The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Review (2023): Prices, Quality, Nutrients

The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Review

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Your dog is an integral part of your family.  Just like you want to provide the best nutrition to the other family members, it’s also essential to do the same for your canine companion.

Unlike humans, dogs can’t choose good food themselves. It’s, therefore, your duty as the dog parent to offer the best nutrition to your furry pal to ensure optimal performance and health.

But, how do you know what’s best for your dog from the many available options? You’ll need to determine your dog’s specific needs depending on its size, weight, age, activity level, and health condition so that you can go for the product that meets these needs adequately.

You’ll find plenty of information and reviews about various foods. While some are genuine and useful, others are hyped to drive brand sales.  And that’s where we come in.

To make it easier for you, we analyze different brands in terms of ingredients quality, availability, variety, safety, and cost to give you an honest review.  This article delves deep into the Honest Kitchen dog food to help you determine if it’s worth your try.

The Honest Kitchen dog food is a USA-based dog food brand founded and owned by Lucy and Charles Postins. It was started in 2002 in San Diego, California, to provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs at all life stages.

The brand is renowned for using high-quality ingredients, including natural meats, organic vegetables, and fruits. It offers recipes for puppies, adults, and senior dogs and grain-free and grain-inclusive formulas.

Honest Kitchen claims to uphold very high standards regarding food safety as they routinely carry out quality checks on all their products. Additionally, all suppliers must be vetted and sign quality and safety agreements for all the ingredients they supply. 

However, is this dog food brand what it says it is?

Let’s find out together in this comprehensive review.

About The Honest Kitchen 

The Honest Kitchen is a premium dog food brand that takes pride in providing high-quality, complete and balanced dog food for dogs of all ages and sizes. The brand uses only human-grade ingredients and does not include any fillers and by-products, making it among the healthiest dog foods available today. The Honest Kitchen offers dry, dehydrated, wet dog treats, toppers, and supplements.

Who is the Owner of The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Producer? 

A US-based couple owns the Honest Kitchen dog food, Lucy and Charles Postins. It was founded in 2002 in San Diego, California, where the food is produced up to date.

What is the Nutritional Profile of The Honest Kitchen Dog Foods?

It’s important to look at the nutritional content of dog food before settling for it. This determines its ability to meet your dog’s needs adequately. Looking at the ingredient list can give you helpful clues on the adequacy of the food.

Generally, carbohydrates, proteins, and fat are the most important dietary components that make up the nutritional profile of dog food. This is the nutritional profile of the Honest Kitchen dog food:

1. Carbohydrate Value of The Honest Kitchen Dog Food

Carbohydrates are essential in supplying the energy dogs need to fuel their activities.  Carbs are broken down into sugar and then calories that keep dogs going. However, too many carbohydrates can cause obesity and other health issues in dogs and should thus be used moderately.

The Honest Kitchen uses carbohydrates from sources such as

  • Tubers including yams and sweet potatoes 
  • Whole grains such as organic oats and barley 
  • Fruits and vegetables, including kales, spinach, broccoli, apples, carrots, oranges, and berries. 
  • Legumes like peas, beans, and lentils 

In terms of carbohydrate value, the Honest Kitchen dog food is considered near-average, with a carbs content of 48%. This is compared to other commercial dog foods that contain between 30%-60%.

2. Protein Value of The Honest Kitchen Dog Food

Proteins are necessary for helping dogs build healthy muscles and promote optimal performance. They provide the amino acids that help build, repair, and maintain healthy muscles, cells, tissues, and ligaments in dogs.  They also boost skin and immune health in dogs.

The Honest Kitchen dog food contains an average protein level of 29%  sourced from real meats, including beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb. It also uses plant proteins from ingredients such as peas. This means that the brand meets AAFCO’s minimum protein requirement.

3. Fat Value of The Honest Kitchen Dog Food

Besides being good energy sources, fats are crucial for the proper health and functioning of the body cells, nerves, muscles, and tissues. They play an important role in enhancing the absorption of other nutrients and maintaining skin and coat health. What’s more, fats aid in regulating body temperatures and protect sensitive organs from injury.

The average fat content in the Honest Kitchen dog food is 16% above average compared to other brands. This food comes with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%. 

