The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Review

Dog Food Recent Reviews October 19, 2023
The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Review
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The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Review

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The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Review

The Honest Kitchen claims to be the first manufacturer of human-grade pet food in the world. This dog food company uses only human-grade ingredients and non-GMO produce to create premium pet foods that have been carefully sourced.

If you are thinking about changing your pup’s diet, The Honest Kitchen is a popular veterinarian-recommended brand that is well worth considering.
Keep reading for a look at the recipes, benefits and drawbacks, recalls, and much more in this Honest Kitchen dog food review.

The Honest Kitchen Dog Food – Top 6 Recipes Reviewed

Brand Score

Our reviews are based on extensive research and years of professional knowledge of dog food brands. In order to remain objective, we do not accept gifts of free products or write sponsored posts on this site.

We’ve examined The Honest Kitchen Dog Food closely and graded the brand according to the PupJunkies.com standard. Our criteria include ingredients, quality, customer experience, recall history, working with veterinary nutritionists to formulate the food, nutritional standards, research, and price.

The Honest Kitchen
Product
Overall Score
Pros
  • Offers a lot of variety
  • Does not contain fillers, meat by-products, or artificial ingredients
  • 90 day money back garuntee
  • Made in the USA
Cons
  • Food cost is on the pricey side
  • Wet food containers can be messy
Pros
  • Offers a lot of variety
  • Does not contain fillers, meat by-products, or artificial ingredients
  • 90 day money back garuntee
  • Made in the USA
Cons
  • Food cost is on the pricey side
  • Wet food containers can be messy
Ingredients
Overall Quality
Customer Experience
Recall History
Formulation
Nutritional Standards
Research
Price

About The Honest Kitchen Dog Food

The Honest Kitchen was founded as a result of Lucy Postins’ dissatisfaction with the quality of the ingredients used in commercial pet food. In 2002, while Lucy Postins, the company’s founder and chief integrity officer, was preparing meals for her dogs at home, she had the idea for The Honest Kitchen. Postins imagined making dog food with human-grade materials and equipment.

Only premium ingredients of the highest human grade are used in The Honest Kitchen dog food. There are no GMOs, fillers, artificial preservatives, or colors on the list of ingredients.

The company has a very low carbon footprint and is also environmentally friendly. Its cardboard packaging is recyclable, compostable, and BPA-free. This makes it simpler to ship, pack up, and move into your home because you are not charged for water weight. 

Sourcing And Manufacturing

The dog food from The Honest Kitchen is produced in the United States, specifically in California.

To preserve the freshness and nutritional value of the ingredients used to make the dry food, they are cold-pressed, roasted, and dehydrated. For the same reason, the dehydrated food is gently dehydrated at low temperatures. Small batches of the wet food are kettle-cooked to maintain the food’s natural texture, flavor, and taste.

The highest-quality ingredients are used to make the human-grade pet food from Honest Kitchen. The food’s ingredients come from both domestic and international sources. The business is clear that none are sourced from China.

With the help of their helpful supplier map, you can also see which continent each ingredient originated from.

Recall History

In February of 2013 five lots of dog food from Honest Kitchen were recalled in February 2013.

A current list of dog food recalls since 2022 is available here.

What Kinds Of Dog Food Does The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Offer?

There are numerous dog food recipe options on The Honest Kitchen. They offer dry food, dehydrated food, and wet food, along with meal topper stews, broths, and treats. The Honest Kitchen offers food for special diets as well as many grain-free recipes. There are also limited-ingredient, high-protein, low-fat, and legume-free recipes.

The Honest Kitchen has several recipes that use novelty meat, like duck and lamb, which can be safer alternatives for dogs with meat allergies. Add ins like Taurine and probiotics make for a healthy diet and help offset potential problems associated with grain-free recipes, and they are present in the recipes we looked at.

The Honest Kitchen Dog Food : Reviewed

In order to give you an idea of how some of the various formulas work, we will examine six of the best selling recipes that The Honest Kitchen offers.

