Honest Kitchen Protein Plus+ Clusters Review

Intro — why I tested this bag

I follow a few brands closely and I try to keep my kitchen stocked with options that actually improve my dogs' day-to-day. The Honest Kitchen's Protein Plus+ Clusters (Beef & Chicken) landed on my radar because it promises human‑grade ingredients, a different production method (cold‑pressed clusters rather than traditional high‑heat kibble), and a nutrition profile aimed at digestion, skin & coat, and heart health. I put a 4 lb bag through real life—mixing it into bowls, using it as training bites, and watching digestion, coat, and appetite over several weeks.

What it is — first look and product facts

This is a human‑grade, grain‑free dry dog food sold as bite‑sized “clusters” rather than standard extruded kibble. The listing calls out a MadeHonest process: cold pressing real, whole muscle and organ meats, roasting and gentle dehydration to preserve nutrients and flavor. The formula is labeled for adult dogs (and senior dogs are explicitly mentioned), and the product also states that it meets AAFCO profiles for all life stages.

Key product facts I used to test

• Brand / Manufacturer: The Honest Kitchen
• Flavor: Beef & Chicken
• Item form: dry clusters (scoop & serve)
• Bag weight: 4.1 pounds (unit count: 64 ounces)
• Made with human grade ingredients in a human food facility; crafted in the USA
• Grain‑free; no meat meals; no corn, wheat, or soy; not formulated with GMO ingredients
• Added functional ingredients: pumpkin and probiotics (Bacillus coagulans), fish oil and flaxseed for omegas, and taurine
• Designed to support digestion, skin & coat, and heart health

In daily use / hands‑on testing

My household routine tested this food in three main ways: as a straight meal, mixed into existing kibble, and as training/treat clusters. Across those modes I focused on palatability, digestibility, bowl behavior (does it get soggy?), and how dogs who are picky or high‑energy reacted.

Palatability

Right out of the bag the clusters have a stronger, fresher roast aroma than typical dry kibble. In my experience the dogs reacted eagerly—sniffing each cluster and treating them like high‑value bites. For picky eaters this formula performed very well; I used clusters for training and the dogs happily took them in session. Several long‑term observations echo that pickiness is often solved by the clusters’ flavor and texture.

Digestibility & stool quality

Introducing the clusters did not cause gut upset in my household. In fact, the recipe includes pumpkin and Bacillus coagulans probiotic to support digestion, and I saw stable stools while switching. A note from extended observations: some dogs experience more frequent bowel movements after switching—owners often interpret that as a healthy gut response, but it’s something to expect and accept if you switch to this product.

How it holds in the bowl

The clusters keep their texture in the bowl and don’t turn to mush immediately. The pieces are described as larger, uneven clusters rather than uniform kibble shapes; they’re lighter in color because of the cold‑press production. That makes them easy to scatter for training or sprinkle as a topper without instantly dissolving.

Mixing & portioning in real life

I frequently used the Honest Kitchen clusters mixed with another dry diet. Dogs would often pick out the clusters first. The listing provides granular feeding guidelines by body weight and activity level; you divide the daily allowance into two servings and always offer fresh water. For picky eaters or supplementing higher activity dogs, mixing a portion of these clusters into the bowl is a pragmatic approach.

Ingredients & formulation — materials (food) and processing

Here’s where this formula differentiates itself: ingredient selection plus the production method.

What’s in the bag

• Primary proteins: beef, chicken, beef liver, chicken liver, egg, dried whey protein concentrate
• Carb and fiber sources: potatoes, peas, lentils, pumpkin
• Essential fats and functional oils: fish oil, flaxseed
• Supplements: taurine, chelated minerals, mixed tocopherols (natural preservative), Bacillus coagulans probiotic

The guaranteed analysis lists: crude protein 32.0% min, crude fat 17.0% min, crude fiber 4.5% max, moisture 12.0% max, omega‑6 1.5% min, omega‑3 1.0% min, taurine 0.15% min, and probiotics at 20,000,000 CFU/lb. The formula is grain‑free and explicitly contains no meat meals or common fillers like corn/wheat/soy. Ingredients are cold‑pressed into clusters, roasted, and gently dehydrated to retain aroma and nutrients according to the product description.

Why the processing method matters

Cold‑pressing and gentle roasting—rather than high‑temperature extrusion—produces clusters that feel less processed. That manifests as lighter colored pieces and variable cluster sizes. From a texture and smell standpoint, this makes the product more appealing to many dogs, and it also explains why people describe it as closer to ‘‘real food’’ than standard kibble.

