As a content creator at pets.edu.vn and a passionate advocate for pet well-being, I’m diving deep into the world of premium cat food. Working with Pumpkin Pet Insurance, I’m constantly reminded of the importance of preventative care, and nutrition plays a huge role in keeping our feline friends healthy and happy. That’s why I was eager to explore Smalls Cat Food, a brand that’s been making waves with its human-grade ingredients and focus on feline health.
My personal motivation goes beyond professional curiosity. Meet Kitty, my 20-pound Maine Coon. She’s not just a cat; she’s the ruler of our household. Maine Coons are known for their size, and Kitty certainly lives up to the stereotype. At three years young, she dwarfs my two dogs! While some might joke about her “cold, black heart,” I know underneath that majestic exterior is a cat deserving of the very best. And for me, “best” starts with nutrition.
Like many dedicated cat parents, I’ve always prioritized high-quality wet food for Kitty. Cats aren’t big drinkers by nature, so wet food is crucial for hydration and preventing common health issues like urinary tract infections and kidney disease – conditions Maine Coons can be prone to. Before Smalls, Kitty enjoyed brands like Weruva, Stella & Chewy’s, and Tiki Cat. However, fostering kittens introduced new complexities. Balancing quality nutrition with budget and the kittens’ varying needs led me to explore options, and Smalls stood out with its promise of human-grade ingredients and health benefits.
This review is based on my experience introducing Smalls to Kitty and, to a lesser extent, my foster kittens. I’ll focus on ingredients, product variety, Kitty’s reaction, and ultimately, whether Smalls lives up to its premium claims.
Smalls Cat Food: Human-Grade and Ingredient-Focused
Before even ordering, Smalls’ ingredient lists impressed me. They are refreshingly short and packed with recognizable, human-grade ingredients. No vague “mystery meat” here. You won’t find the artificial preservatives or questionable additives common in many commercial cat foods. For detailed recipe breakdowns, you can visit Smalls.com.
Many conventional wet cat foods contain hidden fillers and stabilizers. Guar gum, for instance, is often used to bind ingredients or create specific textures, but can sometimes contain carrageenan, a potentially harmful additive. Some “premium” brands also use artificial colors, flavors, and synthetic vitamin additives like menadione sodium bisulfite (synthetic Vitamin K), which has been linked to potential health concerns.
Another red flag in pet food is “meat by-products.” AAFCO defines these as “non-rendered, clean parts other than meat, derived from slaughterhouse animals.” Not exactly appetizing for us, and certainly not something I want for Kitty.
Smalls stands apart by specifying organ meats, a vital nutrient source for obligate carnivores like cats. Instead of just listing “liver,” Smalls recipes clearly state the type of liver – chicken, duck, or beef – ensuring transparency and quality.
The “human-grade” label isn’t just marketing hype. Smalls uses the same quality ingredients you’d find in your own grocery store – real chicken, beef, turkey, duck, and vegetables. Their food is cooked to human-grade standards in USDA-inspected facilities, and all ingredients, including supplements, are sourced from the US or Canada. This commitment to quality justifies the higher price point and offers peace of mind, especially when many brands source ingredients and manufacture overseas where standards may differ.
I was also intrigued by their Freeze-Dried Raw option. Kitty had been showing interest in the foster kittens’ kibble, and I hoped this could be a healthier, crunchier alternative. Smalls emphasizes that Freeze-Dried Raw is “NOT kibble,” highlighting the nutritional compromises of traditional kibble production and its lack of hydration. While wet food remains my priority, Smalls Freeze-Dried Raw offers a way to incorporate the benefits of a raw diet – high protein and retained nutrients – without the risks of bacteria and handling raw meat.
But the ultimate test: would Kitty actually eat Smalls?
Flavor and Texture Variety: Catering to Finicky Felines
Fortunately, Kitty isn’t allergic to anything, but she can be picky. Beef and certain seafoods are often rejected. Smalls offers a decent range of flavors and textures to appeal to discerning cats.
Their Human-Grade Fresh line includes Fresh Bird (chicken), Fresh Other Bird (turkey & chicken liver), and Fresh Cow (beef & beef liver). The “Fresh Cow” option is great for cats with chicken sensitivities. What’s truly innovative is the texture choice – “smooth” or “ground.” For cats particular about texture, this is a game-changer. Kitty prefers smooth pâtés or mousse-like textures, so this was a big plus.
