Skip to content

6,000+ pet foods rated. Your best match, free in 30 seconds.

The Honest Kitchen vs Ultimates

The Honest Kitchen is made by The Honest Kitchen, Inc., and Ultimates by Sunshine Mills, Inc., and both make food for cats and dogs. On KibbleLab, The Honest Kitchen averages 8.2 out of 10 across its scored foods, compared with 7.9 for Ultimates. Ultimates's maker dates to 1947, while The Honest Kitchen's launched in 2002.

The Honest Kitchen and Ultimates compared

The Honest Kitchen Ultimates
Manufacturer The Honest Kitchen, Inc. Sunshine Mills, Inc.
Parent company Independent Independent
Founded 2002 1947
Headquarters San Diego, California, USA Red Bay, Alabama, USA
Products listed 86 14
Serves Cats & dogs Cats & dogs
Price tier A relative price guide, from $ (most affordable) to $$$$$ (most premium), based on the brand's typical retail cost.
$$$$$ $$$$
WSAVA guidelines The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer: qualified nutritionists on staff, feeding trials, and published research. It does not certify or endorse brands.
No No
PSC accredited The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification. It reflects sustainability practices, not food quality.
No No
Score The average KibbleLab score across this brand's scored foods, on a 0 to 10 scale. Foods are scored on published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score. How scoring works .
8.2 (avg of 86) 7.9 (avg of 14)
Recalls on record KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.
None None
Where to buy Amazon Amazon

Affiliate links · may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The Honest Kitchen vs Ultimates: how they compare

Scores

The Honest Kitchen scores higher on KibbleLab, averaging 8.2 out of 10 across 86 scored foods, compared with 7.9 across 14 for Ultimates. Scores apply the same criteria-based rubric to every food, drawn from published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score.

Who makes them

The Honest Kitchen is made by The Honest Kitchen, Inc., an independent maker, based in San Diego, California, USA, founded in 2002. Ultimates is made by Sunshine Mills, Inc., an independent maker, based in Red Bay, Alabama, USA, founded in 1947.

Standards and range

Neither meets WSAVA's published manufacturer criteria. KibbleLab lists 86 The Honest Kitchen foods and 14 Ultimates foods.

Not sure which is right for your pet?

Sign in free to see The Honest Kitchen and Ultimates scored for your pet's breed, age, and health focus, save favorites, and compare foods side by side.

Example foods

Common Questions

Which scores higher on KibbleLab, The Honest Kitchen or Ultimates?

The Honest Kitchen scores higher: it averages 8.2 out of 10 across 86 scored foods, compared with 7.9 for Ultimates. Scores reflect published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score.

Who makes The Honest Kitchen and Ultimates?

The Honest Kitchen is made by The Honest Kitchen, Inc. Ultimates is made by Sunshine Mills, Inc.

Which brand has more products on KibbleLab?

The Honest Kitchen has 86 products in the KibbleLab database, compared with 14 for Ultimates.

Where is each brand based?

The Honest Kitchen is based in San Diego, California, USA. Ultimates is based in Red Bay, Alabama, USA.

Have The Honest Kitchen or Ultimates been recalled?

Neither The Honest Kitchen nor Ultimates has a recall on record in the KibbleLab database. KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.

See the full profiles: The Honest Kitchen and Ultimates .

More comparisons

KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

This is a neutral, factual comparison, not a ranking or an endorsement of either brand. KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through links. No one can pay for placement or a higher score.

Brand and manufacturer details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing. Recall data is compiled from public FDA and manufacturer notices, and a notice may name the parent company rather than the brand. KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.

KibbleLab scores and commentary are editorial opinions based on published data. Represent one of these brands? Request a correction. Anyone else can email us. See our Terms.