Honest Kitchen Dog Food ... Ultimate Guide For The Dog Owner

Honest Kitchen Dog Food| The Who and The What …

The company was founded in 2002 by a lady named Lucy Postins. This lady and co-founder (video below) was a proud owner of a Rhodesian Ridgeback, a dog who suffered from frequent skin issues as well as painful ear infections. Lucy had a firm belief that a healthier diet would benefit her pooch and possibly eliminate theses skin and ear issues once and for all.

Lucy was not convinced that the dog food market offered her anything that would meet her needs so she decided to make her own. She made this food in her own kitchen and started her pet on the recipes she made from home. Lucy quickly discovered that her pooch was showing remarkable results with this new source of food, and realized other dog owners could do so as well. As a result, the Honest Kitchen became a reality in 2002.

So what does the Honest Kitchen have to offer? To answer this question, you really need to start from the beginning when Lucy was making her recipes right from her own kitchen. Over the years, the company would offer a variety of recipes, all based on what pet owners were asking for. To better illustrate this, let’s break down these recipes throughout the years of the company’s existence.

• 2002 – Dehydrated Whole Foods  
• 2003-2005 – Grain-free Recipes ( The FDA approved the term Human Grade for her recipes)
• 2006-2008 – Introduced a complete fish diet and grain-free turkey and beef meals
• 2009-2011 – Actually publish their first recipe book for pet owners 
• 2012-2014 – Launched a total of 7 new products
• 2015-2017 – Introduced another 7 new products
• 2018-2019 – Produced a dry food, with the safety and health benefits of 100% Human Grade. No prep work required!

What Is Dehydrated Dog Food?

Many of the recipes offered by Honest Kitchen are of the dehydrated variety. So what is dehydrated dog food? It’s a dry dog food, that is basically processed differently than the dry kibble you find in most dog foods. Honest Kitchen dehydrated dog food is processed in a manner that allows for the nutrients to be preserved and maintain its nutritional value. 

Removing as much moisture as possible is key to the dehydration process. By using this process, it is possible to lock in and maintain the nutrients within the ingredients. In addition, this process helps to preserve the food, giving it a much longer shelf life. The video below will give you a better understanding.

What Is Human Grade Dog Food?

Basically, the term human grade dog food is exactly what it appears to be. Dog food, in its finished product, is actually suitable and legal for human consumption as well. Now, I am not suggesting that you open a bag of Honest Kitchen dog food, pull out your fork from the kitchen drawer and enjoy the taste as your pooch would. 

The ingredients contained in the finished product are nutritious and edible for humans to consume, but keep in mind that this still dog food. Regulations put on human foods by the FDA and USDA are much more stringent than those regarding pet food. The FDA has approved the Honest Kitchen as a human grade feed.

Which Ingredients Are Used In Honest Kitchen Dog Food?

Before I get into the specific ingredients used in the Honest Kitchen recipes, it is important to point out the company’s belief when it comes to other pet food brands. The Honest Kitchen Company is not convinced that these other dog food brands are producing a natural and healthy recipe for pets.

They firmly feel that a human grade diet is the only way to ensure a safe, healthy and quality diet and produce their formulas based on this belief. Furthermore, the company believes that ingredients omitted from recipes is just as important as what actually is contained within a dog food recipe. Here is a list of those ingredients that are excluded from the company’s recipes.

1. No fillers or by-products
2. No wheat, corn or soy
3. No ‘4D’ meats or feathers
4. No GMO ingredients
5. No preservatives or additives
6. No ingredients from China

As you can see, Honest Kitchen strongly believes that these 6 ingredients area big ‘Thumbs Down’ that provide little to no benefits to our pets, and omit these from their recipes. In my opinion, many dog owners throughout the world express the same sentiments regarding these ingredients.

What Does Honest Kitchen Offer To Dog Owners?

The company offers a number of pet food options to their customers with a number of meals. As mentioned earlier, Honest Kitchen actually listens to the needs of dog owners, and produces recipes to meet these needs. Let’s break down these products below in detail to give you a better understanding of what this company offers. You can click on any of the product images for more details.

1. Dehydrated Grain Free Chicken Recipe Meal

          Benefits Include:

• Made with real free-range chicken with fruits and vegetables.
• Grain-free recipe without wheat, soy, corn or added sugars. Great for pooches with food sensitivities.
• The dehydration of whole foods secures the vitamins and minerals to ensure a quality nutrition.
• Contains no byproducts, preservatives, GMO ingredients, hormones or antibiotics.
• 100% human grade ingredients. Just add water to the formula and you are ready to go.
• Suitable for small, medium and large breeds.
• Available in 2 pound, 4 pound and 10 pound box.

2. Dehydrated Whole Grain Chicken Recipe Meal

                                                                         Benefits Include:

• Made with free-range chicken, garden produce and organic whole grain barley.
• AAFCO diet contains higher calories and proteins, great source for puppies, pregnant dogs and active adult dogs.
• Made with minimally processed, dehydrated, whole-food ingredients in the USA.
• Made without by-products, preservatives or GMO ingredients.
• Easy preparation, simply mix food with warm water, stir and serve.
• Available in 2 pound, 4 pound and 10 pound box.

3. Dehydrated Grain-Free Fruit & Veggie Base Mix

Benefits Include:

• Contains an antioxidant-rich selection of fruits and veggies. No prep work needed.
• 100% human-grade dog food base, just add your choice of meat and water.
• Grain-Free and Gluten-Free.
• Whole-food ingredients in the USA with minimal processing.
• Contains no by-products, GMO ingredients, or preservatives.
• Available in 3 pound, 7 pound, and 1.75 ounce cup, case of 12.

4. Dehydrated Whole Grain Turkey Recipe

                                                         Benefits Include:

• AAFCO complete recipe.
• Recipe contains  cage-free turkey, organic whole oats and garden produce.
• Moderate calories and proteins.
• No by-products, preservatives or GMO ingredients.
• Good choice for adult-dog maintenance and senior dogs.
• Available in 2 pound, 4 pound, 10 pound box and 1.75 ounce cup, case of 12.

5. Dehydrated Grain-Free Beef Recipe

Benefits Include:                                                       

• Wholesome meal for puppies and adult dogs.
• 100% real ranch raised beef with a healthy source of fruits and vegetables.
• No wheat, corn or soy.
• Human grade recipe.
•  No byproducts, preservatives, GMO ingredients, hormones or antibiotics.
• Available in 2 pound, 4 pound, 10 pound box and 1.75 ounce cup, case of 12.

6. Dehydrated Grain-Free Turkey Recipe

                                                 Benefits Include:

• Made with real free-range turkey, fruits and vegetables.
• Grain-free formula. No corn, wheat, or soy.
• Made in the USA with 100% human grade ingredients.
• Great for dogs with food sensitivities.
• Intended for puppies and adult dogs of all breeds and sizes.
• Available in 2 pound, 4 pound, 10 pound box and 1.75 ounce cup, case of 12.

7. Dehydrated Grain-Free Fish Recipe

                                            Benefits Include:

• Grain-free, gluten-free recipe made with wild-caught, Marine Stewardship Council-certified white fish. 
• High in protein and low in fat.
• No by-products, preservatives or GMO ingredients.
• Another great choice dogs with food sensitivities.
• Made with minimally processed, dehydrated, whole-food ingredients in the USA.
• Available in 4 and 10 pound box.

The Honest Kitchen Proper Toppers| What Are They?

Honest Kitchen also produces recipes that are known as toppers. So, what exactly is a topper? Like their meals, the toppers are dehydrated and only include 5 whole food ingredients. Each recipe contains 90% real meat with fruits and vegetables. These toppers can be used as treat, placed on top of your pet’s main meal, or as a whole meal.

These toppers are less expensive than the meals mentioned earlier. Their ‘cluster’ forms make it ideal for our four-legged companions to consume which also provides added vitamins and minerals. Simply click on each item below to check out these toppers for yourself. 

