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The Honest Kitchen Protein Plus+ Clusters Grain-Free Beef & Chicken Dry Dog Food, 18-lb bag
The Honest Kitchen

Protein Plus+ Clusters Grain-Free Beef & Chicken Dry Dog Food, 18-lb bag

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
dry $7.08/lb

The Honest Kitchen Protein Plus+ Clusters Grain-Free Beef & Chicken Dry Dog Food, 18-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 66/100 (B) with Fair evidence. 1 controversial ingredient flagged. Reasonable protein quality. beef delivers solid amino acid coverage..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Reasonable protein quality. beef delivers solid amino acid coverage.

PQI

Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).

FQI

Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.

STACK

Contains high legume stacking. Multiple pulse-family ingredients in top 15. Mitigated by taurine supplementation or organ meat (natural taurine precursor) in top 10..

CIP
Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 36% ⓘ
Protein
32%
min (as fed)
Fat
17%
min (as fed)
Fiber
4.5%
max (as fed)
Moisture
12%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

22 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    beef

    Real meat. Dense in protein and iron. Some dogs are sensitive to it, but for most it's an excellent base.

  2. 2
    chicken

    Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

  3. 3
    potato

    Standard white potato. Steady carb source, common starch in grain-free recipes.

  4. 4
    beef liver

    Organ meat. Among the most nutrient-dense ingredients available, rich in B vitamins, iron, and vitamin A.

  5. 5
    peas

    Cheap protein bulk. Fine in small amounts, but when peas stack with lentils and chickpeas in the top ingredients, it's the pattern the FDA flagged in its heart-disease investigation. See why →

  6. 6
    lentils

    Same concern as peas. Affordable plant protein, but when they pile up in the top 5 ingredients, it's a flag. See why →

  7. 7
    pea protein concentrate
  8. 8
    flaxseed

    Plant source of omega-3. Helpful for skin and coat, though dogs absorb omega-3 from fish more efficiently.

  9. 9
    dried whey protein concentrate
  10. 10
    beef bone broth

    Real bone broth. Adds flavor, moisture, and a small amount of collagen. Pleasant inclusion.

  11. 11
    dicalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.

  12. 12
    egg

    Whole eggs. The highest-quality protein on any ingredient label, by amino acid score.

  13. 13
    chicken liver

    Organ meat. Dense in protein, iron, vitamin A, and the B vitamins. Among the most nutrient-rich ingredients a dog can eat.

  14. 14
    natural beef flavor
  15. 15
    pumpkin

    Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.

  16. 16
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  17. 17
    fish oil

    Concentrated omega-3s. The reason 'EPA' and 'DHA' get to show up on the bag.

  18. 18
    dried kelp

    Natural source of iodine and trace minerals. A common premium-brand inclusion.

  19. 19
    taurine

    Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.

  20. 20
    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  21. 21
    dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product

    Probiotic strain. More heat-stable than lactobacillus, which means more of it likely survives kibble processing.

  22. 22
    rosemary extract

    Natural preservative. Replaces synthetic ones like BHA and BHT.

19 of 22 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.