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The Honest Kitchen Quickies

Product: The Honest Kitchen Quickies
Quantity: 2 oz tin
Price: $9.99 via THK site (here, and a special Valentine’s edition here; Valentine’s edition available in a case of 6 for $45, online special only)
Ingredient: Dehydrated haddock
Guaranteed analysis:

  • Crude Protein, Min 83.5%
  • Crude Fat, Min 0.85%
  • Crude Fiber, Max 0.75%
  • Moisture, Max 11.85%

Country of origin: Iceland; packed in the USA
Company information: The Honest Kitchen; 145, 14th Street; San Diego, CA 92101
Web Presence: TheHonestKitchen.com, on Facebook, Twitter, and elsewhere

Though I’m cynical enough to write off Valentine’s Day as a commercial holiday, I do think there’s merit to celebrating companionship in all its forms, not just in romantic, coupled, traditional terms. Indeed, there is much to be said for the enrichment that pets bring to human lives, and vice versa. One of the primary ways I express love and friendship is through food. Whether meticulously prepared in my kitchen or carefully selected in a store, food serves multiple, significant functions. Food not only nourishes our bodies, but also strengthens interpersonal bonds.

Grinning

This is something that the folks at The Honest Kitchen obviously understand, judging from the rather amorous names to their products. Their treats, in particular, revel unabashedly in the pleasures of little displays of affection — Nuzzles, Pecks, Smooches, etc.

So then what are Quickies all about?

Quickies demand a more concentrated, intense technique. There’s a degree of spontaneity and furtiveness that you don’t get with other, more noticeable displays of affection. It’s not something you gloat publicly about. That’s not the point. Rather, it’s something that you keep private, tucked away, a secret to be shared only between you and the most deserving of intimates.

Quickies

Translated in edible form, The Honest Kitchen got it exactly right: one tiny, pea-sized niblet of densely flavored, fishy goodness. Their Quickies training treats are made from a single ingredient, dehydrated haddock, and pressed into a heart shape. They have the texture of Smarties candies. I bet they provide a similarly potent burst of flavor.

Quickies

While I want to indulge the Bows, I have to regard these Quickies as a more special treat to be doled out as a super jackpot. At 1.1 kcal per treat, they’re not excessive by any means. But the shape and the texture make for a special feeding experience.

What I love the most about the Quickies is the packaging. I actually squealed when I opened up the box and saw the tiny canister inside. The tube has a convenient, pop-open tin lid, and fits comfortably into the front pocket of my pants.

Quickies in the pocket
Is that a tube of Quickies in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

Coolest thing about this packaging is that you can shake the canister and train your pets to respond by basic Pavlovian conditioning. As a fairly tasty, high value treat, it shouldn’t be hard to integrate this into your training regimen with just a few repetitions.

The Bows love these treats. No question there. And I am completely enamored by the special Valentine’s Day packaging, which conjures up all kinds of nostalgic remembrances from childhood. I kind of want to order these by the case (the Valentine’s Quickies are available in quantities of 6 for $45) and deliver them to all the dogs in my neighborhood… Maybe the cats too, since I think they’re appropriate across species. Now, if only I knew all their names.

Quickies

The only drawback about these treats is the price. Ten bucks seems like quite a lot for this little container… but let’s do the math here. 2 ounces is approximately 57 grams. At 1.1 kcal per treat, measured out at 333 kcal per 100 grams, we can say there’s about 190 kcal in this tiny little tin, or about ~170 treats.

Well, that sounds like quite a lot, actually! No, I didn’t do a proper count. And a couple weeks later, we’re still working on our first canister… but be warned that they can go pretty quickly.

So they’re not the most economical treats out there. That said, high quality, fish-based edibles tend to be more expensive in general, and are pretty few and far between. Quickies are worth trying at least once, because the packaging is worth saving. It’ll probably take us a month to finish our canister, and when they’re through, I’ll be holding onto the tube for a while yet.

After all, the Bows are coming to associate the rattle of that canister with the promise of a tasty tidbit.

Final Grade: A-

BONUS GIVEAWAY: We are giving away one 2 oz. canister of Quickies to a randomly chosen commenter who responds to the following question: Do you have a pet crush? That is, is there a cute pet you’ve noticed (any species) in your neighborhood, your group of friends, or even on social media? (It’s fine if your answer is no.) Just leave a comment by Thursday, February 13th, 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time for a chance at your own canister of Quickies.

Note: Winner must reside within the US or Canada. The Honest Kitchen provided us with two canisters of Quickies treats — one for review, and one for a giveaway. Opinions expressed in this post come from M.C. and the House of Two Bows.