Smalls Cat Food Review

Smalls Cat Food Review

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The founders of Smalls created a simple and wholesome cat food in an East Village apartment in New York.  Matt Michaelson and Calvin Bohn wanted a basic, fresh food with whole ingredients to become their simple recipes for cats.

Smalls wet food recipes were developed with the help of Susan Lauten, Phd, who owns a Pet Nutrition Consulting firm. All of the ingredients are human grade, and meat and produce are sourced from US suppliers.

Why Should You Trust This Review?

• I am a certified pet nutritionist
• I’ve been a cat mom for 30 plus years
• I have volunteered at cat shelters for over 15 years
• I did 48 hours of research on this cat food brand

About Smalls

Smalls food for cats is prepared with 100% human grade ingredients. You can create a customized meal plan for your cats based on their age, health goal, and current food and have freshly prepared food delivered to your door.

Smalls buys all of their ingredients the same day they cook it and then freeze it right away. They also cook on a weekly basis so the food coming to you is never old. Unlike other cat foods that have been heavily processed, Smalls foods do not have 25 year shelf life.

All of Smalls ingredients are sourced from 100% USDA certified human grade suppliers. The meat comes from London Meat Co., which is in Manhattan, NY. Everything is sourced as locally as possible, and most of the time within 100 miles of New York. The vegetables come from local stores and the vitamins and minerals come from GNC.

Smalls currently offers 3 types of fresh cat foods, as well as 3 types of freeze dried kibble. You can choose from either the fresh or freeze dried cat food when building a meal plan for your cat. You can also mix and match the foods depending on your cats needs.

To sign up with Smalls, you can create a profile for your cat or cats. You will be asked to provide each cats current age, health goal, current food type and customize your plan if you want to try something specific.

Smalls Cat Food Sourcing And Manufacturing

Recall History

March 2019 –  Smalls recalled a product for possible adulteration/inconsistencies. Small shaker containers with a yellow label marked “Diamond Dust” sent to customers inside welcome kits or sold separately, shipped between Oct. 9, 2018, and March 25, 2019 were included in this recall.

June 2021 – Smalls was recalled for off odor and color of certain foods. The following recipes were included in this recall:

• Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Ground Bird Chicken Recipe
• Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Smooth Bird Chicken Recipe
• Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Ground Other Bird Turkey Recipe
• Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Smooth Other Bird Turkey Recipe

Recipe Analysis/Review

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 # 1 Smalls Fresh Bird Recipe

Ingredients

Chicken Thigh, Chicken Breast, Chicken Liver, Green Beans, Peas, Water sufficient for processing, Chicken Heart, Kale, Vegetable Oil, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Choline Bitartrate, Salt, Taurine, Magnesium Gluconate, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Gluconate, Ascorbic Acid, Copper Gluconate, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Gluconate, Ferrous Gluconate, Niacin, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Selenium, Dried Kelp, Biotin, Vitamin B12

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To better understand the Freshpet Select Tender Chicken Recipe recipe, we analyzed the first 5 ingredients.

Chicken thigh great source of protein and the dark meat contains high amounts of taurine. It’s also a lean meat, low in fat and calories, and is gentle on the stomach.

Chicken breasts are a good source of protein, are low in fat, low in sodium and are a low-carb food.

Chicken liver is a good source of copper, iron, niacin, phosphorus and zinc as well as high in protein, fat and vitamin A. Further down is chicken heart which contains fatty acids, vitamin A, B and iron.

Green beans are a great source of fiber and can aid in digestion. Green beans are one of the few veggies that are acceptable for cats.

Peas contain high amounts of fiber, lysine and some level of tryptophan. However, peas are often considered a replacement for grain type fillers in grain-free cat foods.

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#2 Smalls Fresh Other Bird Recipe

Ingredients

Turkey Thigh (Skin On), Chicken Liver, Green Beans, Peas, Kale, Vegetable Oil, Calcium carbonate, Dicalcium phosphate, Choline, L-bitartrate, Salt, Taurine, Magnesium gluconate, Potassium chloride, Zinc Gluconate, Ascorbic Acid, Copper gluconate, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Gluconate, Ferrous Gluconate, Niacin, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic acid, Selenium,Dried Kelp, Biotin, Vitamin B12

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To better understand the Freshpet Select Tender Chicken Recipe recipe, we analyzed the first 5 ingredients.

Turkey is a high quality protein full of nutrients and is highly digestible. It is low in calories and high in Selenium and Tryptophan both of which benefit the immune system.

Chicken liver is a good source of copper, iron, niacin, phosphorus and zinc as well as high in protein, fat and vitamin A. Further down is chicken heart which contains fatty acids, vitamin A, B and iron.

Green beans are a great source of fiber and can aid in digestion. Green beans are one of the few veggies that are acceptable for cats.

Peas contain high amounts of fiber, lysine and some level of tryptophan. However, peas are often considered a replacement for grain type fillers in grain-free cat foods.

Kale contains high levels of Vitamin A which can support eye and skin health, Vitamin C to help boost the immune system, and Vitamin K to help with blood clotting and healing. It also has calcium and potassium to help support bone and heart health.

