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Grain Free Small Bites Seafood Select Dry Dog Food
NutriSource

Grain Free Small Bites Seafood Select Dry Dog Food

Verified Aug 24, 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, featuring salmon and menhaden fish meal as the main protein sources. Peas and pea derivatives provide most of the carbohydrate content, and the formula is enriched with added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, taurine, L-carnitine, glucosamine, chondroitin, and probiotics. It is designed as a complete and balanced everyday diet with a focus on digestive and overall wellness.

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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 well-formulated, all-life-stages dry diet with moderate protein and fat levels and fish-based primary proteins, which can work nicely for many adult dogs and growing puppies, including large breeds. It offers thoughtful extras like EPA/DHA, taurine, L-carnitine, glucosamine, chondroitin, and probiotics to support general health. The biggest nutritional caveat is that this is a grain-free, pea-heavy recipe, which is something to discuss with your veterinarian if you have a breed with potential heart concerns.

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 Antioxidant Support Brain Health Heart Care Skin Coat Health Joint Care
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

  • Salmon and menhaden fish meal provide complete, high-quality animal protein as the first ingredients.
  • Contains added EPA and DHA, plus good omega-3 and omega-6 levels to support skin, coat, and overall health.
  • Includes taurine and L-carnitine, which can be helpful for heart and muscle function in some dogs.
  • Formulated to AAFCO standards for all life stages, including large-breed growth, so it can be used across ages and sizes.

Considerations

  • Peas and pea derivatives are major ingredients, and this grain-free, legume-heavy style has been linked to heart issues in some dogs.
  • Contains chicken fat and poultry flavors, so it is not suitable for dogs with chicken or poultry allergies.
  • At 3812 kcal/kg and about 15% fat, portions may need careful control for less active or easily overweight dogs.
  • Dry, kibble-based diets rely on processing; some dogs with very sensitive digestion may do better on alternative formats.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

salmon, menhaden fishmeal, peas, pea flour, chicken fat (preserved with tocopherols and citric acid), pea starch, dehydrated alfalfa meal, flax seed, natural chicken and turkey flavors, dried plain beet pulp, brewers dried yeast, dried tomato pomace, sunflower oil, dicalcium phosphate, salt, potassium chloride, choline chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, selenium yeast, copper proteinate, magnesium oxide, manganese proteinate, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide), DL methionine, calcium carbonate, 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), lactic acid, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), 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, taurine, 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
Menhaden Fish
Menhaden fish is used in pet foods primarily as a high-quality animal protein and as a concentrated source of fish oil rich in omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which support healthy skin and coat, joint mobility, and anti‑inflammatory benefits for dogs and cats. It enhances palatability and provides essential micronutrients like iodine and selenium, but owners should be aware of possible fish allergies, caloric density and oil oxidation, and prefer products from reputable, sustainably sourced suppliers to reduce contamination risks.
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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
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.
05
Chicken Fat
Chicken fat is used in dog and cat foods as a concentrated energy and flavor source that supplies essential fatty acids (notably linoleic acid) and aids absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins, improving palatability and supporting skin and coat health. Because it is calorie‑dense, diets must account for added fat to prevent weight gain, and quality (proper rendering and antioxidant protection to prevent rancidity) is important; although fats are less commonly allergenic than proteins, pets with poultry sensitivities may still react in some cases.

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)
25.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
15.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
7.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
10.00%
Low High
3812
kcal / Kg
476
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* Small Bites Seafood Select Recipe 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 Seafood Select 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 Seafood Select Dry Dog Food
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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.