Unbiased Smalls Contemporary Cat Meals Overview 2025

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Formulated for fussy felines and pet dad and mom who care about what goes into their cats’ bowls, Smalls is a recent cat meals firm that operates on a subscription mannequin. Whether or not you’re seeking to enhance the standard of your cat’s eating regimen or simplify your personal life with recurrently scheduled deliveries, you may be contemplating a change to Smalls.

On this detailed evaluate, you’ll study concerning the historical past of Smalls, how its merchandise are manufactured, and what clients consider the model. We’ll additionally offer you an in-depth evaluation of the preferred recipes.

The Cats.com Normal—Ranking Smalls on What Issues

We’ve analyzed Smalls and graded it in response to the Cats.com commonplace, evaluating the model on species-appropriateness, ingredient high quality, product selection, value, buyer expertise, and recall historical past. Right here’s the way it charges in every of those six key areas.

In complete, we give Smalls cat meals a 49 out of 60 ranking or an A- grade.

Why Belief Cats.com

Our crew has examined and evaluated Smalls’ merchandise a number of instances because the model’s launch in 2017, updating our evaluate every time the product lineup adjustments. We’ve additionally spoken straight with the founders to study the historical past of the model. Together with quite a few members of the Cats.com crew, I’ve put Smalls to the take a look at at dwelling with my very own cats, Munchkin and Biscuit.

Throughout testing, we make observations concerning the merchandise’ look, texture, scent, and consistency whereas counting on our cats to gauge its palatability and normal enchantment. Earlier than testing any cat meals product, we totally analysis the model to get a really feel for its dietary philosophy, manufacturing and sourcing practices, and recall historical past. We additionally learn buyer critiques to get a really feel for the corporate’s monitor report with buyer satisfaction.

About Smalls

Smalls is a direct-to-consumer, subscription-based recent cat meals firm that was based in 2017. The idea was developed by Matt Michaelson and Calvin Bohn, two cat house owners themselves, who began cooking small batches of recent cat meals in Michaelson’s New York Metropolis condo kitchen. Their aim was to create a extra biologically acceptable cat meals, fairly than simply one other feline-adapted model of pet food.

As phrase about Smalls unfold, the corporate consulted animal nutritionists to fine-tune the formulation and moved operations to a industrial kitchen. In August 2020, Smalls acquired $9 million in Collection A funding which enabled additional investments in supply-chain infrastructure and product line enlargement. Since then, Smalls has accomplished a $19 million spherical of Collection B funding, bringing the corporate’s complete funding to about $34 million.

Regardless of the model’s fast development in reputation and profitability, Smalls stays a self-described “cat-first” firm. Smalls markets its merchandise to discerning customers who don’t thoughts paying extra for high-quality, human-grade, recent cat meals. Within the close to future, the model plans to accomplice with unbiased pet retailers to supply merchandise in brick-and-mortar shops, increasing its availability to a wider market.

Sourcing and Manufacturing

All Smalls merchandise are made with substances sourced primarily from america and Canada. The one exception is the model’s customized complement mix which incorporates globally-sourced substances however is blended within the US. Smalls doesn’t present specifics about ingredient sourcing however claims that every one meats and most different substances meet human meals requirements.

Smalls formulates, prepares, and cooks all its merchandise in america in human-grade USDA licensed amenities. The recent cat meals recipes are made in New Jersey whereas the freeze-dried puffs are made in New York. Smalls emphasizes small-batch cooking and mild processing strategies for its recent meals, freezing them instantly after cooking to retain freshness.

As a result of Smalls’ recent cat meals is frozen instantly after cooking, there’s no want for preservatives. It’s, nevertheless, essential that the meals stays frozen all through the manufacturing and transport course of. Smalls ships its meals with sufficient dry ice to final 2–3 days and recommends clients switch the product to the freezer as quickly because it arrives.

