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The Honest Kitchen suits owners who want human-grade food they can buy in stores or online with a 90-day refund on site orders. It is a legitimate San Diego pet food maker founded in 2002 that sells human-grade dehydrated food, kibble-style clusters, wet food and toppers for dogs and cats, with prices published for every product. Its one recall was in February 2013, when five lots were pulled over parsley that might carry Salmonella. The catches: it costs more than most kibble, and its small Trustpilot profile flags recipe and texture changes and slow refunds.
- Company
- The Honest Kitchen, San Diego, CA; founded 2002 by Lucy Postins; Certified B Corporation since 20222
- Products
- Dehydrated (Wholemade) dog food, Whole Food Clusters and Essential Clusters kibble, wet stews, toppers, and dry, wet and dehydrated cat food1
- Price examples
- Whole Grain Chicken Whole Food Clusters $89.99 for 20 lb; Wholemade Whole Grain Beef & Oat dehydrated $94.99 for 10 lb (makes more food once water is added), as listed October 20261
- Shipping
- Free on US orders of $49 or more; $9 under $49; contiguous US4
- Returns
- Full refund within 90 days on site purchases if at least half the product is left; short-dated sale items are final3
- Recall history
- One recall: five lots of Verve, Zeal and Thrive in February 2013 over parsley from a supplier with possible Salmonella; no illnesses reported5
- BBB
- A-, not accredited; 4 complaints in the last 3 years6
- Trustpilot
- 2.7 out of 5 from 16 reviews; profile unclaimed7
Pros
- Human-grade food made in a human food facility, per the company
- Prices published for every product
- Dog and cat lines in several formats, including dehydrated
- Full refund within 90 days on site purchases
- One recall in more than 20 years, in 2013
Cons
- More expensive than most kibble
- Not BBB accredited (A- rating)
- Recent reviews mention recipe and texture changes
- Returns require at least half the product left; short-dated sale items are final
- Ingredients are sourced from the US and around the world, not only the US
Best for: Owners who want human-grade dog or cat food with published prices that they can buy in stores or online, including dehydrated food that stores in a pantry.
Skip it if: You're on a tight budget, or your pet does badly with recipe changes and you need a formula that rarely changes.
The Honest Kitchen vs. competitors
| Company | Main format | Published prices | Recall or withdrawal history | Satisfaction policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Honest Kitchen | Dehydrated, clusters, wet, toppers; dogs and cats | Yes, every product | One recall, 2013 | Full refund within 90 days on site orders |
| Open Farm | Kibble, RawMix, wet, freeze-dried, fresh frozen; dogs and cats | Yes, every product | No FDA recall; December 2024 withdrawal of select lots | 30-day guarantee on eligible recipes |
| The Farmer's Dog | Fresh frozen subscription; dogs only | No, about $2 a day minimum | None found | Refund if your dog won't eat it and you donate the food |
| Spot & Tango | UnKibble and fresh subscription; dogs only | Starting prices only | September 2022, four UnKibble batches | 14-day refund on first order |
The Honest Kitchen pricing at a glance
The Honest Kitchen prices on its own site, as listed October 20261
| Product | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Grain Chicken Whole Food Clusters (dog) | 20 lb | $89.99 |
| Grain Free Beef Whole Food Clusters (dog) | 20 lb | $119.99 |
| Whole Grain Chicken Essential Clusters (dog) | 20 lb | $79.99 |
| Wholemade Whole Grain Beef & Oat dehydrated (dog) | 10 lb | $94.99 |
| Wholemade Limited Ingredient Turkey dehydrated (dog) | 10 lb | $119.99 |
| One Pot Stew wet dog food | 6 x 10.5 oz | $25.74 to $28.14 |
| Grain Free Chicken Whole Food Clusters (cat) | 10 lb | $69.99 |
| Protein Plus toppers | 12 oz | $14.99 to $19.99 |
Dehydrated food is rehydrated with warm water, so a box makes more food by weight than its listed size. The site advertises 35% off a first subscription order with a code, and shipping is free over $49. Retail prices at stores may differ.
The Honest Kitchen, step by step
Pick a recipe
Choose by format, protein, grain-free or whole grain, and life stage. The site has a recipe quiz, and every product page lists its price.
Buy once or subscribe
Order on the site, subscribe for a discount, or buy at pet retailers that carry the brand.
Transition slowly
Mix the new food with the old over several days. For dehydrated food, add warm water and let it sit before serving.
Return if needed
Site purchases can be returned within 90 days for a full refund if at least half is left, using a free return label.
The Honest Kitchen legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Lucy Postins founded The Honest Kitchen in San Diego in 2002, starting with dehydrated food for her own dog. The company says it was the first human-grade pet food and that its food is made in a human food facility. It became a Certified B Corporation in 2022. It is privately held, and we found no reports of a sale.
The BBB rates it A- with 4 complaints in the last three years; it is not accredited. Its one recall was in February 2013: five lots of Verve, Zeal and Thrive were pulled after a supplier recalled parsley that might carry Salmonella. The company reported no illnesses, began steaming all dehydrated leafy greens and dropped the supplier.