Proper Toppers Include:

1. Grain-Free Turkey
2. Grain-Free Chicken
3. Grain-Free Beef
4. Grain-Free Fish
5. Turkey & Pumpkin Stew
6. Chicken Stew Bone Broth
7. Turkey & Salmon Stew
8. Chicken Stew with Veggies

                                                  Check out the Proper Toppers video below:

Honest Kitchen Recipes|What Are Customers Saying?

If you were to take a look at what customers are saying regarding the Honest Kitchen recipes, I think you would be impressed. Dog owners who have used this product have given various reviews which are detailed below. Let’s take a look at a few of these now and start with reviews from Chewy customers who are providing feedback on the Dehydrated Grain-Free Chicken Recipe.

As you can see, 92% of dog owners would recommend this product with 82% giving this product a 5 star rating.

Now, let’s take a look at what Amazon customers have to say regarding the same recipe:

And finally, take a look at what PetFlow customers have to say about the Dehydrated Grain-Free Chicken Recipe. 

Based on the three customer review listed above, it seems evident to me that the majority of dog owners who have used this recipe are clearly satisfied with this product.

Honest Kitchen| What Else Does The Company Offer?

Other than the meals and toppers as were mentioned above, Honest Kitchen also offers a few other dog items that may be of interest to you. The company provides dog owners with a number of dog treats to choose from as well. Let’s take a look at some of these treats below:

1. Dehydrated Beams Ocean Wolfish Skins – These chew sticks, made from wild-caught fish skins, and ideal for dental health. Provides a solid source of protein a well.
2. Joyful Jerky Beef Filets – Made with all-natural beef, and appropriate for dogs with food sensitivities. Made with 100% human-grade ingredients and suitable for medium or large sized dogs.
3. Peck’s Grain-Free Beef & Blueberry Cookie Treats – Made from ranch-raised beef and vitamin-rich blueberries, bite-sized and great for training your pet. Just 8 calories per cookie.
4. Grain-Free Fish & Pumpkin Cookie Treats – Made from wild-caught fish and fiber-rich pumpkin, 8 calories per treat and also great for training your pooch.
5. Joyful Jerky Chicken Filets – Another great-tasting filet made with with all-natural, cage-free, and antibiotic-free chicken. Made with real, whole food ingredients.
6. Grain-Free Chicken & Cranberry Cookie Treats – Made with free-range chicken and cranberries and full of antioxidants. Bite-sized and great for training.
7. Nuzzles Grain-Free Duck & Cherry Cookie Treats – Made from cage-free duck and cherries, ideal for training or just showing some love. Only 8 calories per treat with a delicious taste.

Conclusion|My Thoughts

I certainly hope this article will give you a better understanding regarding the Honest Kitchen Company, its products, and other pertinent information. The company believes that dehydrated dog food will provide your pet with the best nutrition, and seems to have impressed dog owners with these products.

Very few dog food companies can make the claim that their recipes are in fact Human Grade, and contain ingredients that are suitable for human consumption. Furthermore, the company has eliminated those ingredients from their recipes including fillers, by-products, corn, soy, wheat, etc.

The real test comes with the dog owners who actually purchased and fed these recipes to their dogs. In the article, I listed 3 different sites with reviews where the Honest Kitchen recipes have been purchased. All three of these sites indicate that the product was indeed seen as one that would be highly recommended to other dog owners.

I am obviously a dog owner myself, and one that feels that a pet is part of the family. Keeping my dogs happy and healthy has always been of great importance to me, and I have done extensive research on the benefits of a natural, healthy dog food. A disclaimer here: I have not purchased or used the Honest Kitchen recipes myself.

With that said, and after researching this product, I fully intend to purchase one of these recipes in the near future. As the owner of an Afghan Hound myself, this is a type of meal that I am sure she would enjoy. I feel confident in knowing that she will be receiving a nutritious, healthy diet with human grade ingredients.

I will definitely be back to let you know my opinion on the Honest Kitchen recipe that I choose, and I would ask that you leave a comment below as well. Have you tried one of these recipes? Have you seen any changes in your pet? Would you recommend this product to other dog owners? What has been your experience? Feel free to comment below, and thank you for taking the time to view this article. I sincerely hope that it has been helpful!