Honest Kitchen pioneered human-grade pet food manufacture since 2002. Their approach to air-dried kibble offers an interesting alternative to traditional extruded kibbles. Let’s analyze their main recipes.
- No Corn, Soy, GMO : formulas avoid these common allergens.
- Added Taurine: Addresses concerns over cardiomyopathy in grain-free recipes and supports heart health.
- Rigorous Quality Control: Extensive testing protocols, including mycotoxin and microbiological tests.
- Probiotics
- Gentle Cooking Method: Air-dried at lower temperatures (60-70°C)
- Clean Ingredients: No GMOs, artificial additives, or fillers. 13.8M lbs of non-GMO produce used last year
- Human-Grade Meat: Ingredients not explicitly labeled as human-grade.
- Natural Preservatives Only
- Transparent Sourcing: 89% North American ingredients
- High Mineral Content: Concerning calcium and phosphorus levels.
- Higher Cost: The use of whole food ingredients and avoidance of synthetic additives likely results in a higher price point compared to conventional pet foods.
- Protein Content: The protein level (23 to 27%) may not be optimal for very active dogs or those needing higher protein diets.
- Higher Carbohydrate Content: Due to lower protein levels.
- Limited Omega-3 Content in two recipes
Honest Kitchen Dry Food Review Ratings
We will provide a detailed analysis of one recipe, followed by quick reviews of a few other recipes from the brand.
Honest Kitchen Grain Free Chicken Clusters
63/100
Ingredients
| Criteria | Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrate Levels | 🟠 Average (32.5%) | Can still be suitable for balanced nutrition, but should be monitored in less active dogs, those with diabetes, or those who are overweight. |
| Protein Levels | 🟠 Average (26%) | A protein content between 25% and 30% may be sufficient to maintain good general health in dogs. However, for breeds predisposed to dermatological problems, having significant muscle mass or being very active, a higher protein intake of high quality could be beneficial. |
| Protein-to-Calorie Ratio | 🟠 Average (68) | If your dog has moderate needs, this may be suitable. Provided these are good animal proteins. An acceptable range found in most dog kibble, with different interpretations depending on their nature. |
| Protein-to-Phosphorus Ratio | 🔴 Very Low (24) | A ratio this low indicates either poor protein quality or insufficient quantity. This would suggest there would be a lot of carcasses and bones which is not suitable for your dog’s health. |
| Protein-to-Ash Ratio | 🔴 Low (3) | Average to monitor. At this level, we can assume that the animal parts used are of fairly good quality. |
| Fat Levels | 🟢 Excellent (14.5%) | This is a rate in the current market average, it will suit most dogs. |
| Ash Content | 🔴 Unknown | High levels of minerals can cause imbalances and prove harmful to your dog. Such concentrations in kibble can lead to complications, |
| Fiber Levels | 🟠 Average (5%) | Starting from 4% we find typical rates of kibble that must lose weight or stabilize their blood sugar. |
| Moisture Levels | 🟢 Excellent (12%) | Normal humidity for dry food like kibble. Within the norm, which may indicate fairly respectful cooking. |
| Calcium Levels | 🔴 High (1.57%) | The rate is quite high. Specific cases such as certain breeds of growing puppies, nursing or pregnant females, or certain pathologies may require this type of rate. |
| Phosphorus Levels | 🟢 Good (1.07%) | The rate is still reasonable. Note that phosphorus in too high concentration can cause kidney problems in the long term. |
| Glycemic Index | 🔴 Poor | High GI foods in top 3 positions. High GI foods are digested and assimilated quickly by the dog’s body and thus create glycemic spikes. |
| Animal vs. Plant Protein | 🟠 Average (60-70%) | Animal proteins provide higher levels of taurine and carnitine and if the cooking process is gentle, require less additives. Dogs digest animal proteins more efficiently than plant proteins. |
| Quality of Animal Proteins | 🔴 To monitor | Given the high calcium content and relatively low protein content, this could indicate the inclusion of more bone than muscle. |
