Element Series Open Waters Recipe Dry Dog Food
Verified Aug 24, 2026
This is a high‑protein, fish‑forward dry food for dogs of all ages, including large-breed puppies. Haddock, trout, duck, salmon, and multiple fish meals provide most of the protein, while ancient grains like millet, buckwheat, and spelt supply carbohydrates and fiber. It also includes added omega-3 and omega-6 fats, joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin, taurine, and probiotics to support overall health and digestion.
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Strong Choice
A nutrient-dense, fish-based dry food that is appropriate for puppies, adults, seniors, and even large-breed puppies. It offers a strong animal-protein focus, well-balanced fat levels, and several thoughtful additions such as omega fatty acids, taurine, and probiotics. This formula can work well for many dogs, especially those who do well on higher-protein, grain-inclusive diets and do not have fish, egg, or duck allergies.
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
- Animal proteins from multiple fish sources and duck make up the majority of the protein, which supports good amino acid quality.
- Formulated to AAFCO standards for all life stages, including large-breed growth, so it can be used from puppy through adulthood.
- Includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, taurine, L-carnitine, glucosamine, and chondroitin for added heart, joint, and overall support.
- Contains prebiotics and multiple probiotic strains, which can help support a healthy gut and stool quality.
Considerations
- Contains several fish proteins, duck, and egg, so it is not a good choice for dogs with allergies to those ingredients.
- The relatively high protein and calorie density may be too rich for some dogs with lower activity levels or sensitive stomachs.
- Multiple different animal proteins make this less suitable as a true limited-ingredient or elimination diet option.
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
Duck
Duck is used in pet food primarily as a flavorful animal protein and fat source, commonly included in limited-ingredient or novel-protein formulas for dogs and cats. It supplies high-quality amino acids and energy and can help pets with sensitivities to common proteins, but it is relatively rich in fat (so may be unsuitable for low‑fat or pancreatitis-prone animals), can still trigger allergies in some pets, and requires proper cooking/processing and handling to avoid bacterial contamination.
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04
Salmon
Salmon is commonly used as a high-quality animal protein and rich source of omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) in dog and cat foods, supporting skin and coat condition, joint and cognitive health, and overall muscle maintenance. While very nutritious, salmon can be an allergen for some pets and raw salmon may pose risks from parasites, thiaminase-related thiamine loss, and region-specific pathogens (e.g., salmon poisoning); owners should avoid feeding uncooked bones and consider sourcing to minimize contaminant and sustainability concerns.
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05
Salmon
Salmon is commonly used as a high-quality animal protein and rich source of omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) in dog and cat foods, supporting skin and coat condition, joint and cognitive health, and overall muscle maintenance. While very nutritious, salmon can be an allergen for some pets and raw salmon may pose risks from parasites, thiaminase-related thiamine loss, and region-specific pathogens (e.g., salmon poisoning); owners should avoid feeding uncooked bones and consider sourcing to minimize contaminant and sustainability concerns.
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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 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 Open Waters 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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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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