Protein Plus+ Clusters Grain-Free Beef & Chicken Dry Dog Food, 18-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
The Honest Kitchen Protein Plus+ Clusters is a grain-free dry food featuring beef, chicken, and beef liver.
This formula offers good protein quality, with beef providing solid amino acid coverage. It also includes quality fat sources, like named fat with marine oil, which is a good source of EPA and DHA. The inclusion of beef liver and egg adds diverse, highly bioavailable protein.
The ingredient list shows high legume stacking, with peas, lentils, and pea protein concentrate all appearing in the top 15. This is partially mitigated by the presence of beef liver, a natural taurine precursor.
Good fit for adult dogs who need a high-protein diet. Less ideal if you prefer foods without multiple legume ingredients.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
In its 2022 update on diet-associated DCM, the FDA identified Golden Retrievers as the most reported breed, with 121 cases out of 1,382 total canine reports (8.8%) received between January 1, 2014, and November 1, 2022 (FDA, 2022) . Good fit for adult Golden Retrievers and similar active sporting breeds navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Beef anchors position 1, with 3 pulse-family ingredients in the top 15 (peas at position 5, lentils at position 6, pea protein concentrate at position 7), plus beef liver at position 4 (a natural taurine precursor).
Looking at this for adult Golden Retrievers or Golden Retrievers with diet-associated DCM concerns ? We are building dedicated pages for these combinations.
Auto-matched from this product's measurements (ingredients, life stage, calorie density) to a breed archetype. Not a substitute for vet input on your specific dog.
Research informing this analysis
MethodologyThe Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.
- FDA, 2022cardiac · epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 5 claims
- FDA, 2019diet composition· cited in 2 claims
- NRC, 2006nutrient bioavailability
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
At 66/100, this formula lands in solid B territory. The lift comes from protein quality, worth 20 points to the final number: Reasonable protein quality. beef delivers solid amino acid coverage. Where it lost ground: controversial-ingredient penalty, costing 2 points. Contains high legume stacking. Multiple pulse-family ingredients in top 15. Mitigated by taurine supplementation or organ meat (natural taurine precursor) in top 10. The path to A-tier is about 9 points; controversial-ingredient penalty is the structural lever.
Reasonable protein quality. beef delivers solid amino acid coverage.
Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).
Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.
Contains high legume stacking. Multiple pulse-family ingredients in top 15. Mitigated by taurine supplementation or organ meat (natural taurine precursor) in top 10..
- Top 10% for protein quality in The Honest Kitchen's lineup (19.9/27)
- Bottom quartile for crude fiber in The Honest Kitchen's lineup (5.1% DMB)
- Top quartile for overall Sniff Score in The Honest Kitchen's lineup (66/100)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
Similar dog foods worth considering
Three lenses on products with formulation profiles similar to this one.
The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Grain-Free Lamb Dry Dog Food, 18-lb bag
Scores 5 points higher with a similar formulation profile.
The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Essential Clusters Whole Grain Turkey & Chicken Dry Dog Food, 20-lb bag
$4.31/lb vs your seed's $7.08/lb (39% less) at a comparable score.
Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1protein animalbeef
Real meat. Dense in protein and iron. Some dogs are sensitive to it, but for most it's an excellent base.
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2protein animalchicken
Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.
Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.
- 3vegetablepotato
Standard white potato. Steady carb source, common starch in grain-free recipes.
Position 3: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 4protein animalbeef liver
Organ meat. Among the most nutrient-dense ingredients available, rich in B vitamins, iron, and vitamin A.
Position 4. Named organ meat this high is a strong build choice. Concentrated source of taurine, glutamine, and B-vitamins.
- 5legumepeas
Cheap protein bulk. Fine in small amounts, but when peas stack with lentils and chickpeas in the top ingredients, it's the pattern the FDA flagged in its heart-disease investigation. See why →
Position 5. Within the FDA's top-5 DCM-pattern threshold. Especially notable if multiple pulses stack here.
- 6legumelentils
Same concern as peas. Affordable plant protein, but when they pile up in the top 5 ingredients, it's a flag. See why →
Position 6. Moderate inclusion. Contributes carbohydrate and some plant protein.
- 7pea protein concentrate
Position 7. Moderate inclusion. Contributes carbohydrate and some plant protein.
- 8fatflaxseed
Plant source of omega-3. Helpful for skin and coat, though dogs absorb omega-3 from fish more efficiently.
Position 8: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 9dried whey protein concentrate
- 10beef bone broth
Real bone broth. Adds flavor, moisture, and a small amount of collagen. Pleasant inclusion.
Position 10: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 11mineraldicalcium phosphate
Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.
- 12egg
Whole eggs. The highest-quality protein on any ingredient label, by amino acid score.
Position 12: trace protein. Likely there for amino-acid diversity or label appeal more than nutritional weight.
- 13protein animalchicken liver
Organ meat. Dense in protein, iron, vitamin A, and the B vitamins. Among the most nutrient-rich ingredients a dog can eat.
Position 13. Small organ inclusion. Functional but not a primary contributor to the protein profile.
- 14natural beef flavor
Position 14: trace protein. Likely there for amino-acid diversity or label appeal more than nutritional weight.
- 15vegetablepumpkin
Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.
Position 15: garnish-level inclusion. Marketing-prominent but minimal nutritional impact at this position.
- 16mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 17fatfish oil
Concentrated omega-3s. The reason 'EPA' and 'DHA' get to show up on the bag.
- 18supplementdried kelp
Natural source of iodine and trace minerals. A common premium-brand inclusion.
- 19supplementtaurine
Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.
- 20supplementcholine chloride
Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 21probioticdried bacillus coagulans fermentation product
Probiotic strain. More heat-stable than lactobacillus, which means more of it likely survives kibble processing.
- 22preservative naturalrosemary extract
Natural preservative. Replaces synthetic ones like BHA and BHT.
19 of 22 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.