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LINE VS LINE · NUTRISOURCE KIBBLE

NutriSource PureVita vs NutriSource Element Series

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

NutriSource PureVita against NutriSource Element Series, measured across 16 and 5 kibble recipes: 24.8% vs 35.2% protein and 38% vs 27% starch, as fed.

16 kibble recipes reviewed 5 kibble recipes reviewed
THE SHORT VERSION

Main Differences

  • PureVita averages 24.9% protein as fed (24 to 28%) across its 15 recipes. Element Series averages 35.2% (34 to 38%) across its 5 recipes.
  • PureVita averages 14.8% fat and an estimated 38% starch. Element Series averages 16.6% fat and an estimated 27% starch, so fat is close but starch differs more.
  • PureVita recipes average 418 kcal per cup. Element Series recipes average 498 kcal per cup, noticeably higher.
  • PureVita offers 15 recipes across All Life Stages, Adult and one Puppy recipe, all for All Breeds. Element Series offers 5 recipes across All Life Stages and Adult only, also for All Breeds, with no puppy recipe.
  • PureVita is 67% grain-free with an estimated price of $4 per pound. Element Series is 40% grain-free at an estimated $4.42 per pound, prices fairly close.
HEAD TO HEAD

The Two Lines in Figures

Measure NutriSource PureVita NutriSource Element Series Average kibble
Kibble recipes compared 16 5 1,747 in total
Protein, as fed 24.8%24.0% to 28.0% 35.2%34.0% to 38.0% 27.2%
Fat, as fed 14.7%13.0% to 16.0% 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. 38%33% to 43% 27%24% to 30% 37%
Calories per cup 416371 to 438 498490 to 510 398
Grain-free recipes 63% 40%
Life stages All Life Stages 11, Adult 4, Puppy 1 All Life Stages 3, Adult 2
Breed sizes All Breeds 16 All Breeds 5
Price per pound, estimate $3.78/lbEstimate, median of 8 of 16 recipesRecipes run $3.04 to $4.40Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 25, 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 PureVita

NutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Beef & Red Lentils Entree Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 28.0% as fed NutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Beef & Red Lentils Entree Dry Dog Food Protein 28% Fat 16% Starch 33% 428 kcal/cup NutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Venison & Red Lentils Entree Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 35% NutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Venison & Red Lentils Entree Dry Dog Food Protein 26% Fat 15% Starch 35% 414 kcal/cup NutriSource PureVita Chicken & Brown Rice Entree Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 371 kcal per cup NutriSource PureVita Chicken & Brown Rice Entree Dry Dog Food Protein 24% Fat 13% Starch 41% 371 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 PureVita

  • Owners of puppies, since PureVita has a dedicated Puppy recipe (Turkey & Cranberry).
  • Owners wanting many recipe choices, with 15 recipes spanning proteins like duck, salmon, pork and venison.
  • Budget-minded owners, with an estimated median price around $4 per pound.
A GOOD FIT FOR

NutriSource Element Series

  • Owners seeking higher protein, since Element Series averages 35.2% protein across its 5 recipes.
  • Owners without puppies, since none of its 5 recipes are labeled for puppies.
  • Owners of dogs that need calorie-dense food, with kcal per cup averaging 498 across recipes.
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 Choice 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.

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