What Makes The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Unique 

The following things distinguish the Honest Kitchen dog food from other brands:

  • It offers dehydrated food: The Honest Kitchen dog food comes in a dehydrated form. The ingredients in this food are gently cooked and then dehydrated to preserve its nutrients and flavor.
  • High-quality ingredients: This dog food brand utilizes real, natural, human-grade ingredients in all its products to guarantee the quality of the food. It does not include by-products, preservatives, or other filler ingredients like soy, corn, or wheat.
  • Ease of preparation: The Honest Kitchen dog food comes in a convenient form that requires you to simply add warm water to it and get your dog’s food ready in seconds. This is important if you have a busy schedule and no time for lengthy preparations.
  • Prepared in a family-owned kitchen: This dog food is exclusively cooked in a privately-owned facility, ensuring its quality and safety.
  • Rigorous ingredient testing: All the ingredients used in the Honest Kitchen’s recipes undergo thorough testing to ascertain their quality and suitability. This also ensures that only the best ingredients are used in making this food.
  • AAFCO standards adherence: All the Honest Kitchen products are formulated strictly to the guidelines set by AAFCO. The recipes exceed the minimum nutritional requirements as required by AAFCO.

What are the Best Honest Kitchen Recipes and Flavors? 

The Honest Kitchen offers different flavors and recipes to choose from. You can choose from their wide variety of recipes like chicken, beef, fish, turkey, duck, salmon, and Lamb. This allows you to choose what suits your dog based on its preferences and tastes.

What are the individual Dog Food Recipes from The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Brand? 

The Honest Kitchen provides recipes for different life stages, breeds, ages, activity levels, and health conditions. It has recipes for puppies, large breed dogs, small breed dogs, adult dogs, senior dogs, and picky eaters. It also offers grain-inclusive and grain-free options.

The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food

Featuring free-range chicken as the number one ingredient, this food is crafted with real, human-grade ingredients to provide maximum nutrition for your dog. Other real whole food ingredients, including organic oats, carrots, and bananas, are added to this food for wholesome and balanced nutrition to support your dog’s overall health. 

The ingredients in the recipe are gently dehydrated to ensure maximum nutrient, flavor, and taste preservation and enhance digestion.

What’s more, the recipe is made in a human-grade facility; hence you can be sure you are feeding your dog the very best.

  • First 5 Ingredients: Dehydrated Chicken, Organic Barley, Dehydrated Potatoes, Organic Flaxseed, and Organic Oats.
  • Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 24.5% min, Crude Fat 14% min, Crude Fiber 4% Max.
  • Calories: 485 kcal/cup 
  • Suitable for which dogs: Adult dogs of all breeds 
  • Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level. 
  • Key Benefit: High-protein, nutrient-dense food for optimal health and functioning of adult dogs.
  • Type of product: High-protein, Human-grade, Non-GMO  food with grains 
  • Life stage: Adult 
  • Best for: Sensitive dogs 
  • Price: $57.51 for a 28-lb bag 

Benefits 

  • Made with gently dehydrated ingredients for maximum nutrients and taste
  • Features free-range chicken as the number one ingredient for easily digestible protein to help builds lean muscles.
  • Contains real human-grade ingredients for complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs
  • Has no by-products, fillers, preservatives, GMOs, corn, wheat, or soy; hence great for sensitive tummies. 

The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Turkey Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food

This food is made with real ingredients like free-range turkey, whole oats, cabbage, and apples to provide the maximum nutrition your dog needs to keep going. The recipe features real turkey as the primary source of protein to help build lean muscles for dogs.

Boasting 100% human-grade ingredients, this recipe is crafted to provide complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes, including adult and senior dogs. Better still, the ingredients in this food are gently dehydrated to maximize nutrient retention and ensure smooth digestion.

  • First 5 Ingredients: Dehydrated Turkey, Organic Oats, Dehydrated Potatoes, Organic Flaxseed, and Dehydrated carrots.
  • Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 22% min, Crude Fat 15% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max.
  • Calories: 470 kcal/cup 
  • Suitable for which dogs: Adult dogs of all breeds 
  • Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level. 
  • Key Benefit: Natural, human-grade food for optimal health and functioning of adult dogs.
  • Type of product: Low-protein, Human-grade, Non-GMO  food with grains 
  • Life stage: Adult 
  • Best for: Dogs with chicken allergies
  • Price: $78.39 for a 40-lb bag 

Benefits 

  • Free from by-products, GMO ingredients, artificial flavors, and preservatives, corn, soy, or other fillers hence suitable for sensitive stomachs
  • Made with real whole food ingredients that are gently dehydrated for maximum nutrients and easy digestion
  • Complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes
  • Cage-free turkey is the first ingredient for lean proteins to build healthy muscles in dogs

The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Beef Recipe 

Designed to offer complete and balanced dog nutrition, this recipe contains ranch-raised beef as the key ingredients. It’s further enhanced with other real ingredients, including organic oats, carrots, and apples, to provide optimal dog nutrition.

