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Grain Free Small Bites Salmon & Peas Entrée Dry Dog Food
NutriSource

Grain Free Small Bites Salmon & Peas Entrée Dry Dog Food

Verified Aug 22, 2026

Dog · Dry All Life Stages All Breed Sizes

This is a grain-free, small-kibble dry food for dogs of all life stages, including large-breed puppies, using salmon and salmon meal as the main animal protein sources. Peas and sweet potatoes provide the bulk of the carbohydrates, and the recipe is supplemented with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, taurine, L-carnitine, and added probiotics to support overall nutrition and digestion. Its limited-ingredient, single-animal-protein design may be helpful for dogs that do better on simpler formulas.

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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

A well-formulated grain-free dry diet centered around salmon, with a moderate protein level, relatively high fat, and a strong focus on digestive support and added heart-related nutrients like taurine and L-carnitine. It is AAFCO-formulated for all life stages, including large-breed growth, which is important if you’re feeding puppies, especially bigger breeds. The main nutritional cautions are the heavy reliance on peas in a grain-free formula and the higher calorie density, which means portions need to be measured carefully.

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.
Probiotic Support Antioxidant Support Brain Health Heart Care Skin Coat Health Joint Care
Diet & Compliance
Limited Ingredient
Suitable For
All Life Stages All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Salmon and salmon meal provide identifiable, high-quality animal protein as the primary ingredients.
  • Formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages, including large-breed puppies, which many foods do not cover.
  • Includes added omega-3 and omega-6 fats, taurine, and L-carnitine, supporting heart, skin, and coat nutrition.
  • Contains multiple probiotic strains plus prebiotics aimed at supporting healthy digestion and stool quality.

Considerations

  • Peas appear multiple times high in the ingredient list, making this a legume-heavy grain-free diet; that’s worth discussing with your vet given ongoing DCM concerns.
  • The calorie content is quite high per cup, so it’s easy to overfeed if portions are not measured accurately.
  • Contains salmon, which is a common allergen for some dogs, so it may not suit dogs with known fish allergies.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

salmon, salmon meal, peas, sweet potatoes, pea flour, sunflower oil, pea starch, dried plain beet pulp, flax seed, dehydrated alfalfa meal, dried tomato pomace, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, salt, potassium chloride, threonine, choline chloride, dried cranberries, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, selenium yeast, copper proteinate, magnesium proteinate, manganese proteinate, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide), DL methionine, dried blueberries, brewers dried yeast, taurine, turmeric, inulin, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement), hydrolyzed yeast, lactic acid, garlic powder, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), citric acid (a preservative), tocopherols (a preservative), L-tryptophan, yucca schidigera 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, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, L-carnitine, rosemary 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
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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02
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.
View ingredient
03
Pea
Pea is a plant-based ingredient used in pet foods as a source of protein, soluble and insoluble fiber, and micronutrients (often included as whole peas, pea flour, or pea protein concentrate) to boost protein content and improve texture. While peas can provide digestible carbohydrates, fiber, and some plant protein useful especially for dogs, they are not a complete protein for obligate carnivores like cats and — when overused, particularly in concentrated forms or as a major component of grain‑free diets — have been scrutinized for a possible association with canine dilated cardiomyopathy and can contribute to nutrient imbalances or excess calories, so balanced formulation and compliance with AAFCO nutritional profiles are important.
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04
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber, vitamins (notably beta‑carotene), minerals and antioxidants, often helping with stool quality and serving as a binder or energy ingredient. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and can support gut health, but because cats poorly convert beta‑carotene to vitamin A and require preformed vitamin A from animal sources, sweet potato is not a substitute for meat-based nutrients; its relatively high carbohydrate content also means portion control is advised for overweight or diabetic pets and it should be cooked for best digestibility.
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05
Pea Flour
Pea flour is a finely milled powder from whole peas used in pet foods as a plant-based source of protein, starch and fiber to add bulk, improve texture and boost overall protein content. It provides digestible protein, fiber and some micronutrients, but plant proteins are lower in certain essential amino acids (important for cats in particular) and high inclusion of legumes can create formulation imbalances, so manufacturers typically supplement limiting amino acids and process pea flour to reduce anti-nutritional factors; pet owners should note rare allergies and rely on complete, balanced diets rather than single-ingredient comparisons.

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)
24.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
16.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
6.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
10.00%
Low High
3958
kcal / Kg
434
kcal / Cup
Moderate
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, Large Breed Growth (70+ lbs)
Substantiation Formulation
NutriSource(R) PureVita(TM) Small Bites Salmon & Peas Entrée 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 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 Grain Free Small Bites Salmon & Peas Entrée 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
Grain Free Small Bites Salmon & Peas Entrée 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.