| Type of Preservatives | 🟢 Good | Natural preservatives used. |
| Manufacturing Location | 🟢 Good | Made in USDA-certified manufactories |
| Cooking Method | 🟢 Excellent | Air dried is a more respectful way of cooking kibbles than extrusion Extrusion is used by 95% of brands in the market. |
| Quality of Fats | 🟠 Average | – |
| Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio | 🟠 Average (1.47:1) | In the acceptable range, but the calcium seems a bit too present compared to phosphorus. The ideal dosage would rather be between 1:1 and 1.5:1 |
| Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio | 🟢 Excellent (2.51:1) | Considered optimal for dog health. It allows a good balance between essential fatty acids. This ratio is particularly beneficial for reducing inflammation. |
| Brand Transparency | 🟢🟢 Excellent | Honest Kitchen provides amino acid profiles and is transparent about its sources. Only the ash content is missing. |
| Veterinary-Formulated | 🟢 Good | Yes |
| Non-GMO Status | 🟢 Excellent | Verified GMO-free formula provides assurance about ingredient sourcing and quality. |
| Contains Corn, Gluten, Wheat | 🟢 Good | No use of corn, gluten, wheat, or soy, which is positive for digestibility. |
| Human-Grade Ingredients | 🟢 Good | The brand is known for using human grade ingredients in their formulations, which means all ingredients meet human consumption standards. This is one of their distinguishing features in the pet food market and contributes to their quality standards. |
| Organic Certification | 🔴 No | – |
| Scientific Research Backing | 🟢 Good | Honest kitchen conducted trials, see here. |
| Added Taurine | 🟢 Good | Yes, This is reassuring, especially in grain-free recipes. |
Honest Kitchen Grain Free Chicken Clusters for Puppies
68/100
The highest-scoring recipe in their line. Offers 27% protein and 16% fat, tailored for growth needs. The ash content is unknown and may indicates significant mineral presence, which could be concerning for developing bones. While the protein content is better than their adult formulas, it still falls short of premium puppy food standards. Good points include high-quality chicken as first ingredient and absence of artificial additives. However, mineral levels like calcium warrant monitoring, especially for large breed puppies.
Fat Content: 🟢 16%
Ash Content: Unknown
Fiber Content: 🟢 5%
Moisture Content: 🟢 12%
Calcium Content: 🔴 1.65%
Phosphorus Content: 🟢 1.12%
Metabolizable Energy: 3943 kcal/kg
Omega-3 Content: 1.67%
Omega-6 Content: 3.75%
Carbohydrate Content: 🟠 30%
Protein/Calorie Ratio: 68
Calcium/Phosphorus Ratio: 🔴 1.47
Animal Protein Content: 🟠 60-70%
High Glycemic Ingredients: 🔴 Top 3
Corn/Wheat/Soy Content: 🟢 Free
Chelated Minerals: 🟠 Mix
Honest Kitchen Grain Free Turkey Clusters
65/100
The best-performing adult formula with 26% protein and 14.5% fat.. Turkey as primary protein provides good amino acid profile. The recipe demonstrates the brand’s consistent approach to moderate protein levels. Benefits from turkey being a less common protein source, potentially good for sensitive dogs that needs hypoallergenic dry food. The fat content supports maintenance without excess calories.
Fat Content: 🟢 14.5%
Ash Content: Unknown
Fiber Content: 🟢 5%
Moisture Content: 🟢 12%
Calcium Content: 🟠 1.48%
Phosphorus Content: 🟢 1.02%
Metabolizable Energy: 3845 kcal/kg
Omega-3 Content: 1.21%
Omega-6 Content: 3.09%
Carbohydrate Content: 🟠 32.5%
Protein/Calorie Ratio: 68
Calcium/Phosphorus Ratio: 🔴 1.45
Animal Protein Content: 🟠 60-70%
High Glycemic Ingredients: 🔴 Top 3
Corn/Wheat/Soy Content: 🟢 Free
Chelated Minerals: 🟠 Mix
Honest kitchen Grain Free Chicken Clusters for Small Breeds
64/100
Adapted for smaller dogs with 26.5% protein and 15.5% fat. Higher fat content suits small breed metabolism. The calcium and phosphorus are a lower than other recipes, given smaller dogs’ more delicate skeletal structure. Protein level barely differs from standard formula despite small breeds’ typically higher protein needs. Kibble size appropriately reduced for small mouths.
