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Smalls vs Cat Person: Pros, Cons & Verdict

Discover which fresh cat food subscription wins: Smalls or Cat Person? Compare quality, price, variety & more for your feline friend.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach
Created on

Both Smalls and Cat Person deliver high-quality fresh cat food via subscription, prioritizing nutrition for cats with human-grade ingredients and vet-formulated recipes. However, differences in sourcing, variety, pricing, and freshness set them apart, helping cat owners decide based on their pet’s needs and budget.

About Smalls Cat Food

Smalls specializes in

fresh, gently cooked wet cat food

designed for optimal feline health. Their recipes use USDA-certified, human-grade ingredients sourced exclusively from North America, ensuring responsible and sustainable practices. Developed with veterinary nutritionists, all formulas meet AAFCO standards for all life stages, emphasizing high protein with no fillers, grains, or preservatives.

Smalls’ wet foods come in two textures:

ground

(chunkier for picky eaters) and

smooth

(pate-style), each in four flavors like chicken, turkey, and fish blends. Recipes are gently cooked to retain nutrients, then flash-frozen for delivery, requiring freezer storage and 24-hour thawing. They also offer freeze-dried raw options with smaller kibble for easy eating, plus add-ons like litter and toys.
  • Key Pros: Human-grade, North American sourcing; multiple textures; high protein (e.g., Smooth Bird Recipe with single chicken protein for sensitivities).
  • Key Cons: Premium pricing; requires freezer space; shipping fees on smaller orders.

About Cat Person Cat Food

Cat Person provides a broader range of

wet foods, dry kibble, and treats

through subscription, focusing on convenience and variety. Their products feature high-protein, grain-free formulas with at least 50% more protein than industry averages, using clean ingredients without artificial additives.

Wet foods dominate with eight proteins (chicken, tuna, salmon, turkey, duck, beef) in two textures:

shreds in broth

or

pate

, packed in 2.75-ounce cups (5 per sleeve). Shelf-stable unopened, they include serve-and-store tools like spoons and lids. Dry food supplements wet options, though with slightly higher carbs, and treats add nutritional boosts.
  • Key Pros: Extensive variety (19+ recipes); affordable per ounce; free shipping and resealable packaging.
  • Key Cons: Global manufacturing (Thailand/U.S. co-packers); not always single-protein; less emphasis on USDA human-grade.

Smalls Product Line

Smalls excels in

wet food innovation

with ground and smooth textures in flavors like Smooth Bird (chicken-based, nutrient-dense pate) and Ground Fish (for omega-rich meals). These lock in freshness via gentle cooking and freezing, promoting benefits like shinier coats, less litter odor, and higher energy per their claims, backed by nutritionist input and batch testing for pathogens.

Freeze-dried raw kibble offers a dry alternative with clean ingredients. Subscriptions customize mixes, frequencies, and trials with first-order discounts.

Cat Person Product Line

Wet Food

Cat Person’s

wet lineup

includes shreds or pate in proteins like tuna, mackerel, salmon-tuna, duck-chicken, and beef. Priced at $1.45 per cup ($7.25/sleeve), it’s ideal for daily feeding (e.g., 200 calories/day for average cats).

Dry Food & Treats

Dry kibble provides crunch variety, supplemented by high-protein treats doubling as supplements. Accessories like bowls and toys enhance the experience, with shelf-stable convenience avoiding freezer needs.

Head-to-Head Comparison

We evaluated Smalls and Cat Person across key factors using AAFCO guidelines and nutrition expert standards for balanced feline diets high in animal protein.

CategoryWinnerDetails
VarietyCat Person19+ wet recipes, dry, treats vs. Smalls’ focused 8 wet + raw. More proteins, textures, single-fish options.
PriceCat PersonCheaper per ounce; free shipping, 10% subscription discount. Smalls charges $10 shipping sometimes.
IngredientsSmallsUSDA human-grade from North America vs. Cat Person’s global co-packers.
FreshnessSmallsGently cooked, frozen for nutrient lock-in vs. shelf-stable Cat Person.
AvailabilityTieBoth customizable subscriptions with flexible delivery.
Eco-FriendlinessSmallsShorter North American supply chain, eco-packaging vs. international shipping.
Animal TestingSmallsHuman tasting + animal testing; no dedicated test animals.

Overall Brand Reputation

Smalls earns praise for

premium quality

and cat health improvements (e.g., fewer hairballs, better digestion), with transparent sourcing and vet backing. Cat Person shines in

user experience

, variety, and value, appealing to convenience-focused owners.

Conclusion & Verdict

**Smalls wins for quality** if prioritizing USDA-certified, fresh, human-grade food with North American sourcing—ideal for health-conscious owners okay with higher costs and storage.

Cat Person excels in value and variety

, suiting budget-minded cats loving options without freezer hassle. Test both via trials; consult vets for sensitivities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which is cheaper, Smalls or Cat Person?

A: Cat Person offers better value per ounce with free shipping and discounts; Smalls is pricier but justifies with premium ingredients.

Q: Are Smalls ingredients better than Cat Person?

A: Yes, Smalls uses USDA human-grade from North America; Cat Person relies on global co-packers.

Q: Does Cat Person have dry food?

A: Yes, alongside extensive wet and treats; Smalls has limited dry raw options.

Q: Is Smalls food fresher?

A: Absolutely—gently cooked and frozen vs. Cat Person’s shelf-stable cups.

Q: Which is more eco-friendly?

A: Smalls, due to local sourcing and packaging.

References

  1. Smalls vs Cat Person: Pros, Cons & Our Verdict — Catster. 2023. https://www.catster.com/nutrition/smalls-vs-cat-person-cat-food/
  2. Smalls vs Cat Person: Which Fresh Cat Food is Right for Your Cat — Hepper. 2023. https://articles.hepper.com/smalls-vs-cat-person-fresh-cat-food/
  3. Cat Person vs. Smalls: See My Cat’s Favorite — My Subscription Addiction. 2023. https://www.mysubscriptionaddiction.com/cat-person-vs-smalls-see-my-cats-favorite
  4. My Honest Review of Smalls Cat Food (2025) — The Quality Edit. 2025-01-01. https://www.thequalityedit.com/articles/smalls-cat-food-review
  5. Unbiased Cat Person Cat Food Review — Cats.com. 2023. https://cats.com/cat-person-cat-food-review
Sneha Tete
Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to fluffyaffair,  crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete