quail, rabbit, trout, turkey, pork, and fish meals.
- Balanced omega‑3 and omega‑6 fats plus added taurine and L‑carnitine support heart, skin, and overall health.
- Includes glucosamine and chondroitin, which can help support joint health in active or aging dogs.
- Fortified with prebiotics and multiple probiotic strains to support digestion and gut health, and fully AAFCO complete for all life stages except large‑breed growth.
Considerations
- Grain‑free and uses lentils, chickpeas, and pea starch, which some cardiologists are cautious about for certain dogs due to possible links with heart disease.
- Not appropriate for large‑breed puppies, as it is not formulated for their specific growth needs.
- Contains several potential allergens such as chicken fat, turkey, fish, and pork, so it may not suit dogs with multiple food sensitivities.
- Calorie density is quite high per cup, so portions need to be measured carefully to prevent weight gain in less active dogs.
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
Quail
Quail is used in pet foods as a novel or alternative animal protein—available as meat, whole-ground bird, or meal—to provide high-quality, bioavailable protein and essential amino acids for both dogs and cats. It supplies B vitamins and minerals like iron, is often featured in limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic formulas, but pets can still develop sensitivities, raw or cooked bones may present hazards, and diets relying heavily on quail should be complete or balanced by formulation or supplementation.
View ingredient
02
Rabbit
Rabbit is used in pet foods as a novel or alternative animal protein source for dogs and cats, prized for lean, highly digestible muscle protein and often selected for pets with food sensitivities. It supplies essential amino acids and low fat, but owners should choose complete, balanced formulations (cats especially need adequate taurine), be mindful of mineral imbalances if bone-in/whole‑prey ingredients are included, and avoid improperly handled raw rabbit due to food‑safety risks.
View ingredient
03
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.
View ingredient
04
Lentil
Lentils are a plant-based source of protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber and micronutrients (notably folate and iron) commonly used in pet foods to add bulk, promote satiety and help moderate post-meal blood sugar. They can be a useful ingredient for dogs when properly processed and balanced with animal-derived amino acids, but lentil protein is less digestible and incomplete for obligate carnivores like cats; high legume inclusion can also increase gas or digestive upset and has been discussed in the context of diet-associated heart concerns in dogs, so lentils should be used in nutritionally complete, vetted formulations.
View ingredient
05
Pork Protein
Pork protein is used in dog and cat foods as an animal-based protein source that supplies essential amino acids and improves palatability, commonly included as fresh, rendered, or hydrolyzed pork in commercial formulations. It is generally digestible and supports muscle maintenance, but can be higher in fat and sodium, may cause food sensitivities in some pets, and must be properly processed (not fed raw); for cats, complete diets should be formulated to ensure adequate taurine levels since pork alone may not provide enough.
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 dog's weight, age, and activity level. Create a free account, add your dog, 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 Upland Stream Recipe Dry Dog Food.
Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026
Sign up for the full picture
Ingredient Check
We'll check every ingredient against your pet's profile.
Feeding Calculator
Personalized portion sizes based on your pet's weight, age, and activity level.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare this food with alternatives to find the best fit.
Similar Foods
Post your dog's report card and challenge friends to check their food.
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.
Continue with Google
Continue with Facebook