#3 Smalls Fresh Cow Recipe

Ingredients

Ground Beef 90% Lean, Beef Liver, Green Beans, Peas, Beef Heart, Water, Spinach, Calcium carbonate, Dicalcium phosphate, Choline Bitartrate, Salt, Taurine, Magnesium gluconate, Potassium chloride, Zinc Gluconate, Ascorbic Acid, Copper gluconate, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Gluconate, Ferrous Gluconate, Niacin, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic acid, Selenium,Dried Kelp, Biotin, Vitamin B12

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To better understand the Freshpet Select Tender Chicken Recipe recipe, we analyzed the first 5 ingredients.

Ground beef contains several nutrients including the amino acid taurine, a fatty acid called arachidonic acid, and vitamin A. It is one of the most common food allergens for cats.

Beef liver contains high amounts of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, trace minerals and is an amazing source of omega 3 and six fatty acids.

Green beans are a great source of fiber and can aid in digestion. Green beans are one of the few veggies that are acceptable for cats.

Peas contain high amounts of fiber, lysine and some level of tryptophan. However, peas are often considered a replacement for grain type fillers in grain-free cat foods.

Beef heart helps build muscle, boost energy, and support healthy cellular function. They are a natural source of B-Vitamins, zinc, iron, and taurine.

 # 4 Smalls Freeze Dried Raw Bird Recipe

Ingredients

Finely ground chicken with bone, chicken heart, chicken liver, chicken gizzard, chicken egg, goat’s milk, water, eggshell membrane, herring oil, mixed tocopherols, d-alpha tocopherol

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To get a better understanding of the Smalls Freeze Dried Raw Bird Recipe, we analyzed the first 5 ingredients.

Finely ground chicken breasts are a good source of ground protein, are low in fat, low in sodium and are a low-carb food.

Chicken heart is packed with vital nutrients. It is an excellent source of taurine.

Chicken liver is a good source of copper, iron, niacin, phosphorus and zinc as well as high in protein, fat and vitamin A. Further down is chicken heart which contains fatty acids, vitamin A, B and iron.

Chicken gizzard is rich in cartilage, zinc, vitamin B12 and iron. It’s also a natural source of glucosamine, which helps support joint health.

Chicken egg is an excellent source of taurine. It is a pure animal protein, with no carbohydrates.

 # 5 Smalls Freeze Dried Raw Other Bird Recipe

Ingredients

Finely Ground Turkey With Bone, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Turkey Gizzard, Goat’s Milk, Turkey Egg, Water, Egg Shell Membrane, Herring Oil, Mixed Tocopherols, D-Alpha Tocopherol

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To better understand the Smalls Freeze Dried Raw Other Bird Recipe, we analyzed the first 5 ingredients.

Finely ground turkey is a high quality, ground up protein full of nutrients and is highly digestible. It is low in calories and high in Selenium and Tryptophan both of which benefit the immune system.

Turkey heart contains fatty acids, vitamin A, B and iron and is packed with vital nutrients. It is also an excellent source of taurine.

Turkey liver is a good source of copper, iron, niacin, phosphorus and zinc as well as high in protein, fat and vitamin A. It also contains omega 3 and omega 6, fatty acids.

Turkey gizzard is low in fat, and high in vitamins. It contains several vitamins including Vitamin B12, which is essential for brain function and healthy skin and hair.

Goats milk regulates bacteria and can help create a healthy gut. Enzymes found in fermented goat’s milk contribute to easy digestion helping your cat absorb all the vitamins and minerals.

Is Smalls Good Cat Food?

Smalls is a healthy cat food option with all-natural ingredients, no preservatives, no fillers or grains, no artificial flavors, and only the highest-quality, responsibly sourced meats are used. Smalls offers recipes with proteins like beef, chicken, and turkey, and having fresh, healthy cat food delivered right to your door is a huge convenience.

Smalls downfall is the food is a little pricey when compared to store bought options and you have limited recipe choices in comparison to other fresh cat food brands.

Where Is Smalls Cat Food Sold?

Smalls cat food is sold exclusively on the website at Smalls.com.

*FTC Disclosure: Cat Mania is an affiliate partner of Smalls. This means that if you decide to purchase through any of our links, we get a small commission. We only spread the word about products and services we’ve either used or would use ourselves. All of our reviews are unbiased, regardless of payment received, and always reflect our honest opinion or the opinion of our cats.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does Smalls Cat Food Cost?

Price depends on your cat’s needs, the recipes you choose, and your delivery schedule. With this in mind you will be paying about $2.00 to $3.50 per day per cat.

What are the Health Benefits of Feeding My Cat Smalls?

Most cats have fresher breath and less smelly poops within the first week of eating Smalls. Within two months you can expect to see a shinier coat and fewer hairballs in your cat. At the three month mark your cat will have more energy and stronger bones.

Is Smalls Food all Natural?

Smalls uses human grade ingredients and cooks them gently. Smalls food is as close to nature as it comes, the high protein and moisture content is based on what your cat would eat if hunting in the wild.

Is Smalls Cat Food Grain Free?

Smalls foods are free from preservatives, fillers, grains, and artificial flavors.

How Long Does the Food Last After Delivery?

Smalls meals are designed to be frozen. When you need another package, you can pull it out of the freezer and thaw it in the fridge for 24-hours. Each package is good for about 3 days once refrigerated.