Analysis/Review

Best Overall
1.

The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Chicken Whole Food Clusters Dry Dog Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 26.0% Min
  • Fat: 14.5% Min
  • Fiber: 5.0% Max
  • Calories: 3,836 kcal/kg, 422 kcal/cup
Ingredients:

Chicken, Potatoes, Peas, Chicken Liver, Lentils, Carrots, Ground Flaxseed, Eggs, Broccoli, Pumpkin, Apples, Coconut Oil, Natural Chicken Flavor, Salmon Oil, Kale, Chia Seed, Minerals [Calcium Carbonate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite], Fenugreek Seed, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Vitamins [Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin Supplement], Mixed Tocopherols (A Natural Preservative), Turmeric, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.

This dog food is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and is a complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs puppies of all breeds and sizes, including large breed puppies and adult mothers (gestation/lactation). These clusters feature human-grade muscle meat and liver, low glycemic carbs, beneficial fats and live probiotics. This food is made without feed grade ingredients, meat meals, fillers, GMO ingredients, artificial flavors or artificial preservatives.

Best Dehydrated
2.

The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 24.5% Min
  • Fat: 14% Min
  • Fiber: 4% Max
  • Calories: 485 kcal/cup
Ingredients:

Dehydrated Chicken, Organic Barley, Dehydrated Potatoes, Organic Flaxseed, Organic Oats, Dehydrated Peas, Dehydrated Carrots, Dried Parsley, Dried Bananas, Dehydrated Celery, Dehydrated Organic Kelp, Minerals [Tricalcium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Potassium Iodide, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite], Taurine, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), D- Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement], EPA, DHA.

This recipe is crafted with real whole food ingredients, including free-range chicken, organic oats, carrots and bananas. The ingredients are gently dehydrated for maximum flavor and nutrient retention, and easy digestion. This 100% human-grade recipe is made with human-grade ingredients and produced in a human food facility and is without by-products, preservatives, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy.

Best Limited Ingredient
3.

The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Diet Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 24% Min
  • Fat: 14% Min
  • Fiber: 6% Max
  • Calories: 506 kcal/cup
Ingredients:

Dehydrated Duck, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Dried Navy Beans, Organic Flaxseed, Dehydrated Eggs, Dehydrated Parsley, Minerals (Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Potassium Iodide, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), D- Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement], EPA, DHA.

This 100% human-grade recipe is a complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs of all breed and sizes, including adult and seniors. This product is manufactured without by-products, preservatives, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy and contains just 6 whole food ingredients, making it a great option for pups with food sensitivities or allergies.

Best Wet Food
4.

The Honest Kitchen Butcher Block Pate Beef, Cheddar & Farm Veggies Pate Wet Dog Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 12.0% Min
  • Fat: 4.0% Min
  • Fiber: 1.0% Max
  • Calories: 274 kcal/box
Ingredients:

Beef, Beef Bone Broth, Beef Liver, Cheddar Cheese, Carrots, Green Beans, Broccoli, Agar-Agar, Sunflower Oil, Minerals [Copper Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Selenium Yeast, Zinc Proteinate, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Proteinate], Dicalcium Phosphate, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Choline Chloride], Salmon Oil, Dried Kelp.

The Honest Kitchen Butcher Block Pate Beef, Cheddar & Farm Veggies Pate Wet Dog Food is made with ranch-raised beef and farm-grown veggies such as carrots and green beans. This hearty wet food can be mixed with your pup’s regular meals or served as a complete meal. It is free of artificial flavors or preservatives, GMOs, gums, carrageenan, feed-grade ingredients, meat meals or fillers.

Best for Puppies
5.

The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Beef Whole Food Clusters Dry Dog Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 26.0% Min
  • Fat: 14.50% Min
  • Fiber: 5.0% Max
  • Calories: 427 kcal/cup
Ingredients:

Beef, Potatoes, Peas, Beef Liver, Lentils, Carrots, Ground Flaxseed, Eggs, Broccoli, Pumpkin, Apples, Salmon Oil, Natural Beef Flavor, Coconut Oil, Kale, Chia Seed, Minerals [Calcium Carbonate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite], Fenugreek Seed, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Vitamins [Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin Supplement], Mixed Tocopherols (A Natural Preservative), Turmeric, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.