The Honest Kitchen cost
Every product has a published price. As listed October 2026, a 20 lb bag of Whole Grain Chicken Whole Food Clusters is $89.99, the grain-free beef version is $119.99, and the budget Essential Clusters line starts at $79.99 for 20 lb. Wholemade dehydrated food runs $94.99 to $144.99 for a 10 lb box, which expands once you add water. Six cans of One Pot Stew cost $25.74 to $28.14.
Shipping is free on US orders of $49 or more and $9 below that. The site advertises 35% off a first subscription order with a code. Compare cost per day for your pet’s calorie needs, not price per bag.
What The Honest Kitchen sells
For dogs: Whole Food Clusters (a gently cooked kibble-style food), Essential Clusters, Protein Plus Clusters, Wholemade dehydrated food you rehydrate with water, One Pot Stew wet food and protein toppers. For cats: dry clusters, minced and pâté wet food, goat’s milk mousse and a dehydrated recipe. Lines include grain-free, whole grain, limited ingredient, puppy and senior recipes. The company says products are made in the USA with ingredients sourced from the US and around the world.
Check the AAFCO statement on the package for your pet’s life stage, and ask your vet before switching if your pet has a health condition.
What customers say about The Honest Kitchen
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Human-grade, minimally processed ingredients
- Dogs that enjoy the food, including picky eaters
- Long-time customers who have fed it for years
- Owners reporting better skin and coat
Common complaints
- Recipe, texture or packaging changes, such as dusty or crumbled clusters
- Dogs refusing food after a formula change
- Price increases
- Slow customer service and delayed refunds
- Trouble managing subscriptions online
Complaints and what customers report
Formal complaints are few: 4 at the BBB in three years. Trustpilot has only 16 reviews, unclaimed by the company, with a 2.7 score. The recurring complaints there are changes in recipe, texture or packaging, dogs refusing food after a formula change, price increases, slow refunds and trouble managing subscriptions. Positive reviews praise ingredient quality and say dogs enjoy the food.
When a bag looks or smells different from usual, contact the company with the lot number and keep the packaging.
Returns, refunds and subscriptions
If you bought on thehonestkitchen.com, you can get a full refund within 90 days, with a free return label, as long as at least half the product is left (at the rep’s discretion). Expired products can’t be returned, and short-dated sale items are final sale. For store purchases, ask the store. To request a return, email [email protected] with your order number or call 1-(866) 437-9729. Orders ship in 2 to 3 business days and arrive 3 to 5 business days after that.
Alternatives to The Honest Kitchen
- A complete and balanced kibble your vet recommends Costs less per calorie; human-grade sourcing is not required for a food to be complete and balanced.
- Open Farm Also publishes every price and sells kibble, wet and fresh food for dogs and cats, with a 30-day guarantee. Read review
- The Farmer's Dog Better if you want cooked fresh food portioned for your dog and delivered, with no prep. Read review
- Spot & Tango Its UnKibble is a shelf-stable fresh-style food with a published starting price of $1 a day. Read review
The Honest Kitchen reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
No reader reviews yet. If you have used The Honest Kitchen, yours will be the first.
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Frequently asked questions
Is The Honest Kitchen a good dog food?
It is a human-grade food with published prices and one recall in more than 20 years. Whether it suits your dog depends on the recipe, your dog's needs and your vet's advice.
Has The Honest Kitchen had a recall?
Yes, once. In February 2013 it recalled five lots of Verve, Zeal and Thrive because a supplier's parsley might have carried Salmonella; no illnesses were reported. We found no recalls since.
Where is The Honest Kitchen made?
The company says its food is made in the USA in a human food facility, with ingredients sourced from the US and around the world.
Who owns The Honest Kitchen?
It is a privately held company founded by Lucy Postins in 2002. We found no reports of a sale.
What does human grade mean?
Under AAFCO guidance, every ingredient and the finished food must be stored, handled, processed and transported to human food standards. It describes how food is made, not whether it is better for your pet.
How much should you budget for The Honest Kitchen?
A 20 lb bag of Whole Grain Chicken Whole Food Clusters is $89.99 and a 10 lb box of Wholemade Beef & Oat dehydrated food is $94.99, as listed October 2026. Shipping is free over $49.
Does The Honest Kitchen have a money-back guarantee?
Site purchases can be returned for a full refund within 90 days if at least half the product is left. Short-dated sale items are final.
Is The Honest Kitchen good for cats?
It sells dry, wet and dehydrated cat food. Check the AAFCO statement for your cat's life stage.
Where can I buy The Honest Kitchen?
On its website, by subscription or one-time order, and at pet retailers; the site has a store locator.
Is The Honest Kitchen BBB accredited?
No. The BBB rates it A- with 4 complaints in the last three years.
Sources (8)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- The Honest Kitchen: Product catalog and prices (accessed October 13, 2026)
- The Honest Kitchen: About us (accessed October 13, 2026)
- The Honest Kitchen: Returns (accessed October 13, 2026)
- The Honest Kitchen: Shipping (accessed October 13, 2026)
- The Honest Kitchen: Recall announcement, February 22, 2013 (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: The Honest Kitchen business profile (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: The Honest Kitchen reviews (accessed October 13, 2026)
- The Honest Kitchen: Our impact (B Corp) (accessed October 13, 2026)
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