Smells Cat Food Review
Smalls takes pride in creating meat-centric fresh cat food recipes that align with your cat’s natural carnivorous instincts. Each formula features a single, high-quality animal protein source, minimal carbohydrates, and plenty of hydrating moisture to keep your cat healthy and satisfied.
While many fresh cat food delivery services have come and gone, Smalls has remained a top choice for pet owners. But does it truly live up to the hype? I’ve been tracking Smalls since its launch and rigorously tested their products to bring you a comprehensive review.
About Smalls
Founded by two New York entrepreneurs in 2017, Smalls offers premium, human-grade cat food delivered straight to your door. From fresh, homemade-style meals to nutrient-dense freeze-dried varieties, each formula is crafted to meet your cat’s natural carnivorous needs. Proper nutrition affects not only your pet’s appearance and activity but also its health. Instead of browsing through standard recipes, Smalls customizes each meal plan based on your cat’s specific needs and preferences. Simply complete a quick questionnaire, and we’ll recommend a tailored meal plan that’s shipped monthly to your doorstep, packed ice-cold to ensure freshness.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
All Smalls recipes are crafted using human-grade ingredients, meaning they are made in facilities certified for human food production and sourced from USDA-approved ingredients fit for human consumption. The ingredients are sustainably obtained from the United States and Canada.
Smalls’ fresh food formulas are prepared in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing for potential pathogens, and the company also conducts regular checks to ensure the nutritional quality meets established standards.
Which Kind of Food Does Smalls Offer?
Although Smalls launched less than a decade ago, the company has undergone several notable changes in its product lineup. Initially, Smalls focused on fresh cat food, and that remains its primary focus today.
For a few years, up until mid-2023, the brand also offered freeze-dried cat food and kibble. Currently, however, Smalls exclusively sells fresh cat food in several protein options and three textures: smooth pâté, finely minced, and shredded.
The current Smalls recipe lineup includes:
- Smooth Bird: Chicken pâté
- Ground Bird: Minced chicken
- Smooth Other Bird: Turkey pâté
- Ground Other Bird: Minced turkey
- Smooth Fish: Fish pâté
- Smooth Pig: Pork pâté
- Smooth Bird & Fish Dish: Chicken and salmon pâté
- Pulled Bird: Shredded chicken
- Pulled Other Bird: Shredded turkey
The Smalls fresh food selection is constantly evolving. In early 2024, the Smooth Cow (beef pâté) recipe was discontinued and replaced with Smooth Pig (pork pâté). Around the same time, Smalls introduced its first multi-protein recipe — Smooth Bird & Fish Dish. Later in 2024, two shredded recipes made a comeback: Pulled Bird (chicken) and Pulled Other Bird (turkey). These pulled recipes require a specialized manufacturing process and are sold at a higher price.
Smalls cat food is packaged in 5-ounce portions and immediately frozen after cooking. The food is exclusively available through a subscription model on the Smalls website. Every subscription starts with a sampler pack and includes lifetime free treats — a bag of Shameless Pets cat treats is added to every box.
Smalls Cat Food – Top 5 Recipes Reviewed
| Product | Food Type | Protein Source | Kcal | Price |
| Fresh Ground Bird | Fresh | Chicken | 40 kcal/oz. | $0.65 per oz |
| Fresh Ground Other Bird | Fresh | Turkey | 40 kcal/oz. | $0.65 per oz |
| Fresh Smooth Fish | Fresh | Salmon | 36 kcal/oz. | $0.65 per oz |
| Fresh Smooth Bird & Fish Dish | Fresh | Chicken | 43 kcal/oz. | $0.65 per oz |
| Fresh Pulled Bird | Fresh | Chicken | 40 kcal/oz. | $1.15 per oz |
Smalls Fresh Ground Bird
Earlier versions of Smalls Fresh Ground Bird included peas, but the current recipe, along with all other Smalls formulas, does not. Instead, green beans and kale provide digestible energy and essential nutrients for most cats. The food’s dry matter carbohydrate content remains minimal.
This minced chicken recipe is not only a digestible source of species-appropriate protein and healthy fats but also rich in hydrating moisture. Its texture is described as having a “minced mouthfeel.” For cats that prefer a smoother consistency, the Smooth Bird pâté is a suitable alternative.