This low-protein food is made with human-grade ingredients in human-standard kitchens, assuring you of this food’s safety and quality. 

  • First 5 Ingredients: Dehydrated Beef, Organic Oats, Dehydrated Potatoes, Organic Flaxseed, and Dehydrated carrots.
  • Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 22.5% min, Crude Fat 8.5% min, Crude Fiber 5.8% Max.
  • Calories: 441 kcal/cup 
  • Suitable for which dogs: Adult dogs of all breeds 
  • Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level. 
  • Key Benefit: Natural, human-grade food for optimal health and functioning of adult dogs.
  • Type of product: Low-protein, Human-grade, Non-GMO  food with grains 
  • Life stage: Adult 
  • Best for: Inactive Dogs 
  • Price: $26..79 for an 8-lb bag 

Benefits

  • Contains high-quality ingredients for maximum quality and safety
  • Features ranch-raised beef as the first ingredient for a good source of protein to help build healthy muscles 
  • Does not contain any fillers like corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives; hence gentle on your dog’s tummy
  • Offers complete and balanced nutrition for all dogs, including adult and senior dogs.

The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Fish & Oat Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food 

Formulated without antibiotics, hormones, corn, GMO, wheat, or beet pulp, this meal will offer your dog proper nutrition without messing with its digestive system. The food features wild-caught white fish as a source of proteins for healthy muscles. It’s enriched with wholesome ingredients like hearty oats, organic carrots, and pumpkin for complete and balanced nutrition.

This recipe is suitable even for dogs with extremely sensitive systems with human-grade ingredients and without any troublesome ingredients.

  • First 5 Ingredients: Dehydrated white Fish, Organic Barley, Dehydrated Potatoes, Organic Flaxseed, and Dehydrated carrots.
  • Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 28% min, Crude Fat 9% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max.
  • Calories: 391 kcal/cup 
  • Suitable for which dogs: Adult dogs of all breeds 
  • Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level. 
  • Key Benefit: Natural, human-grade food for optimal health and functioning of adult dogs.
  • Type of product: Dehydrated, Human-grade, Non-GMO food with grains 
  • Life stage: Adult 
  • Best for: Dogs with sensitive systems 
  • Price: $49.99 for a 16-lb bag 

Benefits

  • Human-grade food containing real, organic ingredients for optimal quality and safety
  • Made with wild-caught white fish is the number one ingredient to help build healthy muscles.
  • Offers complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all breeds
  • Devoid of soy, corn, wheat, and artificial preservatives or flavors.

The Honest Kitchen Gourmet Grains Chicken & Duck Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food 

Are you looking for a healthy meal with real, wholesome, 100% human-grade ingredients for your furry companion? Then this is it.

This food is made from a combination of real free-range chicken and cage-free duck together with hearty grains like barley and oats for a filling and nutritious meal for your dog. More importantly, these ingredients are dehydrated to preserve nutrients and taste.

Additionally, the recipe does not contain peas, lentils, and potatoes and only contains the best ingredients to guarantee maximum nutrition and health for your dog.

  • First 5 Ingredients: Dehydrated Chicken, Organic Barley, Organic oats, Organic Flaxseed, and Dehydrated eggs.
  • Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 28% min, Crude Fat 9% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max.
  • Calories: 449 kcal/cup 
  • Suitable for which dogs: Adult dogs of all breeds 
  • Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level. 
  • Key Benefit: Natural, human-grade food for optimal health and functioning of adult dogs.
  • Type of product: Dehydrated, Human-grade, Non-GMO food with grains 
  • Life stage: Adult 
  • Best for: Active dogs and those with sensitive stomachs
  • Price: $44.99 for a 16-lb bag 

Benefits

  • Free from hormones, antibiotics, by-products, and preservatives for optimal nutrition and health
  • Made with chicken and duck for easily digestible sources of protein to help build healthy muscles
  • Contains wholesome and natural ingredients for a complete and balanced meal for dogs of all breeds and sizes
  • Ingredients are gently dehydrated to retain most nutrients and taste while delivering maximum nutrition.

