The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Chicken Whole Food Clusters for Small Breeds
Dry Cold Pressed complete
Is The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Chicken Whole Food Clusters for Small Breeds a good dog food?
We score it 52/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Why this score?
The overall score for this product is 52 out of 100. Undeclared ingredient shares, meaning ingredients without printed percentages, contributed -10.6 points. The overall quality of the ingredient list added +6.7 points. The processing format contributed -6.7 points, and being labelled nutritionally complete contributed +2.3 points.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
- Recipe52
- Nutritionallow100
- Transparency55
- Safety100
- Evidencemoderate100
The Recipe score measures how attractive and transparent the declared ingredient list is. It is not, by itself, proof that the food is nutritionally appropriate for long-term feeding. The Nutritional and Evidence scores measure what we can verify towards that stronger claim.
Why you might choose it
- Doesn't list grain ingredients.
- Nutritionally complete: formulated to be fed as the whole diet.
Why you might not
- Meat makes up an estimated 8% of the dry matter (17% as fed); carbohydrates dominate.
- 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.
Estimated composition
Typical analysis (as fed)
- Protein
- 26.50%
- Fat
- 15.50%
- Fibre
- 5%
- Moisture
- 12%
Additives & feeding info
Nutritional additives
vitamin A supplement; vitamin D3 supplement; vitamin E supplement; thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1); riboflavin (vitamin B2); calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5); pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6); folic acid; vitamin B12 supplement; niacin supplement; taurine; iron amino acid chelate; copper amino acid chelate; manganese amino acid chelate; zinc amino acid chelate; sodium selenite; choline chloride; L-carnitine
Technological additives
mixed tocopherols (preservative); rosemary extract
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place. Remains fresh until the Best By date stamped on the back of the bag whether opened or sealed. Shelf life is 18 months from MFG date.
Feeding guide
Serve as a complete meal, pair with a topper, or use as training treats. Clusters may be soaked in water to soften them.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for all lifestages
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at small dogs
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish oil
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Use the homepage filter to find foods that fit your dog.
Ingredients (28)
| # | As declared | Matched | Category | Tier | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicken | Chicken | meat | medium | - | 4.7 |
| 2 | peas | Peas | veg | medium | - | 4.6 |
| 3 | potatoes | Potatoes | carb | medium | - | 4.5 |
| 4 | lentils | Lentils | veg | medium | - | 4.5 |
| 5 | flaxseed | Linseed | veg | good | - | 4.4 |
| 6 | chicken liver | Chicken Liver | meat | good | - | 4.3 |
| 7 | carrots | Carrots | veg | good | - | 4.2 |
| 8 | coconut oil | Coconut Oil | oil | medium | - | 4.1 |
| 9 | tricalcium phosphate | Tricalcium phosphate | supplement | good | - | 4.0 |
| 10 | natural chicken flavor | Chicken | meat | medium | - | 3.9 |
| 11 | eggs | Egg | meat | good | - | 3.9 |
| 12 | salt | Salt | additive | medium | - | 3.8 |
| 13 | fish oil | Fish Oil | oil | good | - | 3.7 |
| 14 | broccoli | Broccoli | veg | good | - | 3.6 |
| 15 | pumpkin | Pumpkin | veg | good | - | 3.5 |
| 16 | apples | Apples | veg | good | - | 3.4 |
| 17 | vitamins [vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, niacin supplement] | Pyridoxine hydrochloride | supplement | good | - | 3.4 |
| 18 | taurine | Taurine | supplement | good | - | 3.3 |
| 19 | minerals [iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, sodium selenite] | Sodium selenite | supplement | poor | - | 3.2 |
| 20 | choline chloride | Choline | supplement | good | - | 3.1 |
| 21 | mixed tocopherols (preservative) | Tocopherols | additive | good | - | 3.0 |
| 22 | kale | Kale | veg | good | - | 2.9 |
| 23 | dried kelp | Kelp | veg | good | - | 2.9 |
| 24 | chia seed | Chia Seeds | veg | good | - | 2.8 |
| 25 | turmeric | Turmeric | veg | good | - | 2.7 |
| 26 | L-carnitine | L-Carnitine | supplement | medium | - | 2.6 |
| 27 | dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product | Dried Bacillus coagulans fermentation product | supplement | good | - | 2.5 |
| 28 | rosemary extract. | Rosemary | veg | good | - | 2.4 |
Brand
- Contact page
- www.thehonestkitchen.com
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-12
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.thehonestkitchen.com
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Scored with model v3 on 2026-09-26. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.69 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.0% | -0.115 | -0.23 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 13.9% | -0.092 | -1.28 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 28.3% | -0.005 | -0.15 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 11.0% | 0.163 | +1.79 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 36.4% | -0.012 | -0.44 |
| Recipe graded poor | 3.2% | -0.065 | -0.21 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 3.2% | 0.060 | +0.19 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -8.24 | 0.222 | -1.83 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 33.786 | +33.79 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.69 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.0% | -0.115 | -0.23 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 13.9% | -0.092 | -1.28 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 28.3% | -0.005 | -0.15 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 11.0% | 0.163 | +1.79 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 36.4% | -0.012 | -0.44 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 3.2% | -0.065 | -0.21 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 3.2% | 0.060 | +0.19 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | no | 0.707 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | -8.24 | 0.222 | -1.83 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 33.786 | +33.79 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 52.2
- Final score
- 52/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 26.5 | 28.9 (band 18 to 40%) | 99.7 |
| Fat | 15.5 | 16.9 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 5 | 5.5 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
Scored over 3 declared nutrients (combined weight 50); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 8.3% from the food type.
Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file | 0/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) | 5/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
100/100 · moderate — 1 checkable claim: 1 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "complete meal" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
7 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Moderate: every checkable claim is consistent with the declared label.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crafted with a vet nutritionist to balance calories and promote a healthy weight. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| The first human grade dry dog food… now perfectly portioned for small dogs! (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| support overall wellness (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Roasted and dehydrated until golden. (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| No meat meals, GMO ingredients, artificial preservatives or fillers like corn, wheat or soy. (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| complete meal (on page) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Packed with human grade whole foods (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Cold-pressed into bite-sized clusters. (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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