Recall Historical past

Smalls’ merchandise have by no means been topic to an FDA recall however there are two voluntary remembers within the firm’s historical past. In March 2019, Smalls recalled all a number of Diamond Mud, a hen liver-based powdered meals topper, after testing revealed inconsistencies in protein content material. No recent meals merchandise have been affected, because the topper was manufactured at a unique web site.

In June 2021, Smalls voluntarily recalled sure a number of its recent hen and turkey cat meals after receiving buyer complaints. Clients reported that the product’s coloration and odor appeared off, suggesting spoilage. No diseases have been reported and Smalls recalled the affected heaps, attributing the difficulty to refrigeration issues.

What Sorts of Cat Meals Does Smalls Supply?

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Smalls focuses totally on gently cooked recent cat meals merchandise. These recipes are wealthy in animal protein, low in carbohydrates, and minimally processed. They’re additionally free from synthetic components, together with preservatives. Smalls recent meals options 5 totally different proteins (hen, turkey, pork, beef, and fish) and is available in three textures (pâté, minced, or shredded).

The recipes Smalls at the moment has to supply embody:

• Easy Hen – Contemporary hen pâté
• Floor Hen – Minced hen recipe
• Pulled Hen – Shredded hen recipe
• Easy Different Hen – Contemporary turkey pâté
• Floor Different Hen – Minced turkey recipe
• Pulled Different Hen – Shredded turkey recipe
• Easy Pig – Contemporary pork pâté
• Easy Cow – Contemporary beef pâté
• Floor Cow – Minced beef recipe
• Easy Fish – Contemporary salmon and cod pâté
• Easy Hen & Fish Dish – Rooster and salmon pâté

The Smalls recent meals lineup has modified a number of instances through the years, most lately with a reformulation that considerably lowered the merchandise’ carbohydrate content material. The model added its first multi-protein recipe in 2024 (Easy Hen & Fish Dish) together with two shredded recipes (Pulled Hen and Pulled Different Hen). The pulled recipes and beef-based formulation are thought-about “premium” choices and value an additional $0.50 per packet.

Along with its recent meals merchandise, Smalls gives two freeze-dried, fully-cooked cat meals formulation (hen and turkey). You may as well add quite a lot of lickable cat treats or broths to your order. Each order features a free bag of Hen Nip, Smalls’ hen and catnip treats.

What Did Our Check Cats Suppose?

The method of ordering Smalls cat meals is slightly totally different than purchasing on pet retail websites like Chewy. As an alternative of shopping an assortment of merchandise, Smalls has you fill out a questionnaire about your cat to match you with the recipes that finest swimsuit their wants. The quiz takes just some minutes to finish and, on the finish, you’ll be directed to customise a 10-packet sampler field.

Smalls has reformulated its recipes a number of instances through the years so, for this up to date evaluate, I ordered a pattern of each recent meals recipe together with the freeze-dried hen recipe. I used to be in a position to choose a 1-week desired supply window and Smalls stored me up to date on my order standing through e mail.

My order arrived on schedule in a cardboard field with recyclable insulation, a reusable ice pack, and dry ice. All of the meals packets have been safely frozen strong, so I positioned a number of within the fridge to thaw in a single day. My cats loved the entire flavors however Munchkin was a fan of Floor Hen and Biscuit preferred Easy Fish one of the best.

Smalls Cat Meals—High 5 Recipes Reviewed

What Do Clients Consider Smalls Cat Meals?

Although Smalls doesn’t have a direct evaluate system on its web site, the model has a presence on a number of third-party evaluate websites. On Trustpilot, for instance, Smalls has a 4.1-star common ranking out of 5 stars with over 3,250 scores. Smalls steadily replies to unfavourable critiques on this platform, usually inside 2 weeks of posting.

Optimistic Critiques

Clients usually appear to understand the standard of Smalls merchandise and plenty of notice enhancements of their cats’ pores and skin, coat, digestion, and total well being. House owners of finicky eaters usually discover that their cats benefit from the meals and plenty of constructive critiques point out the comfort of the subscription service (and the timeliness of deliveries).