Benefits:
- Single-protein formula
- Over 48% of dry protein
- Digestible for most cats
- Rich in hydrating
Smalls Fresh Ground Other Bird
Like the previous recipe, Smalls Fresh Ground Other Bird is a single-protein formula featuring turkey muscle meat as the main ingredient, followed by nutrient-rich turkey liver. As with all Smalls fresh cat foods, it also includes cod liver oil, a source of healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids.
Since turkey is a less common protein for many cats, it can be a good option for those with allergies or sensitivities to more typical proteins like chicken, beef, or fish. Despite being a novel protein, it remains rich in protein and energy. While the texture isn’t as smooth as the Smooth Other Bird pâté, it is finely minced, making it easy for most cats to chew.
Benefits:
- Animal Protein
- Easy to chew
- Rich in hydrating
- Low in carbohydrates
Smalls Fresh Smooth Fish
This fish-based fresh cat food features salmon and cod as the primary ingredients, offering a smooth pâté texture. On a dry matter basis, it contains over 62% protein and approximately 20% fat, making it another carnivore-friendly formula with minimal carbohydrates.
In addition to being easy to digest, the salmon, cod, and cod liver oil provide omega-3 fatty acids sourced from animal proteins, which can help keep your cat’s coat shiny and soft.
While this recipe is rich in animal-based protein, it’s less calorie-dense than the previous two formulas. This makes it suitable for overweight cats who need to lose weight.
Benefits:
- Animal Protein
- Low carbohydrate
- Hydrating moisture
- Animal-sourced Omega-3 fatty acids
Smalls Fresh Smooth Bird & Fish Dish
Smooth Bird & Fish Dish is Smalls’ first multi-protein fresh cat food formula, featuring chicken muscle meat, chicken liver, and salmon as the primary ingredients. While it’s slightly higher in calories and fat than other recipes, it remains equally protein-rich.
This formula contains approximately 55.5% protein and 33.3% fat on a dry matter basis, delivering 43 calories per ounce. This makes it a bit more filling than some of Small’s single-protein options. It’s also a great choice for picky eaters who enjoy the combination of multiple protein sources.
Benefits:
- Multi-protein for picky cats
- Easy to chew
- Fairly calorie-dense
Smalls Fresh Pulled Bird
Introduced to the Smalls lineup in late 2024, Pulled Bird is a chicken-based shredded recipe. Positioned as a premium product, it requires more time and specialized equipment to produce compared to minced and pâté recipes, resulting in a $0.50 upcharge per pack.
Like other Smalls fresh foods, Pulled Bird is a limited-ingredient formula that’s protein-rich, moisture-dense, and low in carbohydrates. On a dry matter basis, it contains nearly 77% protein, with salmon oil as the sole source of added fat. If your cat prefers chunkier wet food, Pulled Bird offers a nutritious, carnivore-friendly option.
Benefits:
- Animal Protein
- Relies on salmon oil
- Low in carbohydrates
- Shredded texture
Smalls Cat Food Cost
Smalls cat food is exclusively sold through a subscription on the Smalls website. First-time customers begin with a 10-pack sampler, which automatically transitions into a monthly subscription unless cancelled.
Upon signing up, every customer receives a sampler pack with 10 packages of fresh food. The recipes included are selected based on the details you provide about your cat during the signup process.
Smalls cat food is priced at $4 per 5-ounce package. The sampler pack is offered at a 20% discount, reducing the cost to $32 for the first box, with free shipping included.
After receiving the sampler, you can log into your Smalls account to adjust your cat’s plan, swap flavours, or change the number of packets in each delivery. The subscription renews automatically every 4 weeks at $4 per packet unless cancelled. If you add pulled recipes, an extra $0.50 per packet will be applied.
The daily cost of Smalls fresh food ranges from $1.00 to $3.50, depending on your cat’s size and calorie needs. You can adjust the plan anytime to increase or decrease the amount of food based on your cat’s requirements.
Is Smalls a good choice for your cat?
Smalls provides a great selection of foods and meal plans that align with your cat’s natural carnivorous diet. Few other brands match Smalls’ combination of species-appropriate nutrition, premium ingredients, and high manufacturing standards.
Keep in mind that Smalls operates as a subscription service. When you place an order, you’re automatically enrolled in recurring shipments. If you decide to stop the subscription, be sure to cancel before the next box is shipped.
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