Does anyone feed Honest Kitchen? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

my2boyz · 01-18-2011, 02:26 PM

I was just looking at their website and wondered if anyone here uses their foods? If so, would you recommend them...and which one?

I am home cooking again...but HK foods were recommended as a food that would give complete nutrition/supplements and I could alternate it with my home cooked foods and also use it when we travel.

I was looking at the Preference formula...you just ad the protein source to the mix.

Any opinions or recommendations??

bettyeanne · 01-18-2011, 05:28 PM

I have been feeding Toto HK Force for years. I add a little bit of minced carrot, green bean and boiled chicken and she loves it. Her vet is pleased with it too.

LuvMySissy · 01-18-2011, 05:34 PM

We've been using The Honest Kitchen for over 3 years now. Right now I'm primarily using Preference and adding steamed Talapia as a protein. We also use Zeal and Keen occasionally.

Have used all the formulas in our time with THK - my girls did not prfer the beef version, but liked everything else!

elle57 · 01-18-2011, 05:41 PM

i have been using honest kitchen for quite a few years now and add raw meat to it. i was told to stop using it because dogs do not need all those veggies and vitamins, they get it in the raw meat. not sure if this is true or not ?
sammy likes it

bettyeanne · 01-18-2011, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

We've been using The Honest Kitchen for over 3 years now. Right now I'm primarily using Preference and adding steamed Talapia as a protein. We also use Zeal and Keen occasionally.

Have used all the formulas in our time with THK - my girls did not prfer the beef version, but liked everything else!

Talapia is a great idea! Toto loves Salmon also. She would be as happy as a clam if I would let her eat only veggies and fruit. I tried Toto on all of them and Force is the only one that she really liked.

LuvTaycieGirl · 01-18-2011, 05:53 PM

I Love The Honest Kitchen! Unfortunetly, the second ingredient is Flaxseed (in every formula other then Zeal) and it cleaned her little system right out. She pooped one day a total of 8 times! I called HK and they were polite and agreed that some pets can not handle such large amounts. I was so bummed because I LOVE the company.

I want to try Zeal but I am starting to think Taycie may have a fish allergy... Not sure but a few weeks ago I gave her some Before Grain Salmon wet food.. no more then a Tablespoon mixed with her kibble and it gave her the worst runs I have EVER seen. Which is making me look at treats... I have Zukes Salmon treats and I thought her eyes were getting runny with those, and her poop was loose but not terrible. So I took her off of them for a week and WOW! she is a different dog... so along with flaxseed, fish seems to trigger something as well.

Heads Up:
I did have one of the HK nutritionist contact me and she advised not to feed Taycie the Thrive formula after a year because it contains 20% fat. She said that level of fat is too high and was worried it eventually could lead to pancretitis.

my2boyz · 01-18-2011, 06:17 PM

Thank you for the information everyone. I'm going to get a small bag tomorrow and see if it works for my little crew. I think I'm going to try the Preference at first. I'll alternate that with my home cooked food and see how they do.

LDMomma · 01-18-2011, 07:54 PM

We feed it in combination with raw meat and bones. We love it. In fact, the Lily in this month's newsletter is my Lily girl!

LDMomma · 01-18-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elle57

i have been using honest kitchen for quite a few years now and add raw meat to it. i was told to stop using it because dogs do not need all those veggies and vitamins, they get it in the raw meat. not sure if this is true or not ?
sammy likes it

They don't need the veggies/fruits but it doesn't harm them. Raw can be difficult if not done correctly. For this reason, some people find it preferable to add raw on top of Honest Kitchen since it is already balanced.

We feed HK because it's about the only thing my Lily can tolerate (as far as prepared foods go).

Wylie's Mom · 01-21-2011, 07:07 AM

Please be very, very careful when feeding Preference...it is the only formula of HK that is NOT AAFCO certified. This is an even bigger concern for developing puppies.

Here is what they point out on their website: "Preference is intended for supplemental feeding only, and has not been developed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles or provide a complete and balanced diet when fed alone."

my2boyz · 01-21-2011, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Please be very, very careful when feeding Preference...it is the only formula of HK that is NOT AAFCO certified. This is an even bigger concern for developing puppies.