Made without feed grade ingredients, meat meals, fillers, GMO ingredients, artificial flavors or artificial preservatives, this 100% human-grade ingredients and is produced in a human food facility. These clusters feature human-grade muscle meat and liver, low glycemic carbs, beneficial fats and live probiotics.

Best Topper
6.

The Honest Kitchen Bone Broth POUR OVERS Beef Stew Wet Dog Food Topper

Product Info

  • Protein: 5.0% Min
  • Fat: 2.50% Min
  • Fiber: 1.0% Max
  • Calories: 107 kcal/box
Ingredients:

Beef Bone Broth, Beef, Carrots, Butternut Squash, Tapioca, Thyme, Sage.

The Honest Kitchen Bone Broth POUR OVERS Beef Stew Wet Dog Food Topper helps change up your pup's meals with some added flavor and nutrition. Made with ranch-raised beef and carrots in a savory bone broth and free of artificial flavors or preservatives, GMOs, gums, carrageenan, feed-grade ingredients, meat meals or fillers. This broth is manufactured with human-grade ingredients made in a human food facility.

The Downside Of The Honest Kitchen Dog Food

Some of the larger boxes of The Honest Kitchen Dog Food can run as high as $100, making them unaffordable for those on a tight budget. If fed as a single source of nutrition, those who have large dogs or who need to feed several pups may find it to be a little pricey.

The wet food containers from The Honest Kitchen can get messy, and you will need to scoop out the dehydrated dog food and rehydrate it in your dog’s bowl, adding more dishes to your feeding routine.

How Much Does The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Cost?

Currently, a 5-pound bag of Grain Free Chicken Clusters costs $29.99. On the Honest Kitchen website, a 3-pack of the 5.5-ounce POUR OVERS Wet Dog Food Topper varieties costs about $8.

The price of a large box of dehydrated dog food ranges from about $80 to as much as $150 for some types. When mixed with water, The Honest Kitchen dog food’s dehydrated 10-pound boxes yield 40 lbs. of ready-to-eat meals.

So, feeding a medium-sized dog would cost about $115 per month. Depending on whether you prefer a dehydrated food for its nutritional advantages or if it fits within your budget, dry food or dehydrated food may be a better choice

What Do Customers Think?

The Honest Kitchen has received a lot of positive reviews. Most pet owners, even those with picky eaters, claim that their dogs enjoy the food. There have been some reports of improvements, such as healthier coats, weight loss, and fewer digestive problems. 

Improvements have reportedly been noticed, including healthier coats, decreased weight, and fewer digestive issues. Additionally, the food has helped dogs with sensitive stomachs and allergies and a general health improvement after feeding their dogs The Honest Kitchen food for a while.

Overall, Is The Honest Kitchen Dog Food A Good Choice?

Yes, The Honest Kitchen is good for dogs. This is a result of the food’s superior quality in terms of its nutrients, flavors, and ingredients.

The food from The Honest Kitchen may even improve the health of dogs. After starting their dogs on the food, many dog owners claim to have noticed an improvement in their dogs’ health.

Overall, it is fantastic to see an organic, all-natural, dehydrated product enter the food industry, and the environmental consciousness is a bonus.

Where Is The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Sold?

The Honest Kitchen offers two purchasing options on their website HERE: a one-time purchase or a subscription that allows you to receive it whenever you want.

You can purchase the food at select pet stores and websites like Chewy and Amazon.com.

 

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Amy Towry is a Certified NAVC Pet Nutritionist and pet lover. She is the proud owner of two rescue cats and a rescue dog and her love for animals has led her to a successful career as a freelance writer specializing in pet care, nutrition, and product reviews.
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