The Honest Kitchen Gourmet Grains Turkey & White Fish Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food 

Made with ingredients you recognize from your kitchen, this recipe provides a meal brimming with freshness, taste, and nutrients. The food combines two proteins from real cage-free turkey and wild-caught turkey to help your active dog build strong muscles and supply all the energy it needs to fuel its activities.

Additionally, wholesome grains like organic barley, quinoa, and oats for added doses of energy. Moreover, the food is loaded with vitamins and minerals from the wide range of vegetables added.

  • First 5 Ingredients: Dehydrated Turkey, Organic Barley, Organic oats, Organic Flaxseed, and Dehydrated eggs.
  • Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 28% min, Crude Fat 18% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max.
  • Calories: 445 kcal/cup 
  • Suitable for which dogs: Adult dogs of all breeds 
  • Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level. 
  • Key Benefit: Loaded with proteins plus vitamins and minerals for dogs’ healthy muscles and general body wellness.
  • Type of product: Dehydrated, Human-grade, Non-GMO food with grains 
  • Life stage: Adult 
  • Best for: Active dogs 
  • Price: $47.99 for a 4-lb bag 

Benefits

  • Made with 100% natural, human-grade ingredients for a healthy, nutrient-filled, and high-quality food to ensure optimal health in dogs
  • Has high protein levels to help build strong and healthy muscles
  • Loaded with veggies like carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, and kale for good sources of vitamins and minerals to promote the general wellbeing of dogs.
  • Free from fillers, artificial preservatives, corn, wheat, or soy hence gentle for sensitive tummies.

Honest Kitchen Gourmet Grains Beef & Salmon Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food 

Treat your canine companion to the goodness of a premium, complete, and balanced diet with the Honest Kitchen Gourmet grains Beef and Salmon recipe. This food features ranch-raised beef and wild-caught salmon as the primary ingredients. It’s further enhanced with organic superfood grains like quinoa and oats.

To top it all, the food is infused with a hearty bone broth for an irresistibly delectable flavor that appeals to even the pickiest dogs. This recipe is also free of potatoes, corn, wheat, soy, lentils, and peas and contains only the best ingredients that support your dog’s health and happiness. 

  • First 5 Ingredients: Dehydrated Beef, Organic Barley, Organic oats, Organic Flaxseed, and Dehydrated eggs.
  • Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 30% min, Crude Fat 15% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max. 
  • Calories: 423 kcal/cup 
  • Suitable for which dogs: Adult dogs of all breeds 
  • Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level. 
  • Key Benefit: Dual protein food that’s complete and fully balanced to support healthy muscles and general wellbeing of dogs
  • Type of product: Dehydrated, Human-grade, Non-GMO food with grains 
  • Life stage: Adult 
  • Best for: Picky dogs 
  • Price: $51.99 for a 4-lb bag 

Benefits

  • Infused with beef broth for a delectable flavor that appeals to picky dogs
  • Loaded with high-quality proteins from beef and salmon to help build healthy muscles
  • Complete and balanced nutrition containing wholesome grains to support the health and wellbeing of your dog
  • Contains only natural, 100% human-grade ingredients, thus providing a safe meal for adult dogs of all breeds 

Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Diet Chicken Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food 

Designed for dogs at all life stages, from puppyhood to old age, this is a protein and calorie-dense recipe aimed at promoting the optimal performance of dogs. The recipe features free-range chicken as the key ingredient combined with wholesome produce like quinoa, spinach, and sweet potatoes for a delicious, nutrient-packed meal for dogs.

Better still, this meal comes with limited ingredients, making it perfect for dogs with sensitive tummies or allergies to other proteins.

  • First 5 Ingredients: Dehydrated Chicken, Organic Quinoa, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Dehydrated Spinach, and Dried Parsley
  • Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 26% min, Crude Fat 16% min, Crude Fiber 6.3% Max.
  • Calories: 516 kcal/cup 
  • Suitable for which dogs: Adult dogs of all breeds 
  • Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level. 
  • Key Benefit: High protein and calorie-dense food for enhancing muscle growth and optimal performance
  • Type of product: Limited ingredient, Dehydrated, Human-grade, Non-GMO food 
  • Life stage: Adult 
  • Best for: Sensitive dogs
  • Price: $97.99 for a 40-lb bag 

Benefits

  • It’s made with just a few ingredients making it suitable for managing sensitivities.
  • Loaded with proteins and calories for healthy muscles and optimal performance of dogs
  • Offers complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all life stages and sizes
  • High-quality food containing 100% human-grade ingredients for maximum safety and health of dogs

What is the quality of ingredients in The Honest Kitchen Dog Food? 

