The Honest Kitchen – At A Glance

Since 2002, The Honest Kitchen has been pioneering the human-grade pet food movement, long before fresh food delivery became trendy. Founded by Lucy Postins when her dog experienced recurring health issues, the company set out to answer a simple question: why should pet food standards be lower than human food standards? This mission has driven The Honest Kitchen to become the first pet food company to achieve human-grade certification from the FDA for their entire product line.

The Honest Kitchen’s approach is refreshingly different from other premium dog food brands. Instead of frozen fresh food or traditional kibble, they use gentle dehydration to preserve nutrients while creating shelf-stable meals that require no refrigeration. This process removes moisture at low temperatures, maintaining the nutritional integrity and natural flavors of whole food ingredients while eliminating the need for artificial preservatives.

Recipes

The Honest Kitchen offers an impressive array of options across multiple product lines, ensuring there’s something for virtually every dog’s needs. Their dehydrated food line includes Whole Grain recipes featuring organic barley and oats, Grain-Free options for dogs with sensitivities, Limited Ingredient formulas for elimination diets, and Gourmet Grains recipes that combine novel proteins.

Product Lines:

• Dehydrated Dog Food: The flagship line featuring 17 different recipes across four categories
• Whole Food Clusters: A dry kibble alternative that’s cold-pressed, roasted, and air-dried
• Base Mixes: Fruit and vegetable blends designed for pet owners who want to add their own protein
• Pour Overs: Nutritious gravies and toppers to enhance any meal

Ingredients

Every Honest Kitchen recipe starts with real, recognizable ingredients you’d find in your own kitchen. Proteins include free-range chicken, grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, and cage-free turkey, all sourced from trusted suppliers. Organic grains like oats and barley provide wholesome carbohydrates, while vegetables such as carrots, peas, and sweet potatoes contribute essential vitamins and minerals.

The dehydration process occurs at temperatures below 104°F for most ingredients, technically keeping them raw while achieving the necessary safety standards for pathogenic bacteria elimination. This gentle process preserves heat-sensitive nutrients like enzymes and vitamins that are often destroyed during traditional high-heat kibble manufacturing.

Nutritional Value

The Honest Kitchen’s nutritional profiles vary by recipe to accommodate different dietary needs. Their Whole Grain Chicken recipe provides 26% crude protein and 15% crude fat on a dry matter basis, while the Grain-Free Chicken offers 32% crude protein and 17% crude fat. These protein levels are significantly higher than many traditional kibbles, providing excellent nutrition for active dogs.

What sets The Honest Kitchen apart is their commitment to proven nutritional adequacy. The company completed comprehensive in-home AAFCO feeding trials that went far beyond standard requirements, including 86 blood work analyses compared to the typical four, echocardiograms for heart health assessment, and extensive monitoring of overall wellness markers.

How it works?

The Honest Kitchen’s dehydrated food is incredibly simple to prepare. Each 10-pound box makes 40 pounds of ready-to-serve food when rehydrated – just add warm water, stir, and wait three minutes. The 4:1 expansion ratio means you’re getting exceptional value and convenience in a compact package that’s perfect for travel or small storage spaces.

Preparation Steps:

1. Measure the appropriate amount of dehydrated food based on your dog’s weight
2. Add warm water using a 1:1 ratio (1 cup food to 1 cup water)
3. Mix thoroughly and let sit for 3-5 minutes until fully rehydrated
4. Serve at room temperature or slightly warm

The Whole Food Clusters require no preparation – simply serve like traditional kibble. These clusters are made using a unique process that cold-presses ingredients, roasts them briefly, then air-dries at low temperatures to preserve nutrients while creating a convenient, shelf-stable food.

For maximum flexibility, The Honest Kitchen doesn’t require subscriptions. You can purchase from their website with optional autoship savings, or find their products in over 9,000 retail locations including Petco, PetSmart, Whole Foods, Amazon, and Chewy.

Pricing

The Honest Kitchen offers exceptional value compared to fresh food delivery services while maintaining human-grade quality. A 10-pound box of dehydrated food typically costs between $80-120 depending on the recipe, making 40 pounds of ready-to-serve meals. This translates to approximately $2.62 per day for a 30-pound dog, or about $78 per month – significantly less than most fresh food services.

Cost Comparison:

• Dehydrated Food: ~$2.62/day for 30 lb dog ($78/month)
• Whole Food Clusters: ~$2.20/day for 30 lb dog ($66/month)
• Fresh Food Services: ~$4.50-7.00/day for 30 lb dog ($135-210/month)

The company offers several ways to save money:

• First-time customers: 25% off with code SUBSCRIBENOW
• Subscription savings: 5% off every autoship order
• Loyalty rewards: Earn points toward free food with every purchase
• In-store program: Buy 12, get 1 free at participating retailers

Shipping

The Honest Kitchen’s shelf-stable products ship via standard ground transportation, eliminating the need for expensive refrigerated shipping or dry ice. This not only reduces costs but also environmental impact compared to frozen food services.

Orders typically ship within 1-2 business days, and the compact size of dehydrated food means lower shipping costs and easier handling. The 18-month shelf life provides excellent flexibility for stocking up during sales or ensuring you never run out of food.

For customers who prefer in-store shopping, The Honest Kitchen maintains widespread retail availability, making it easy to purchase food during regular shopping trips without waiting for deliveries.

Customer Support

The Honest Kitchen provides comprehensive customer support through multiple channels including phone, email, and live chat. Their website features extensive educational resources about dehydrated food benefits, feeding guidelines, and transition tips for dogs switching from kibble.

The company’s commitment to transparency is evident in their detailed ingredient sourcing information and willingness to answer questions about their manufacturing processes. They regularly share updates about their AAFCO feeding trials, sustainability initiatives, and new product developments.

Customer reviews are generally positive, with many pet owners praising the convenience, quality, and value of The Honest Kitchen products. The main complaints typically center around the preparation time required for dehydrated food and some dogs’ initial reluctance to try the different texture.

Before this ends…

The Honest Kitchen represents an excellent middle ground between traditional kibble and premium fresh food services. Their human-grade dehydrated meals provide exceptional nutrition and convenience at a fraction of the cost of frozen fresh food, making high-quality nutrition accessible to more pet owners.

The extensive recipe variety, proven nutritional adequacy through rigorous feeding trials, and flexible purchasing options make The Honest Kitchen particularly appealing for pet owners seeking premium nutrition without the premium price tag. The shelf-stable nature of their products eliminates storage concerns and makes them perfect for travel or emergency preparedness.

However, some dogs may need time to adjust to the texture and preparation routine of dehydrated food. The three-minute rehydration time, while minimal, does require more effort than simply scooping kibble. For pet owners willing to invest a few extra minutes in meal preparation, The Honest Kitchen delivers outstanding value and nutrition that bridges the gap between convenience and quality.