Smalls Cat Food Review 2024: Vet-Approved Pros, Cons, & Verdict

Vet approved

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Paola Cuevas

MVZ (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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If you have a picky cat, you know how hard it can be to find cat food that they’ll actually eat. Harder still is finding a cat food brand they’ll continue to enjoy for the long term.

This is the battle I had been fighting with my picky tabby cat. That is until I found Smalls Cat Food.

This kitty food brand is different from the others out there. For one, their recipes are packed with human-grade meat and include no fillers or grains. Even better, they’re delivered to your door every month.

My picky cat fell in love with Smalls right away, but that was far from the only positive thing about switching to this cat food. Keep reading to find out how else Smalls helped my tabby and to see my full Smalls Cat Food review.

At a Glance: What We Reviewed

About Smalls

In a world where subscription pet food services only serve dogs, Smalls set out on a mission to bring the same kind of high-quality diets to cats everywhere. In 2017, they launched their pet food line with a convenient subscription option that provides recipes tailored to your cat’s needs, delivered straight to your door.

Who Makes Smalls and Where is it Produced?

Smalls was started by Matt Michaelson and Calvin Bohn, two cat owners with a passion for improving kitty health through diet. Today, their company makes all Smalls recipes in small batches at their facility in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey.

The meat utilized in each recipe is sourced in the US and Canada from processing facilities that only deal in human-grade meat products.

Which Types of Cats Is Smalls Best Suited For?

Smalls has many different recipe options. Each features a different main protein and most contain only a single protein source. All the recipes contain the nutrients necessary to support cats at all life stages.

All this is to say that Smalls has something for every cat. Whether you have a picky eater who needs some extra enticing or an over-eater who needs to shed a few pounds, Smalls is likely to have at least one recipe that fits the bill. Most cats will be able to enjoy multiple recipes, which helps keep things interesting to avoid hunger strikes.

Key Features

When Smalls started, there weren’t really any other cat food delivery services available. Today, there are more options, but there are still some key features that set Smalls apart from the competition, including their ingredients, recipe options, subscription options, and their pricing.

Meat-Centric Ingredients

One of the most notable differences between Smalls recipes and most other cat foods out there is the amount of meat they include.

Cats are obligate carnivores. This means that they must eat meat in order to get the essential nutrients and amino acids their bodies can’t make. Despite this, most cat food is made predominantly of grains, protein-heavy vegetables, and other cheap fillers.

This is not the case with Smalls. Each of their recipes is made almost entirely of meat, including at least one type of muscle meat and one type of organ meat. While few of their recipes include whole prey sources to fully replicate what cats would eat in the wild, they come pretty close.

This means that every package of Smalls has the high amount of animal protein and animal fat that your cat needs to stay healthy and happy.

Minimal Added Ingredients

While a lot of higher-quality cat foods include enough meat to list it as the first ingredient, most still contain more plant matter than meat. You know this is true when you see multiple grains, legumes, and other filler veggies listed after that first ingredient.

Again, this is where Smalls separates themselves from the competition. They include only one or two vegetable ingredients in each recipe. And the veggies they do use are high in fiber and nutrient-dense.

These veggies are included to replicate the small amount of plant matter wild cats get from eating the stomach contents of their prey.

In addition to one or two select vegetables, Smalls also includes their proprietary blend of vitamins and minerals to fill any nutritional gaps that may exist.

What you won’t find in Smalls cat food are fillers, preservatives, artificial colors, or other cheap ingredients that have negative effects on cats’ health.

Multiple Recipe Options

Another thing to love about Smalls is how many recipe options they offer. Their current lineup includes:

Having multiple recipes to choose from is helpful for a number of reasons.

For one, if you have a picky cat, you’re much more likely to find recipes that your cat will eat when there are options to choose from. Multiple protein options also mean it’s easier to find something to feed your sensitive or allergy-prone cat.

Most importantly, multiple choices make it easy to keep things fresh and offer different proteins to ensure your cat is getting all the nutrients they need.

Subscription Service

Smalls’ subscription is super easy to use, though it doesn’t quite offer as much as some of the top dog food subscription services.

To get started, you simply need to hop over to their website and fill out a short questionnaire about your cat (or cats). Based on your cat’s preferences, health considerations, and goals, you’ll get a list of recipes back that fit your cat’s needs. This “sampler box” allows you to test out a few different options to see what your cat likes the best.

I received six different recipes in my sampler box.

Once you test the different options to see what your cat prefers, you can set up your subscription box with however many different recipes you want to include. You can also choose the frequency of your deliveries and how many packages of food to include.

Unlike many dog food subscriptions, Smalls does not package each meal based on how much your cat eats. Rather, it provides enough 5-ounce packages to feed for your set period. Each of these packages contains enough food for one day’s worth of meals for a 10-pound cat.

Once you have your subscription set up, you can change your recipes, delivery frequency, and amount as needed. You can also skip or cancel without any hassle.

Pricing

Each recipe option carries a different price tag. How many meals you order and your frequency of delivery can also affect your total price. In general, though, you can expect to pay between $1.90 and $3 per package.

In addition to food, Smalls also carries a selection of cat treats, bone broths, toys, and cat merchandise for people. You can add these to your order at any time for an additional cost.

Reviews of Our Favorite Smalls Recipes

I received six different recipes in my sampler box. My cat, as picky as she is, enjoyed them all. But these three were definitely her favorites.

