From Our Plate to Their Bowl: Pet Treats Get a Human-Grade Makeover

SAN DIEGO, CA – January 15, 2026 – In a move that perfectly captures the modern pet owner’s mindset, The Honest Kitchen, a pioneer in human-grade pet food, has announced a partnership with cult-favorite snack brand Moon Cheese. The collaboration introduces a new line of co-branded, cheese-based dog treats designed to mirror the snacks humans love, launching just in time for National Cheese Lover's Day on January 20th.

The new collection signifies a growing and powerful shift in the pet products industry, where the line between the owner's pantry and the pet's treat jar is becoming increasingly blurred. By joining forces, the two companies are betting that dog owners want to share not just their homes and lives with their pets, but their snacking experiences as well.

The Rise of 'Paw-cuterie' and Premium Snacking

This launch is not happening in a vacuum. It is a direct response to the powerful "pet humanization" trend, a cultural shift that sees pets treated as integral family members deserving of the same quality and care as anyone else. This sentiment is profoundly reshaping the pet food industry, which is projected to see the global pet snacks and treats market soar to nearly $80 billion by 2030.

Modern pet parents are no longer satisfied with mystery-meat biscuits. They are discerning consumers who scrutinize ingredient labels, demand transparency, and are increasingly willing to pay a premium for products that align with their own dietary values. Industry analysis shows consumers are willing to pay 50-70% more for products bearing a 'human-grade' label, signaling a deep-seated desire for quality and safety. The new cheesy treats from The Honest Kitchen and Moon Cheese—from single-ingredient crunchy cheese bites to dog-friendly 'crackers and cheese'—are tailor-made for this new generation of pet owner.

The concept extends beyond mere nutrition into shared social rituals. The idea of creating a "paw-cuterie" board for a canine companion, once a niche social media joke, is now a marketable concept. This collaboration taps directly into that desire, allowing owners to give their dogs a special, high-quality snack while they enjoy their own cheese and crackers. It transforms a simple treat into a moment of connection.

A Strategic Bite: The Business of Co-Branding

For both companies, this partnership is a calculated and strategic move. For The Honest Kitchen, which built its brand on the human-grade promise since 2002, the collaboration injects a fresh dose of innovation into its treat category. By aligning with Moon Cheese, a brand already beloved by humans for its simple, 100% real cheese snacks, it reinforces its core message in a fun and highly relevant way.

"Pet parents are paying closer attention than ever to what they snack on, and they want the same level of quality for their dogs," said Miki Dosen, Chief Marketing Officer at The Honest Kitchen, in a recent statement. "This partnership with Moon Cheese allows us to give dogs their own version of the snacks that humans love, creating treats that feel fun, familiar, and perfect for shareable moments."

For Moon Cheese, the venture represents a savvy, low-risk entry into the lucrative and rapidly growing pet market. Instead of building a pet-specific brand from scratch, it can leverage its core competency—creating crunchy, real-cheese snacks—and enter the space with a trusted partner. It's a powerful way to extend its brand reach to a new demographic of passionate consumers.

"Partnering with The Honest Kitchen lets us extend that philosophy to our four-legged friends creating a snack moment that feels playful, familiar, and rooted in the same quality standards pet parents expect for themselves and their dogs," noted Kate Richmond, Sales Director at Moon Cheese.

Decoding 'Human Grade': More Than Just a Label

Central to the appeal of this new line is the "human grade" claim, a term that is more than just clever marketing. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), for a pet food to be labeled as 'human grade,' every ingredient must be edible for humans, and the product must be manufactured, packed, and held in facilities licensed to produce human food. This means the entire supply chain, from sourcing to production, adheres to the same stringent safety and quality standards as food made for people.

This stands in stark contrast to conventional "feed grade" pet food, which can legally contain materials from diseased animals or non-slaughtered sources not deemed fit for human consumption. For a growing number of pet owners, the human-grade standard provides crucial peace of mind. It transforms the act of feeding a pet from a transaction into an act of nurturing, ensuring that the food in their bowl is as safe and wholesome as the food on the family's dinner table. The Honest Kitchen has been a standard-bearer for this level of quality for over two decades, lending significant credibility to this new product line.

What's on the Menu: A Cheesy Collection for Canines

The initial launch features four distinct, high-protein options, all crafted with 100% real cheese and held to The Honest Kitchen's human-grade standard. Two of the products directly feature the signature crunch of Moon Cheese:

• Cheddar Cheese Bites and Gouda Cheese Bites: Made with just one ingredient—100% cheddar or gouda, respectively—these crunchy bites are positioned as low-calorie options perfect for training or as a simple, guilt-free reward.

Two other treats offer a more classic, baked indulgence:

• Cheddar Cheese and Crackers: This product directly mimics the human snacking experience, offering a dog-friendly, charcuterie-style snack that combines real cheddar with savory bone broth-flavored crackers.
• Cheddar Cheese Biscuits: A more traditional, hearty biscuit that delivers a satisfying crunch and rich cheesy flavor for daily treating.

The collection is now available on The Honest Kitchen's website and at major retailers, including Petco. To celebrate the launch and National Cheese Lover's Day, the company is offering a 20% discount on the new line starting January 20th. This collaboration is a clear indicator that in the world of pet care, the desire to share, indulge, and nourish our animal companions with the very best has become the new standard.