For dog owners navigating the challenges of feeding senior pets with specific dietary needs, The Honest Kitchen's dehydrated food offers a potential solution. The brand's approach to rehydrating ingredients and creating a soft mash makes it suitable for dogs who struggle with chewing.
Meeting the Needs of a Toothless Senior Dog
Mingo, a 14-year-old Chihuahua, presented a unique feeding challenge. Having lost all his teeth, his dietary options were already limited, and his pickiness further complicated meal times. Kibble was unsuitable, and many senior formulas remained too hard. This led to months of trial and error with various expensive foods, many of which were ultimately discarded.
The Honest Kitchen's products, including their Wholegrain Beef, Oat, and Salmon; Wholegrain Chicken, Oat, and Salmon Senior formula; Bone Broth Pour-Over Toppers; and Butcher Block Pâté, emerged as a consistent choice for Mingo. The dehydrated meals require adding warm water to a dry mix, which, after a three-minute wait, results in a soft, mash-like consistency that requires no chewing.
The company states that the proteins are cooked to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before dehydration. A 7-pound bag of dry mix yields approximately 28 pounds of food once rehydrated. While the recommended water amount is suggested, adding slightly more to create a soupier texture was also well-received by Mingo.
Recipe Variations and Nutritional Content
The Honest Kitchen offers several recipes, with price points varying between beef and chicken options. The Wholegrain Beef, Oat, and Salmon senior recipe costs $39.99 for a 2-pound bag and $89.99 for a 7-pound bag. The chicken version of the same formula is priced at $39.99 for 2 pounds and $79.99 for 7 pounds.
Key ingredients in the beef recipe include beef, oats, barley, flaxseed, potatoes, eggs, carrots, and salmon. The chicken recipe features chicken, barley, oats, potatoes, flaxseed, peas, and bananas. Both senior formulas are fortified with chondroitin sulfate, taurine, L-carnitine, fish oil for DHA, turmeric, and a probiotic to support joint health, brain function, heart health, and muscle retention. Each cup contains approximately 420 calories, with protein making up about 26.5%.
Toppers and Pâté Options
Complementary products like the Bone Broth Pour-Overs and Pumpkin Pour-Overs are also available. These toppers, priced at $33.48 for a case of twelve 5.5-ounce boxes, are designed to enhance palatability and hydration. The ingredient lists are short, with the beef bone broth option containing beef bone broth, beef, carrots, butternut squash, tapioca, and thyme.
The Butcher Block Pâté, specifically the Turkey and Autumn Veggies flavor, is presented as a complete wet food option. It costs $25.74 for six 10.5-ounce boxes. This pâté has a ground texture, thickened with agar-agar, and is formulated to be a full meal. The recommended serving size is just under one box per 10 pounds of body weight daily.
Cost Comparison and Value
While The Honest Kitchen is generally more expensive than traditional kibble, its cost can be competitive when compared to fresh food subscription services. A 7-pound bag of the beef senior recipe, when rehydrated and measured by daily serving for a small dog, can cost around $1.61 per day. This is comparable to, or less than, the daily cost of services like The Farmer's Dog or Ollie, which also require refrigeration and freezer space.
The smaller 2-pound bags are significantly more expensive per serving, making the larger bags a more economical choice for those whose dogs accept the food. The toppers, at $2.79 per box, can add a considerable amount to the monthly cost if used daily, but are positioned as occasional enhancements rather than staple components.
Conclusion for Senior and Picky Eaters
The Honest Kitchen's dehydrated food has proven to be a successful option for Mingo, addressing his challenges with chewing and pickiness. The brand offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, which can mitigate the risk for owners unsure if their pet will adapt to the food. For senior dogs or those with specific dietary sensitivities, the customizable texture and palatable recipes may justify the price point, especially when considering the alternative of food being rejected and wasted.