Safety considerations

Pet safety is my first filter when trying any food. The Honest Kitchen brand and this formula raise several positives and a few watch points:

• Positives
  • Human grade ingredients and production in a human food facility suggest stricter quality controls than feed‑grade facilities (per listing language).
  • Added taurine and chelated minerals are thoughtful given grain‑free formulations and current concerns about heart health.
  • Probiotic (Bacillus coagulans) and pumpkin are included to support digestion.
• Watch points
  • Legume content (peas, lentils, pea protein) is notable. While the formula includes taurine, legumes are common in grain‑free diets and are flagged in the listing as an item to monitor in dogs with heart risk.
  • Multiple protein sources and whey protein mean this isn’t ideal if you’re trying to limit exposures for a dog with specific food sensitivities.
  • The presence of dried whey protein concentrate makes the food unsuitable for dogs with dairy sensitivities, per product notes.
  • Calories, storage life, and exact portion density aren’t spelled out beyond the feeding cup table; follow the provided feeding guidelines and check freshness after opening.

If your dog has diagnosed heart disease, known protein sensitivities, or a very sensitive GI tract, consult a qualified professional before switching. The product itself includes taurine and meets AAFCO profiles for all life stages, but individual medical decisions need a pro’s input.

Cleaning, storage, and practical upkeep

The listing doesn’t give specific sealed‑bag storage instructions beyond standard expectations for dry food. Because the clusters are lightly dehydrated, I store opened bags in a cool, dark spot and use an airtight container to maintain crispness. The 4.1 lb bag works nicely as a try‑me size or for single‑dog households; if you have multiple dogs you’ll go through it fast and may want larger quantities.

Who this is for — and who should skip it

Who I recommend this to

• Owners who want a human‑grade, minimally processed dry food made in a human food facility.
• Dogs that are picky eaters—dogs in my experience reacted strongly to the clusters’ aroma and texture.
• Active adult dogs or seniors who benefit from a higher‑protein diet; the formula lists 32% crude protein and includes organ meats, eggs, and whey as protein sources.
• Families prioritizing digestive support—pumpkin and a probiotic strain (Bacillus coagulans) are included specifically for digestion.
• People who want to use a dry food as a training aid or topper—the clusters are tasty and hold up in sessions.

Who should probably skip it

• Dogs with confirmed legume sensitivity or dogs on diets where legumes are restricted; this formula contains peas, lentils, and pea protein.
• Dogs with dairy intolerance—whey protein concentrate is an ingredient.
• Budget‑conscious multi‑dog households that need a daily, low‑cost staple—this is positioned as a premium, human‑grade dry food.
• Any dog on a professionalerinary or prescription diet—always check with a professional before mixing or switching.

Value & packaging

The bag I tested is a 4.1 lb package described in the product specs. The listing emphasizes human‑grade sourcing, no meat meals, no fillers like corn/wheat/soy, and no GMO ingredients. Those attributes are reflected in the ingredient selection and the production method. Whether that value is worth it for your household will depend on your budget and priorities: many owners love the quality and palatability, while some find it a treat or occasional rotation rather than a long‑term only food because of cost considerations.

Verdict — my take

The Honest Kitchen Protein Plus+ Clusters (Beef & Chicken) are a thoughtfully formulated, human‑grade, grain‑free dry food that earns high marks for palatability, ingredient transparency, and digestive supports. The cold‑pressed cluster format is different from typical kibble and that processing shows up in smell, texture, and how dogs respond. If you want a premium, minimally processed dry diet and are feeding one or two dogs, this is an excellent option to try.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Make sure your dog doesn’t have sensitivities to legumes (peas, lentils) or dairy (whey protein).
• Confirm life‑stage needs—listing says adult & senior and the product meets AAFCO profiles for all life stages (including growth of large‑breed puppies).
• Decide whether a 4.1 lb bag makes sense for your household (try before committing to larger quantities).
• Plan on how you’ll introduce it—mixing with current food and following the feeding table is recommended; divide daily food into two servings and provide fresh water.
• If your dog has a heart condition or special medical needs, check with a qualified professional; the formula includes taurine but legumes are present and should be monitored.

Final call

I’ll keep a bag of these clusters in my pantry for picky sessions, as a topper when I want to spoil the dogs a little, and as an occasional primary meal for dogs that do well on a high‑protein, grain‑free diet. It’s not a budget buy for most families, but for dogs that respond to the flavor and for owners who prioritize human‑grade ingredients and minimal processing, it’s a solid, well‑designed product.

Packaging artwork / available flavors

Image filenames suggest the product is presented in flavor‑specific packaging. Available flavors noted in the listing include:

• Beef & Chicken (packaging)
• Chicken (packaging)

Detailed pros & cons (quick reference)

• Pros
  • Human grade ingredients; made in a human food facility.
  • Cold‑pressed clusters with real muscle and organ meats; highly palatable.
  • Includes pumpkin and Bacillus coagulans for digestion, plus fish oil and flaxseed for omegas and taurine for heart support.
  • Meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
• Cons
  • Contains legumes and pea protein—monitor in dogs with heart risk or legume sensitivities.
  • Contains dried whey protein concentrate—avoid if dairy‑intolerant.
  • Positioned as a premium product, so cost may be a deciding factor for multi‑dog homes.