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Freeze-Dried Chicken & Duck Recipe Dog Food
NutriSource

Freeze-Dried Chicken & Duck Recipe Dog Food

Verified Aug 29, 2026

Dog · Dry All Life Stages All Breed Sizes

This is a high-protein, freeze-dried dog food featuring chicken, chicken liver, duck, and eggs as the main animal ingredients, with fruits and vegetables like apples, butternut squash, and sweet potato. It’s formulated as a complete and balanced diet for all life stages, including large-breed puppies, and can be fed as a full meal, topper, or treat. Added probiotics, postbiotics, and omega-rich ingredients are aimed at supporting digestion and overall nutrition.

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

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Official product page
KibbleLab Score
8.3 out of 10

Strong Choice

This is a nutrient-dense, high-protein freeze-dried option that works as a complete diet, topper, or treat for dogs of all ages, including large-breed puppies. It relies heavily on animal protein sources and includes added probiotics, postbiotics, and omega-rich ingredients, which can be helpful for gut and skin health. It’s quite calorie-dense and contains multiple common protein allergens, so it’s best suited for healthy dogs without known food sensitivities and for owners who can measure portions carefully.

Nutritional profile 8.0
Ingredient composition 8.0
Adequacy substantiation 7.0
Health considerations 10.0

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

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

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
Suitable For
All Life Stages All Breed Sizes
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We'll check every ingredient against your pet's sensitivities and avoidance list.

Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Very high protein (40% as-fed) and fat (30% as-fed) from chicken, duck, organs, and eggs, which supports active dogs and growing puppies.
  • Complete and balanced for all life stages, including growth of large-breed dogs, so it can be a sole diet if desired.
  • Freeze-dried processing helps preserve nutrients and offers a palatable option for picky eaters.
  • Includes probiotics, postbiotics, and omega sources like flax seed and marine microalgae oil that can support gut and skin health.

Considerations

  • Calorie density is high at about 320 kcal per cup, so portions need to be measured carefully to avoid weight gain.
  • Contains chicken, duck, and egg, which are common triggers for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities.
  • Very high fat may not be ideal for dogs with a history of pancreatitis or those needing a lower-fat diet.
  • Low moisture compared with fresh or canned foods means some dogs will benefit from adding water to their meals.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

chicken, chicken liver, duck, eggs, chicken heart, apples, coconut oil, butternut squash, sweet potato, yeast culture, flax seed, marine microalgae oil, vitamins (potassium chloride, vitamin E supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, thiamin mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, vitamin B-12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid), minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, calcium carbonate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, calcium iodate, selenium yeast), yucca schidigera extract, Lactobacillus Acidophilus fermentation product, preserved with tocopherols

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.
View ingredient
02
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
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.
View ingredient
04
Egg
Eggs are used in pet foods as a highly digestible, complete animal protein and nutrient source—providing essential amino acids, bioavailable vitamins (A, D, E, B-complex including B12), minerals like selenium and iron, choline and healthy fats—while also improving palatability and texture. They support muscle maintenance, skin/coat and cognitive health in dogs and cats, but raw eggs can carry bacterial risk and contain avidin in whites that may reduce biotin with long-term feeding; some pets may also have egg allergies or require portion control for calorie management.
View ingredient
05
Chicken Heart
Chicken heart is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in dog and cat foods and treats as a highly palatable animal protein source, providing taurine, B vitamins (notably B12), iron, zinc and coenzyme Q10. It supports lean muscle and, for cats, provides essential taurine, but should be included as part of a balanced formulation and properly sourced/processed to reduce bacterial risk, since excessive organ intake can unbalance nutrients or be a concern for pets with specific metabolic or urate-stone issues.

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)
40.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
30.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
5.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
5.00%
Low High
4918
kcal / Kg
320
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 Whole Pieces
Processing method Freeze Dried
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, Large Breed Growth (70+ lbs)
Substantiation Formulation
NutriSource Element Series Freeze-Dried Chicken & Duck Recipe 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 including 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 Freeze-Dried Chicken & Duck Recipe 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.
8.3 /10 Grade A
Freeze-Dried Chicken & Duck Recipe 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.