The honest kitchen shines in terms of ingredients quality. This food brand utilizes only premium-quality ingredients, including real meats and wholesome organic grains. All its recipes start with real meat. It does not include low-quality ingredients and fillers such as corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or preservatives. 

Does The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Products include Chicken? 

Yes, Honest Kitchen offers various food products with chicken and chicken products as part of its ingredients list. It uses real cage-free chicken in many recipes as a good source of lean protein rich in nutrients. While chicken provides easily digestible proteins, it’s also a major cause of allergies in dogs.

Are The Honest Kitchen Dog Foods produced from slaughterhouse waste? 

No, Honest Kitchen uses only high-quality ingredients and does not include any slaughterhouse waste products in its foods. Slaughterhouse waste consists of the remains of dead animals after all the meat has been removed.

What are the full list of ingredients in The Honest Kitchen Dog Food?

These are some of the ingredients included in the Honest Kitchen Dog Food:

  • Chicken: Honest Kitchen includes chicken in many of its recipes. This source of lean proteins helps build healthy muscles in dogs. This brand uses cage-free chicken for maximum safety and nutrition.
  • Beef: The brand has many formulas that feature beef as the primary ingredient. Beef is a good source of proteins that supply amino acids necessary for the proper functioning of body cells and improved immune health.
  • Barley: Organic whole-grain barley is among the healthy grains the Honest Kitchen includes for carbohydrates. It’s also high in soluble and dietary, which aid digestion and help regulate blood sugar levels.
  • Pumpkin: This superfood packs lots of nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals like iron, manganese, and potassium. It’s also great for digestive health due to its high soluble fiber content.
  • Sweet potatoes: Besides boosting digestion, these tubers form good sources of vitamins A, B6, and C, plus many minerals.
  • Organic flaxseed: The Honest Kitchen includes flaxseed in most of its recipes for excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. This improves skin and coat health and boosts cognitive functioning in dogs.
  • Parsley: This is not only useful in keeping a dog’s breath fresh but also a good source of antioxidants, lycopene, and carotene.
  • Organic fruits:  The Honest Kitchen includes real organic fruits like papaya, cranberries, and blueberries. These are good sources of antioxidants and several vitamins, including vitamin C.

These are some of the ingredients included in the Honest Kitchen Dog Food:

IngredientAmount
Chicken29%
Barley48%
Dried Potato40%
Flaxseed24%
Oats47%
Carrots27%
Dried Peas27%

Read our article on Dog-Friendly Snacks That Your Frenchie will Love Anytime.

Customer Reviews 

The Honest Kitchen has received many positive reviews from its customers. However, like any other dog food brand, it has a few negative reviews. Check out what customers had to say about this dog food brand:

Positive

‘’A tried the Honest Kitchen dehydrated foods desperately to give my senior Westie some relief from her inflammatory bowel disease. Previously, I had tried multiple different flavors and brands of dry dog food, but nothing helped. Her symptoms cleared up within 2 days of starting her on The Honest Kitchen dehydrated foods. I was even able to take her completely off of her medication. Even her allergies seem to be improving. And the best part is that she loves the food. So far, I have tried the Fish, Chicken, and Turkey recipes. She licks her bowl until she cleans up every little bit of her food. I am very grateful to finally find food that keeps my girl comfortable’’

customer review

Negative

‘’We were so hopeful this would help with his itching, but he turned his nose up to it with every attempt and every trick we could think of to get him to try it. He went without eating for almost 24 hours before we caved and returned to his old food, which we know is the culprit. He’s back to fat and happy but itchy.’’

customer review

Where to buy The Honest Kitchen Dog Food 

is available from various online and physical pet stores across the USA, including Pet land, Homes Alive, Amazon, Chewy, and Pet Only, among many others. You can also purchase it directly from their website TheHonestKitchen.com

The Honest Kitchen Promotions & Discount

The Honest Kitchen offers several promotions and discounts to attract customers to its products. You can utilize these promos to help you make some savings. At the time of this review, it had the following promotions going on:

  • Online rewards Program
  • Save 5% when you subscribe
  • 20% off coupons on their products

The Honest Kitchen Recalls 

The Honest Kitchen initiated a voluntary recall of some of its foods in February 2013 on concerns of potential salmonella contamination. This was about its Verve, Zeal, and Thrive dog foods.

