Skip to content
In The Kibble
My dogs
LINE VS LINE · NUTRISOURCE KIBBLE

NutriSource Choice vs NutriSource Element Series

NutriSource Choice vs NutriSource Element Series: a bag from each line with their average protein, fat, starch and calories

NutriSource Choice against NutriSource Element Series, measured across 7 and 5 kibble recipes: 24.1% vs 35.2% protein and 41% vs 27% starch, as fed.

7 kibble recipes reviewed 5 kibble recipes reviewed
THE SHORT VERSION

Main Differences

  • NutriSource Choice averages 24.1% protein as fed across its recipes, while NutriSource Element Series averages 35.2% protein.
  • Choice averages 13.1% fat and an estimated 41% starch; Element Series averages 16.6% fat and an estimated 27% starch.
  • Choice averages 398 kcal per cup, while Element Series averages 498 kcal per cup.
  • Choice is 0% grain-free across 7 recipes, including 2 made for Large Breed dogs; Element Series is 40% grain-free across 5 recipes, all labeled All Breeds.
  • Choice offers 4 Adult and 3 All Life Stages recipes at an estimated price per pound of $1.65; Element Series offers 2 Adult and 3 All Life Stages recipes at an estimated price per pound of $4.42.
HEAD TO HEAD

The Two Lines in Figures

Measure NutriSource Choice NutriSource Element Series Average kibble
Kibble recipes compared 7 5 1,747 in total
Protein, as fed 24.1%22.0% to 30.0% 35.2%34.0% to 38.0% 27.2%
Fat, as fed 13.1%12.0% to 20.0% 16.6%16.0% to 18.0% 14.3%
Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. 41%28% to 44% 27%24% to 30% 37%
Calories per cup 398389 to 431 498490 to 510 398
Grain-free recipes 0% 40%
Life stages Adult 4, All Life Stages 3 All Life Stages 3, Adult 2
Breed sizes All Breeds 5, Large Breed 2 All Breeds 5
Price per pound, estimate $1.65/lbEstimate, median of 6 of 7 recipesRecipes run $1.50 to $1.75Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 13, 2026 $4.42/lbEstimate, median of 5 of 5 recipesRecipes run $4.41 to $7.00Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026
FDA recalls, last 5 years None None

Line figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that line, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Wet food, toppers and prescription diets are left out so the numbers compare like with like. Everything is as fed, the way the bag prints it; the switch above the table shows protein and fat on a dry matter basis instead. Why we use as fed. The price per pound is an estimate: the median of each recipe's lowest price per pound across the bag sizes and US retailers our price checks found, so a single bag can cost more or less. Shelf prices change often.

WHERE TO START

Top Recipes in Each Line

NutriSource Choice

NutriSource Choice Performance Chicken Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 30.0% as fed NutriSource Choice Performance Chicken Dry Dog Food Protein 30% Fat 20% Starch 28% 431 kcal/cup NutriSource Choice Large Breed Chicken Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 42% NutriSource Choice Large Breed Chicken Dry Dog Food Protein 24% Fat 12% Starch 42% 394 kcal/cup NutriSource Choice Large Breed Beef Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 389 kcal per cup NutriSource Choice Large Breed Beef Dry Dog Food Protein 23% Fat 12% Starch 43% 389 kcal/cup

NutriSource Element Series

NutriSource Element Series Grain Free Upland Stream Recipe Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 38.0% as fed NutriSource Element Series Grain Free Upland Stream Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 38% Fat 17% Starch 24% 510 kcal/cup NutriSource Element Series Grain Free Wild Range Recipe Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 25% NutriSource Element Series Grain Free Wild Range Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 36% Fat 18% Starch 25% 490 kcal/cup NutriSource Element Series Coastal Plains Recipe Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 493 kcal per cup NutriSource Element Series Coastal Plains Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 34% Fat 16% Starch 30% 493 kcal/cup
CHOOSING

Who Each Line Suits

A GOOD FIT FOR

NutriSource Choice

  • Large breed adult dogs, since Choice has 2 recipes made for Large Breed dogs.
  • Owners wanting a lower estimated price per pound, at $1.65 for Choice.
  • Owners wanting more recipe variety, with 7 kibble recipes in the Choice line.
A GOOD FIT FOR

NutriSource Element Series

  • Dogs needing higher protein, since Element Series averages 35.2% protein as fed.
  • Owners seeking grain-free recipes, since 40% of Element Series recipes are grain-free.
  • Dogs needing more energy-dense food, since Element Series averages 498 kcal per cup.
THE WHOLE RANGE

Every NutriSource Line

Line Kibble recipes Protein Fat Starch Kcal / cup Grain-free Price / lb, est.
PureVita 16 24.8% 14.7% 38% 416 63% $3.78
Choice 7 24.1% 13.1% 41% 398 0% $1.65
Element Series 5 35.2% 16.6% 27% 498 40% $4.42

Averages over each line's kibble we review, as fed. Lines with only a few recipes swing more on one bag. Price per pound is the same estimate as above.

KEEP COMPARING

More NutriSource Line Comparisons

NutriSource PureVita vs NutriSource Choice NutriSource PureVita vs NutriSource Element Series

The NutriSource Lines

All NutriSource food NutriSource PureVita NutriSource Choice NutriSource Element Series

NutriSource Against Other Brands

NutriSource vs Blue Buffalo NutriSource vs Fromm

How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brand's own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. The written comparison is drafted from these figures, and every number in it is checked against them. Figures refreshed October 25, 2026.

Keep In The Know,
Know What's In The Bowl

The In the Kibble newsletter. Useful emails for dog owners: what we find inside dog food, how to feed well, and a heads-up when a food is recalled.
DOUBLE OPT-IN // ONE CLICK TO STOP // NEVER SHARED