“My cat Child loves the meals she’s been getting currently. She’s been asking to be fed. Her fur is softer, her happiness is increased… I’m simply thrilled this meals has made her wish to eat.” – Stacy Cote on Trustpilot, November 18, 2025

“The flexibility to buy a sampler was very useful. My cats completely liked it. Purred whereas they ate. The tips about how one can introduce the meals was useful additionally. Will probably be feeding them Smalls from this level ahead.” – Sharon Dent on Trustpilot, November 16, 2025

Damaging Critiques

Exterior of anticipated cases the place cats merely didn’t look after the meals, dissatisfied Smalls clients most steadily touch upon billing and customer support points. As a result of Smalls emphasizes textual content and e mail over cellphone assist, some clients discover it too gradual or cumbersome. Others have skilled sudden costs or acquired undesirable orders after altering or canceling their subscription.

“The meals has a sand texture, dry, and crumbly. Has a humorous scent like dietary yeast. Cats by no means totally received onboard with it. Priced excessive for small packs of closely cooked, not uncooked, cat meals. Transport and supply is a joke too.” – Benny on Trustpilot, August 1, 2025

“After over a month of blending it with their earlier moist meals, my cats received’t contact these things on it’s personal. I despatched customer support a message saying the meals ought to [taste] higher with out extras like broth or toppers they usually tried to promote me the extras within the reply.” – Jean BT on Trustpilot, November 5, 2025

How A lot Does Smalls Cat Meals Value?

Smalls solely accepts orders by subscription, although you possibly can change or cancel your subscription as wanted. New clients begin off with a 10-packet sampler, discounted to 50% off retail value with free transport. For recurring clients, all 5-ounce meals packets value $5 excluding the pulled recipes which value an extra $0.50.

After you obtain your sampler, you’ll routinely be enrolled in a recurring subscription with shipments each 2 weeks. You’ll be able to regulate the frequency to each 1–12 weeks and select from 4 field sizes starting from 14 to 56 packets per order. All subscriptions ship free besides the smallest field dimension which has a flat transport fee of $15.

The estimated day by day feeding value for a 10-pound cat ranges from about $3.50 to $5.00. Every day feeding prices for Smalls depends upon your cat’s calorie necessities and the field dimension you select. Smalls gives bulk reductions as much as 30%, which reduces the per-packet value to $3.50.

The place is Smalls Cat Meals Bought?

You’ll be able to solely buy Smalls cat meals straight from the model as a part of a subscription. It’s simple to customise your plan or cancel your subscription by logging into your buyer account on the Smalls web site.

Whereas Smalls recent cat meals is barely accessible by subscription, you should purchase freeze-dried cat meals, lickable treats, meal toppers, toys, and different merchandise individually by Smalls Mart on the model’s web site. You’ll be able to add these merchandise to any subscription order or buy them individually (a transportation charge of $5 for orders below $50 could apply).

General, Is Smalls a Good Selection?

With regards to species-appropriate diet, Smalls has loads to supply. With meat-focused formulation wealthy in hydrating moisture to an array of taste and texture choices, there’s sufficient selection that many cats can discover a Smalls recipe that fits their wants. The merchandise are dear and thawing frozen meals could also be rather less handy than opening a can of moist meals or dipping right into a bag of kibble, however many cat house owners assume the standard is value the price.

If you happen to just like the comfort of getting your cat’s meals delivered to your door on a predictable schedule, Smalls might be a sensible choice. Ought to your cat’s wants or preferences change over time, nevertheless, you’ll have to be proactive about updating your subscription. Smalls’ customer support will get blended critiques and a few cat house owners have complained about gradual response instances or sudden costs.

Comparable Manufacturers

In search of different cat meals manufacturers just like Smalls? Take a look at a few of our different model critiques.