Here is what they point out on their website: "Preference is intended for supplemental feeding only, and has not been developed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles or provide a complete and balanced diet when fed alone."

Thank you.

Yes, I did read that on the package and supplemental feeding is the reason I bought the Preference. I started home cooking but wanted something to combine or alternate with that until I find, and learn to properly mix, the correct supplements myself. Preference has the supplements they need...home cooked foods don't...so I alternate days with the 2 foods. Preference has fruits, veggies and supplements and all I need to do is add the protein source. I can also take Preference along when we travel so it will be easier than trying to keep home cooked foods fresh and ready to use.

On a side note...my girls loved it and had no change in digestion or potty habits...but Peanut wasn't so sure! When I put their first bowl down he looked at it and then looked at the girls as if to say "Are you guys gonna eat that?"...once he saw they were eating it he was fine but it didn't agree with him so well so I'll have to just add small amounts with his food until he gets used to it.

I know I can't continue to feed commercial dog food so I am trying to find the best path that works for my dogs, their health and our lifestyle. We had allergy tests done on Megan...she's sensitive to fish and milk products...both of which were in their current food and she was miserable but I didn't know the cause until after her test results came back. I stopped feeding that to them and started home cooking and she is like a new dog! No more itchy ears and no more anal gland issues...it stopped almost overnight...I can see the shine in her eyes again too where they looked dull before.

So, whether or not I stay with HK products or home cook and supplement myself, I will stay with home cooking this time because I can truly see the benefits already.

Ellie May · 01-21-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Please be very, very careful when feeding Preference...it is the only formula of HK that is NOT AAFCO certified. This is an even bigger concern for developing puppies.

Here is what they point out on their website: "Preference is intended for supplemental feeding only, and has not been developed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles or provide a complete and balanced diet when fed alone."

I totally agree with this.

my2boyz · 01-21-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I totally agree with this.

Hi Ellie May...I do too...did you read my reply? I explained how I am feeding the Preference.

I wanted to ask you a question too...since Megan is sensitive to fish what can I use to supplement for the Omega 3 and 6? Flaxseed?

Ellie May · 01-21-2011, 08:43 AM

Yes, but it is pretty much equivalent to unbalanced homecooked even with the protein (unless they are telling you that it is balanced with the protein added). And if you are just looking for vitamins for now, you can always add one.

Anyway,I would imagine the omega 3 wouldn't cause a problem even with a sensitivity to fish, but that would be a question for a nutritionist. But you don't have to use any of them at all. Is there a reason you don't want to just avoid them altogether? They aren't necessary.

my2boyz · 01-21-2011, 09:00 AM

Preference is a 'base mix' food so you add to it to make it complete...it is made to "bridge the gap between raw, home made and commercially prepared foods for pets"...that was taken from the box.

I have been led to believe that the Omegas are part of their neccessary supplementation...or is that a 'sales pitch'? I see them included in a lot of dog foods too. My vet recommended several supplements, a multi vitamin, pro biotics and digestive enzymes along with either the Omegas or Flaxseed to mix with a home cooked diet.

Is here a supplement I should be using for home cooking that would cover everything they need that may be lacking in their food?

01-18-2011, 02:26 PM	#1
my2boyz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :) Posts: 5,219	Does anyone feed Honest Kitchen? I was just looking at their website and wondered if anyone here uses their foods? If so, would you recommend them...and which one? I am home cooking again...but HK foods were recommended as a food that would give complete nutrition/supplements and I could alternate it with my home cooked foods and also use it when we travel. I was looking at the Preference formula...you just ad the protein source to the mix. Any opinions or recommendations??