The contamination resulted from Parsley from an outside supplier forcing Honest Kitchen to recall the products that contained it as a precautionary measure. To avoid a repeat of the incidence, the brand sought a new supplier for the Parsley. 

To date, this dog food brand has not recorded any more recalls, which shows its commitment to maintaining the quality and safety of its products.

The Honest Kitchen Review: What We Like About It 

These are some of the things we like about the Honest Kitchen dog food:

  • High-quality, human-grade ingredients: The Honest Kitchen uses only premium, natural ingredients providing high-quality nutrition for dogs of all breeds and sizes.
  • Nutritionally complete and balanced: This dog food is formulated with real, fresh vegetables and fruits and wholesome grains for a well-balanced diet with all the nutrients that dogs require for optimal growth and performance.
  • Wide variety: The Honest Kitchen offers a variety of recipes to suit the needs of dogs at different life stages, breeds, and sizes. Customers can choose what suits their dogs best and allow them to offer variety to their dogs.
  • Adherence to AAFCO standards: All the formulas of Honest Kitchen are crafted to meet and exceed all the food guidelines set by AAFCO. This gives a guarantee of the quality and safety of the food.
  • Ideal for sensitive tummies: The food is formulated without including fillers like soy, wheat, corn, by-products, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, making it suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
  • Convenient: The honest kitchen comes in convenient packaging, making it easy to serve 
  • High in nutrients: The Honest Kitchen dog food ingredients are slightly cooked and dehydrated, thus retaining most nutrients and flavor. This also makes the food highly digestible.

The Honest Kitchen Review: What We Don’t Like About It

Just like any other dog food brand, The Honest Kitchen has its downsides, which include:

  • It’s quite pricey: This dog food comes at a high price compared to other brands and may not be thus affordable to some dog owners.
  • Some dogs may not like it: Since the food needs to be mixed with warm water before serving, some dogs may find the texture unappealing and not touch it.

Is The Honest Kitchen good food dog brand? 

Yes, Honest Kitchen is a good dog food brand as it uses high-quality ingredients in all its products. The brand uses real meats, organic fruits, and vegetables plus wholesome grains to provide nutritionally complete and balanced nutrition for dogs. It does not include fillers like soy, wheat, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Is The Honest Kitchen Dog Food good for dog skin? 

Yes, the Honest Kitchen dog food has foods designed to improve skin health. It includes omega fatty acids in some of its recipes which help to promote supple skin and a glamorous coat. Additionally, Honest Kitchen foods are rich in antioxidants from real fruits and vegetables, which are essential for the skin’s good health. 

Is The Honest Kitchen Dog Food good for itchy skin? 

Yes, this dog food is good for itchy skin as it’s completely free from soy, wheat, corn, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives that contribute to itchy skin resulting from food sensitivities. It also offers grain-free options that help manage adverse reactions, including itchy skin.

Is The Honest Kitchen Dog food good for puppies? 

Yes, the Honest Kitchen dog food is good for puppies. This dog food brand has formulas specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of growing puppies. It also offers recipes for puppies of different breeds. 

Is The Honest Kitchen Dog food good for older dogs? 

Since older dogs have unique needs, their diet should be formulated to address their specific needs. The Honest Kitchen offers various recipes specifically tailored for senior dogs’ needs.

Is The Honest Kitchen Dog Food healthy for dog’s growth? 

Yes, the Honest Kitchen brand provides nutritionally complete and well-balanced food with the right amounts of all necessary nutrients for optimal dog growth. It also includes only real ingredients that are slightly dehydrated for maximum nutrient retention. 

Is The Honest Kitchen Dog Food expensive? 

Yes, the Honest Kitchen dog food is quite pricey and may not fit most budgets. However, given the ingredients, this food is worth every penny as it provides high-quality dog nutrition.

Is The Honest Kitchen Raw?

No, the Honest Kitchen dog food is not raw. Ingredients, including real meat, are gently cooked at ideal temperatures before dehydrating. This ensures maximum flavor and nutrient retention.

Is The Honest Kitchen Dog Food AAFCO approved? 