Smalls Freeze-Dried Raw comes in Raw Bird (chicken), Raw Other Bird (turkey), and Raw Water Bird (duck). Raw diets are gaining popularity, but require careful planning. Smalls Freeze-Dried Raw offers a safer, more convenient way to incorporate raw food benefits.
I initially ordered:
- Human-Grade Fresh ‘Bird’ Cat Food (chicken)
- Human-Grade Fresh ‘Other Bird’ Cat Food (turkey & chicken liver)
- Freeze-Dried Raw Bird (crunchy raw chicken)
For first-time buyers unsure where to begin, Smalls offers a sampler pack to let your cat try different flavors and textures before customizing a subscription.
Transitioning to Smalls and Kitty’s Initial Reaction
Introducing new food to cats requires patience. A gradual transition is crucial to avoid digestive upset. I started by mixing Smalls with the Purina Pro-Plan the kittens were eating – which Kitty had also developed a taste for. This worked well initially.
However, when I offered Fresh Bird alone, Kitty staged a mini hunger strike. A quick online search reminded me of a helpful trick: warming the food. Smalls also offers a Cat Concierge service for transition support.
Warming Up to Smalls: A Pro Tip
Microwaving cat food briefly can enhance its aroma, which is especially helpful for picky eaters. Since Smalls is refrigerated, it was colder than Kitty’s usual canned food. Smalls also has a milder aroma compared to some other wet foods. A 10-second zap in the microwave with the Fresh Bird, and Kitty was sold!
Over two weeks, I fed Kitty Fresh Bird and Fresh Other Bird twice daily, supplementing with her previous food as needed since she typically eats a lot. She definitely preferred the Fresh Bird (chicken) and ate it more enthusiastically than the Fresh Other Bird (turkey & chicken liver). Even the foster kittens, usually unfussy eaters, eagerly sampled and enjoyed both flavors.
Freeze-Dried Raw: Love at First Bite
I confess, I didn’t follow instructions perfectly with the Freeze-Dried Raw Bird. I offered a few nuggets as treats. Kitty went wild! Purring, head-rubbing – she adored them. It was a breakthrough moment!
From then on, Freeze-Dried Raw became her “cat snack” between meals, replacing less healthy kibble. Knowing she was enjoying a nutritious, crunchy treat was a win. The foster kittens loved it too. The Freeze-Dried Raw Bird was a hit across the board. I’ve since ordered the other flavors to explore and plan to send the foster kittens to their forever homes with some of their new favorite treats.
Positive Changes Noticed After Switching to Smalls
Within weeks of introducing Smalls, I observed several positive changes in Kitty, mirroring experiences shared by other Smalls customers online.
1. Improved Coat and Hydration: Kitty’s coat became noticeably silkier and shinier. Her eyes were brighter, and she seemed well-hydrated. The “pinch test” confirmed good hydration, and her gums were healthy and moist.
2. Less Odorous Stool: Surprisingly, stool odor decreased significantly. With multiple cats, litter box smells are noticeable. But after Smalls, both Kitty’s and the kittens’ stools were much less pungent.
3. Increased Energy Levels: This was the most striking difference. Kitty had more energy, exhibiting more “zoomies” and playful behavior, even interacting more with the kittens. The kittens also had extended playtime and seemed more energetic overall. The mere sound of the Freeze-Dried Raw bag sent them into a frenzy.
This boost in energy, coupled with the improved coat and digestion, convinced me of Smalls’ positive impact on feline health and well-being, both short and long-term.
Smalls Cat Food: Final Verdict
Overall, I give Smalls Cat Food a 5-star rating. It lives up to its promises of quality, and the positive changes in Kitty were evident quickly.
The packaging isn’t ideal for storage, but easily remedied with a container. Smalls also offers “Smallsware” containers as an add-on. Warming the food slightly adds a few seconds to meal prep, but it’s a small price for fresh, healthy food.
While Kitty’s size means a full Smalls diet might be costly long-term, I plan to keep her on 70-80% Smalls and supplement as needed. I’m confident that Smalls is a worthwhile investment in Kitty’s health and happiness.
Julia Sosa
Pumpkin Pet Insurance Expert & Pet Parent