1. Ground Bird

This chicken recipe is a perfect way to introduce Smalls to your cat for the first time. Since chicken is a common ingredient in many cat foods, it’s generally easier on your cat’s tummy during the switch.

The ground texture of this option tends to be enticing to many kitties and can help overcome pickiness.

With chicken and chicken liver as the main ingredients, it’s packed with protein to keep your cat healthy. The higher fat content makes it a great choice for playful young cats and those needing a little extra energy, as well. And the added fiber can help older cats with their digestion and help all cats feel fuller longer.

The chicken in this recipe is sourced from the US and human-grade, so you can feel good about feeding it to your kitty. This recipe is also one of the least expensive options, which will help keep the cost of your subscription box down.

My cat loved the ground version of this recipe the most but enjoyed the smooth pate version as well.

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2. Ground Cow

Beef isn’t as common in cat food as it is in dog food, though there’s no real reason why. In fact, beef, especially when paired with cow liver like in Smalls Fresh Smooth Cow, is a fantastic choice for your feline friend.

This protein-packed option delivers all the essential nutrients cats need, along with a good dose of fat to keep them energized. Beef helps build muscle and helps kitties maintain a healthy weight. While this recipe has slightly less fat and fiber than the chicken recipe, it’s still an excellent choice for cats of any age.

With spinach added for extra antioxidants, this recipe offers a boost of nutrition. Like all Smalls options, it’s predominantly meat-based, ensuring your cat gets what they need without unnecessary fillers.

Quality is key when it comes to beef, given how much beef processed for pet food comes from diseased and deceased cattle. But with Smalls, you can trust that you’re getting top-notch, human-grade cuts free from harmful chemicals.

This is another recipe where my cat seemed to gravitate toward the ground version over the smooth option. But the latter may be a better choice for older cats and those with dental issues.

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3. Smooth Fish

If your cat is a bit finicky when it comes to food, consider Smalls’ Smooth Fish option. It boasts an irresistible fishy scent and flavor that cats simply can’t resist.

What sets this recipe apart is its dual protein sources: salmon and cod. These whole meats offer a wealth of essential nutrients, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Omegas are incredibly helpful for addressing inflammation and enhancing skin and coat health in your feline friend.

To complement the rich protein and fat content, this recipe includes two vegetables, green beans and pumpkin. Both of these provide valuable fiber to support digestive health.

While my tabby cat definitely enjoyed this recipe the most, the scent was a bit much for me. If you’re sensitive to odors, you may want to skip this one (or maybe feed it outside!).

Because this recipe only comes in a smooth texture, it’s a great option for kitties that have a harder time chewing. It’s also an excellent choice for mixing with formula to transition kittens onto solid food.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often will my subscription box be shipped?

Most subscription boxes are shipped on a frequency of every four weeks. However, this can be changed as needed.

Is there a charge for shipping?

Medium and large subscription boxes are shipped free of charge. If you opt for a small order, you may be charged an extra $10 to cover shipping.

Are the meals frozen?

Yes, your Smalls meal packages will arrive frozen. They should be transferred to the freezer as soon as possible. Each meal should be moved to the fridge to thaw about 24 hours before you intend to feed it.

What is human-grade meat?

Human-grade meat is meat that is processed in USDA (or AAFC in Canada) regulated facilities. These facilities process meat for human consumption and are held to a higher standard than those that process meat strictly for animal use.

Our Experience With Smalls Cat Food

My tabby cat has always been a bit of a picky eater. The worst part is that whenever I find something she seems to like, she eventually gets tired of it. This means I have to start the search over again every couple of weeks.

I was hopeful that with Smalls’ high-quality, meat-based recipes and their variety of recipe options, I might be able to put an end to this cycle.

As soon as the package arrived, she seemed interested. After I served up the first pack of food, I knew I had a winner.

She did a little of her normal sniffing and testing before she finally dug in. But once she did, she didn’t stop until she cleaned the bowl!

I was very relieved by this because normally she only gets this excited about the lowest quality cat foods. You know, the ones packed with artificial flavors and other enticing yet unhealthy ingredients. It was such a relief to see her get that excited about healthy, quality cat food.

As I went through my sampler box, I rotated the recipes every couple of meals to keep things interesting. To my surprise, she seemed to enjoy all the options. And changing things up consistently has helped her stay interested.

One thing I didn’t expect was the positive effect this food has had on her gut.

She’s always had loose, stinky stools. But after a week on this food, her stools were noticeably firmer and not nearly as smelly. I’ve also started to notice an improvement in her coat and energy levels.

I’m excited to get started with my subscription box to see if these improvements continue. I’m also very hopeful, based on her initial excitement with this food, that she will continue devouring it with as much gusto as she has been.

Conclusion

If you have a picky cat who just can’t seem to find a cat food they enjoy for more than a few days at a time, I highly recommend Smalls.

My picky gal has been eating their wide selection of high-protein recipes for about a month now and still can’t get enough. The high-quality ingredients and human-grade meat used in each recipe have helped improve her digestive health and have already added a noticeable sheen to her coat. And the subscription option makes it super simple to keep my freezer stocked with all the recipes she loves.

For those looking for an easier way to improve their cats’ health and keep mealtime fun, Smalls is definitely worth checking out.

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