Fat Content: 🟢 15.5%
Ash Content: Unknown
Fiber Content: 🟢 5%
Moisture Content: 🟢 12%
Calcium Content: 🟠 1.6%
Phosphorus Content: 🟢 1.1%
Metabolizable Energy: 3918 kcal/kg
Omega-3 Content: 1.63%
Omega-6 Content: 3.58%
Carbohydrate Content: 🟠 31%
Protein/Calorie Ratio: 68
Calcium/Phosphorus Ratio: 🔴 1.45
Animal Protein Content: 🟠 60-70%
High Glycemic Ingredients: 🔴 Top 3
Corn/Wheat/Soy Content: 🟢 Free
Chelated Minerals: 🟠 Mix
Honest kitchen Grain Free Beef Clusters
61/100
Fat Content: 🟢 14.5%
Ash Content: Unknown
Fiber Content: 🟢 5%
Moisture Content: 🟢 12%
Calcium Content: 🟠 1.5%
Phosphorus Content: 🟢 1.05%
Metabolizable Energy: 3884 kcal/kg
Omega-3 Content: 0.08%
Omega-6 Content: 0.53%
Carbohydrate Content: 🟠 32.5%
Protein/Calorie Ratio: 67
Calcium/Phosphorus Ratio: 🔴 1.43
Animal Protein Content: 🟠 60-70%
High Glycemic Ingredients: 🔴 Top 3
Corn/Wheat/Soy Content: 🟢 Free
Chelated Minerals: 🟠 Mix
The lowest-scoring grain-free adult recipe, despite having similar macronutrients (26% protein, 14.5% fat) to other formulas. The calcium content (1,5%) suggests an high amount of bone or bone meal in the protein ingredients. This high level, significantly above the recommended range of 1-1.2% for adult maintenance. It may stress the kidneys in the long term. It also give us a clue about protein quality that may be low. When combined with the modest 26% protein content, it raises concerns about the true digestible protein value, as bone-heavy ingredients can inflate protein numbers while providing less bioavailable amino acids. The fat content supports maintenance needs adequately.
Honest kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Clusters
56/100
The lowest scoring recipe in their range. With 24% protein and 14.5% fat, it falls below average for premium kibble. The inclusion of grains appears to dilute the protein density, resulting in a high carbohydrate content of 34.5%. Despite the lower protein content, we still find high ash content (10%) of the brand.
The calcium/phosphorus levels (1.31%/0.98%) are rather high relative to the protein content. The protein to calorie ratio of 62 is suboptimal. This formula relies more heavily on fats and carbohydrates for energy than protein.
The omega fatty acid profile (3.5% omega-6, 0.05% omega-3) shows an unbalanced ratio of 70:1, far from the ideal 5:1 or lower. This imbalance could promote inflammation rather than reduce it and you may need to supplement your dog with omega-3.
While whole grains can provide beneficial complex carbohydrates and fiber. But, in this case they seem to come at the cost of protein density. The 12% moisture content is standard for kibble. The overall nutritional profile suggests a maintenance diet best suited for less active adult dogs, but falls short of premium standards. Especially considering the price point.
Fat Content: 🟢 14.5%
Ash Content: Unknown
Fiber Content: 🟢 5%
Moisture Content: 🟢 12%
Calcium Content: 🟠 1.31%
Phosphorus Content: 🟢 0.98%
Metabolizable Energy: 3896 kcal/kg
Omega-3 Content: 0.05%
Omega-6 Content: 3.5%
Carbohydrate Content: 🟠 34.5%
Protein/Calorie Ratio: 62
Calcium/Phosphorus Ratio: 🟢 1.34
Animal Protein Content: 🟠 60-70%
High Glycemic Ingredients: 🔴 Top 3
Corn/Wheat/Soy Content: 🟢 Free
Chelated Minerals: 🟠 Mix
Our Opinion
It’s quite frustrating. Honest Kitchen outperforms 99% of Dry Food brands on the market by offering gentle cooking that preserves nutrients, providing very precise data about their food constituents, and carefully selecting their ingredient sources. And many other positive aspects! This brand could easily rank high in our Top Dry Food for dogs as other brands like Carna4 or A Pup Above However, there is a “but” – calcium levels are often quite high. Carbohydrate levels as well. If forced to choose, the Grain Free Turkey recipe seems to be the one that best minimizes all these pitfalls.
The dehydrated dog food range is also interesting, as adding water to the food will help dilute the dog’s urine and offer an even less processed diet.