Yes, all Honest Kitchen recipes are formulated to meet or exceed the quality, safety, and nutritional standards that are set by AAFCO. Additionally, the brand utilizes AAFCO-approved ingredients.

Is The Honest Kitchen Dog Food grain free? 

Honest Kitchen has grain-inclusive and grain-free recipes to cater to the needs of different dogs. It uses wholesome and organic grains like barley and oats.

Can you mix The Honest Kitchen with kibble? 

Yes, You can mix the Honest Kitchen dog food with kibble. However, you should not add any extras to the food as this may upset your dog’s tummy. It’s also important to avoid mixing during the transition time.

Does The Honest Kitchen have taurine? 

Yes, Honest Kitchen includes both meat-based and added human-grade taurine in its recipes. This nutrient is essential for improving various functions, including proper heart and fat digestion.

What is The Honest Kitchen’s Return Policy?

The Honest Kitchen requires you to return your order within 30 days after purchase. The products must be returned in their original packaging and should not be part of a limited-time promotion. Additionally, you’ll need to utilize the free shipping label provided.

To initiate a return, you are required to email questions@thehonestkitchen.com. With details of your order number, the product, and the reason for the return.

Is The Honest Kitchen Dog Food high energy for dog food? 

Yes, The Honest Kitchen Dog food includes good amounts of organic and wholesome grains in its recipes, making it high-energy dog food.

Is The Honest Kitchen Dog food produced in the USA? 

The Honest Kitchen dog food is made in California, USA. All products are sourced within the United States and around the globe, excluding China.

How is the Honest Kitchen Dog Food shipment speed? 

The Honest Kitchen has good shipment speed. It takes 4-5 business days to deliver your product after ordering. However, the brand does not ship outside the USA at the moment.

Comparable Brands 

While the Honest Kitchen is a premium dog food, it may not be suitable for all dogs for various reasons. In this case, you can check out the following brands similar to Honest Kitchen.

PetPlate

PetPlate is a premium dog food brand that produces nutritious meals for dogs using high-quality, human-grade prepared in USDA kitchens, flash frozen, and delivered right to your doorstep. The food is crafted by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and includes USDA meats plus organic fruits and vegetables.

Pro

  • Offers high-quality fresh dog food made with human-grade ingredients 
  • Nutritionally complete and balanced nutrition with all the necessary nutrients for optimal performance and health of dogs
  • Very convenient as it is delivered right to your doorstep

Cons 

  • It’s an expensive dog food option
  • It needs a lot of freezer space

Hungry Bark

Founded by Nick Molina, Hungry Bark makes customized kibble for dogs of all ages and breeds using high-quality, whole ingredients. These ingredients are slow-cooked to preserve their nutrients and flavor. The brand does not include by-products, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Pet nutritionists and veterinarians create hungry Bark’s recipes for completely balanced nutrition customized to fit your dog’s breed, size, health, and activity level.

Pros

  • It improves the dental health of dogs
  • Does not require refrigeration
  • It’s made with high-quality ingredients
  • Offers a nutritionally complete and balanced diet for dogs
  • Has both grain and grain-free options

Cons

  • It’s pricier than regular kibble
  • It’s not pre-portioned
  • Has high-carbohydrate levels.

The Farmers Dog

The Farmers Dog is a subscription-based service that delivers fresh dog food made with wholesome human-grade ingredients and specially tailored to suit your dog’s needs. All the meals come pre-portioned according to your dog’s weight, breed, and activity level.

What’s more, all recipes are formulated by a certified nutritionist to create balanced and nutritious meals for all dogs. Furthermore, all Farmer’s dog products meet or exceed AAFCO standards.

Pros

  • Offers personalized meals that are preportioned to meet your dog’s specific needs
  • Made with human-grade ingredients and does not include any fillers or preservatives
  • It’s easy to store

Cons

  • Requires refrigeration
  • Causes allergies in some dogs
  • Come in non-reusable packages

Read our article on 10 Best Fresh Dog Food for French Bulldogs

Is The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Worth it? Our Verdict 

Based on our review, the Honest Kitchen is worth it. This food is easy to make and provides high-quality nutrition made with real ingredients and no fillers, by-products, or preservatives.

While this dog food is not among the cheapest options available, it’s worth every penny as it offers nutritionally complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all ages. Better still, this brand offers a wide variety of products to meet the varied needs of different dogs.

If you are looking for a natural, holistic, healthy, and nutritious meal for your canine pal, we recommend you try this brand.

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