# The Honest Kitchen vs. Instinct: Who Wins?

Dog owners choosing between premium dog food brands face real differences in formulation, ingredient sourcing, and price. The Honest Kitchen and Instinct Raw Boost represent two distinct approaches to canine nutrition.

The Honest Kitchen specializes in human-grade ingredients and gently dehydrated recipes. The brand uses USDA beef, chicken, turkey, and pork sourced from ranches and farms. Their recipes avoid by-products, corn, wheat, and soy. Owners rehydrate the food with water before serving, which appeals to those seeking transparency in what their dogs eat. The brand's gently dehydrated process preserves nutrients while eliminating moisture that bacteria require.

Instinct Raw Boost takes a different path with freeze-dried raw meat pieces combined with kibble. The formula includes 95 percent meat, organs, and bone in each bite. Instinct Raw Boost caters to owners who want raw feeding benefits without handling raw meat directly. The freeze-drying process locks in nutrients and natural enzymes that some raw feeders believe benefit digestion.

Cost separates these options significantly. The Honest Kitchen typically runs $60-90 per month for a medium-sized dog. Instinct Raw Boost costs $80-130 monthly for the same size dog. Both brands exceed standard kibble prices by three to four times.

Digestibility differs between them. The Honest Kitchen's dehydrated format may suit dogs with sensitive stomachs since the cooking process removes potential pathogens. Instinct Raw Boost suits dogs that thrive on higher protein diets and whose owners want minimal processing.

Neither brand suits budget-conscious owners, but both deliver what they promise. The Honest Kitchen wins for transparency and digestibility support. Instinct Raw Boost wins for raw feeding