NutriSource Element Series Grain Free (Wet) Review

NutriSource Element Series grain-free wet cat food is made up of four recipes which each receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4 stars.

This range is high in both protein and moisture which supports the healthy development of muscle and good digestion. It also contains proprietary prebiotics and postbiotic liquid lactobacillus fermentation products to optimize a healthy gut function.

The table below shows each recipe in the range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

NutriSource Element Series Countryside Grain Free Chicken & Egg Blend was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is chicken, which is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. ¹

Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.

The second ingredient is chicken broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a cat food, they are a common component in many wet products.

The third ingredient is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.

The fourth ingredient is porcine plasma. Plasma is what remains of blood after the blood cells themselves have been removed. Plasma can be considered a nutritious addition.

The fifth ingredient is dried egg product, a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries – from eggs that have failed to hatch.

In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The sixth ingredient is lentil flour, a powder made from roasted peas or lentils. Lentil flour contains as much as 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this cat food.

The seventh ingredient is liquid lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.

The eighth ingredient is coconut glycerin. Glycerine is used in the food industry as a natural sweetener and as a humectant to help preserve the moisture content of a product.

From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.

This recipe three has notable exceptions.

First, this food also includes chelated minerals, that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better cat foods.

Next, taurine, an essential amino acid for cats associated with the healthy function of heart muscle and eye sight, and is crucial for maintaining good health in cats.

We view the presence of Taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.

Lastly, marine microalgae oil, which is usually included as a plant based source of omega 3 fatty acid DHA. Studies have found DHA to be beneficial for many areas of the body, through reducing inflammation, as well as supporting brain and eye health. 

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, NutriSource Element Series Countryside Grain Free Chicken & Egg Blend looks like an above-average wet product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 52.7%, a fat level of 28.3% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 11.1%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 51.4% and a mean fat level of 27.2%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 13.4% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 53%.

This means this NutriSource Element Series grain free wet range contains average protein and carbohydrate levels and higher than average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.

Has NutriSource cat food been recalled in the past?

No. NutriSource cat food has not been recalled.

You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.

To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.

About

NutriSource was founded in 1964 by Darrell Nelson. The company is based in Perham, Minnesota. It is part of the KLN family of brands which is headed by CEO Kenny Nelson.

As a US-based brand, NutriSource manufactures its foods in company-owned facilities in Perham, MN.