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Element Series Grain Free Wild Range Recipe Dry Dog Food
NutriSource

Element Series Grain Free Wild Range Recipe Dry Dog Food

Verified Aug 26, 2026

Dog · Dry All Life Stages All Breed Sizes

This is a high‑protein, grain‑free dry dog food for all life stages except large‑breed puppies, built around multiple animal proteins including chicken, pork, bison, beef meals, and egg. Most of the protein comes from animal sources, with added salmon oil and flaxseed for omegas and a rich mix of prebiotics and probiotics for gut support. It’s a very nutrient‑dense formula, so portions are smaller than many standard kibbles.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited No recalls

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Official product page
KibbleLab Score
8.2 out of 10

Strong Choice

This is a nutrient‑dense, high‑animal‑protein kibble that should suit many active dogs and those who do well on grain‑free diets. It offers diverse animal protein sources, added joint support, and an extensive probiotic package. It is not appropriate for large‑breed puppies and, like other grain‑free diets using legumes, should be chosen thoughtfully in breeds where heart health is a concern.

Nutritional profile 9.6
Ingredient composition 8.0
Adequacy substantiation 7.0
Health considerations 8.0

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.

Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber on a dry-matter basis, for the stated life stage and format
Adequacy substantiation Complete and balanced substantiation; feeding trials valued higher
Ingredient composition Screened for unnamed sources, artificial additives, and label protein inflation. Not a quality ranking.
Health considerations Pulse-heavy grain-free (DCM) pattern and recall history
Verified manufacturer evidence A small bonus when we can verify evidence addressing WSAVA selection criteria
9.0 - 10 Top Pick
8.0 - 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 - 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 - 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6.0 Review Carefully

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At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
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.
Digestive Health Probiotic Support Heart Care Cognitive Health
Suitable For
All Life Stages All Breed Sizes
Not Formulated For
What "not formulated for" means Life stages this food isn't certified complete and balanced for, based on its AAFCO statement.
Excludes Large Breed Growth
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We'll check every ingredient against your pet's sensitivities and avoidance list.

Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • High protein and fat levels are well suited to active dogs that need a calorie‑dense diet.
  • Most of the protein comes from multiple animal sources, including fresh meats and meat meals.
  • Includes added taurine and L‑carnitine, which can help support heart and overall metabolic health.
  • Contains glucosamine and chondroitin, plus a robust blend of prebiotics and probiotics for joint and gut support.

Considerations

  • Grain free and uses legumes like garbanzo beans and lentils, which have been linked to heart issues in some dogs when heavily featured in the diet.
  • Not formulated for growth of large‑breed puppies over 70 lb adult weight, so it should not be used for those dogs.
  • Multiple proteins such as chicken, pork, beef, bison, and egg mean it may not suit dogs with food allergies or on elimination diets.
  • Very calorie dense per cup, so portions must be carefully measured to avoid unwanted weight gain.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

chicken, pork, bison, chicken meal, garbanzo beans, red lentils, beef meal, pork meal, chicken fat (preserved with tocopherols and citric acid), pea starch, tapioca starch, pork plasma, porcine gelatin, dried egg product, sweet potato, natural chicken and turkey flavors, salmon oil (preserved with tocopherols), flax seed, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, selenium yeast, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, calcium iodate), miscanthus grass, yeast extract, potassium chloride, dried squash, dried pumpkin, choline chloride, salt, vitamins (vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), DL methionine, lactic acid, taurine, L-carnitine, rosemary extract, yeast culture, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried Bacillus licheniformis fermentation product, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, and dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract

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
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
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02
Pork
Pork is used in pet foods primarily as a high-quality animal protein and flavor enhancer, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins (especially B12 and niacin), iron and zinc, plus fat for calorie-dense energy; it can be suitable for both dogs and cats when balanced in a complete diet. Because pork can be relatively high in fat, it may be inappropriate for pets requiring low‑fat diets or those prone to pancreatitis, some animals may have sensitivities to pork, and raw or undercooked pork can carry parasites or pathogens so it should be properly processed or cooked.
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03
Bison
Bison is used as a high-quality animal protein in dog and cat foods, commonly included in limited-ingredient or novel-protein formulas for pets with food sensitivities. It supplies essential amino acids, iron and B vitamins and is typically leaner than beef—making it a lower-fat option that may require added fat or formulation adjustments for energy needs; as with all meats it should be part of a complete, balanced diet (especially for cats who need adequate taurine), be sourced and processed safely, and may still cause allergic reactions in some individual pets.
View ingredient
04
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
View ingredient
05
Chickpea
Chickpeas are a legume commonly used in pet foods as a plant-based protein, source of digestible carbohydrates, and supply of soluble and insoluble fiber that helps with stool quality and satiety. They can be a useful ingredient for dogs but are not a complete protein for obligate carnivores like cats and may cause gas or digestive upset if underprocessed; additionally, high inclusion of legumes in some grain‑free diets has been discussed as a potential factor in canine dilated cardiomyopathy so diets should be balanced and any concerns discussed with your veterinarian.
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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.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
36.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
18.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
5.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
10.00%
Low High
4113
kcal / Kg
490
kcal / Cup
High
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

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Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage All Life Stages
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Kibble
Food type Dry

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced Yes
AAFCO life stages All Life Stages
Exclusions Excludes Large Breed Growth
Substantiation Formulation
NutriSource(R) Element Series Wild Range Grain Free Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages except for growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult).

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.

Price tier $$$

Manufacturer

Company name Tuffy's Pet Foods, Inc.
Parent company KLN Family Brands
Founded 1964
Headquarters Perham, Minnesota, USA
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region Minnesota
Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited business seal
Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited

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 recalls on record

No recall is listed for NutriSource Element Series Grain Free Wild Range Recipe Dry Dog Food.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.2 /10 Grade A
Element Series Grain Free Wild Range Recipe Dry Dog Food
NutriSource · kibblelab.com

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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.

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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.