01-18-2011, 05:28 PM	#2
bettyeanne Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama, etc. Posts: 9,031	I have been feeding Toto HK Force for years. I add a little bit of minced carrot, green bean and boiled chicken and she loves it. Her vet is pleased with it too. __________________ Toto's Mom - http://www.dogster.com/?206581 Yorkie Rescue Colorado - http://www.yorkierescuecolorado.com/ "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." -- Albert Einstein

01-18-2011, 05:34 PM	#3
LuvMySissy Luv my Angel, too! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: USA Posts: 9,333	We've been using The Honest Kitchen for over 3 years now. Right now I'm primarily using Preference and adding steamed Talapia as a protein. We also use Zeal and Keen occasionally. Have used all the formulas in our time with THK - my girls did not prfer the beef version, but liked everything else! __________________ Sissy & Angel

01-18-2011, 05:53 PM	#6
LuvTaycieGirl Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Salt Lake City UT,USA Posts: 2,726 Blog Entries: 1	I Love The Honest Kitchen! Unfortunetly, the second ingredient is Flaxseed (in every formula other then Zeal) and it cleaned her little system right out. She pooped one day a total of 8 times! I called HK and they were polite and agreed that some pets can not handle such large amounts. I was so bummed because I LOVE the company. I want to try Zeal but I am starting to think Taycie may have a fish allergy... Not sure but a few weeks ago I gave her some Before Grain Salmon wet food.. no more then a Tablespoon mixed with her kibble and it gave her the worst runs I have EVER seen. Which is making me look at treats... I have Zukes Salmon treats and I thought her eyes were getting runny with those, and her poop was loose but not terrible. So I took her off of them for a week and WOW! she is a different dog... so along with flaxseed, fish seems to trigger something as well. Heads Up: I did have one of the HK nutritionist contact me and she advised not to feed Taycie the Thrive formula after a year because it contains 20% fat. She said that level of fat is too high and was worried it eventually could lead to pancretitis. __________________ Emily and Taycie Love you little girl

01-21-2011, 07:07 AM	#10
Wylie's Mom Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 35,889 Blog Entries: 2	Please be very, very careful when feeding Preference...it is the only formula of HK that is NOT AAFCO certified. This is an even bigger concern for developing puppies. Here is what they point out on their website: "Preference is intended for supplemental feeding only, and has not been developed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles or provide a complete and balanced diet when fed alone." __________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann \| Pfeiffer \| Marcel Verdel Purcell \| Wylie \| Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨°

01-18-2011, 05:41 PM	#4
elle57 YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: douglaston ny Posts: 498	i have been using honest kitchen for quite a few years now and add raw meat to it. i was told to stop using it because dogs do not need all those veggies and vitamins, they get it in the raw meat. not sure if this is true or not ? sammy likes it

01-18-2011, 06:17 PM	#7
my2boyz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :) Posts: 5,219	Thank you for the information everyone. I'm going to get a small bag tomorrow and see if it works for my little crew. I think I'm going to try the Preference at first. I'll alternate that with my home cooked food and see how they do.

01-18-2011, 07:54 PM	#8
LDMomma YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FL Posts: 410	We feed it in combination with raw meat and bones. We love it. In fact, the Lily in this month's newsletter is my Lily girl!

01-21-2011, 08:43 AM	#14
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	Yes, but it is pretty much equivalent to unbalanced homecooked even with the protein (unless they are telling you that it is balanced with the protein added). And if you are just looking for vitamins for now, you can always add one. Anyway,I would imagine the omega 3 wouldn't cause a problem even with a sensitivity to fish, but that would be a question for a nutritionist. But you don't have to use any of them at all. Is there a reason you don't want to just avoid them altogether? They aren't necessary. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

01-21-2011, 09:00 AM	#15
my2boyz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :) Posts: 5,219	Preference is a 'base mix' food so you add to it to make it complete...it is made to "bridge the gap between raw, home made and commercially prepared foods for pets"...that was taken from the box. I have been led to believe that the Omegas are part of their neccessary supplementation...or is that a 'sales pitch'? I see them included in a lot of dog foods too. My vet recommended several supplements, a multi vitamin, pro biotics and digestive enzymes along with either the Omegas or Flaxseed to mix with a home cooked diet. Is here a supplement I should be using for home cooking that would cover everything they need that may be lacking in their food?