You've probably seen the ads. Sleek packaging, claims of "human-grade" turkey, and promises that your cat's litter box will suddenly stop smelling like a biohazard. But then you get to the checkout page and things get a little... vague. If you're wondering how much is Smalls cat food before you hand over your credit card info, you aren't alone. It is not as simple as grabbing a $15 bag of kibble from the grocery store shelf.
The short answer? For a single, average-sized cat, you’re looking at roughly $3 to $4 per day.
That works out to about $90 to $120 a month. Yeah, it's a jump. If you're coming from Friskies, it feels like moving from a diner to a five-star bistro. But the pricing structure is built on a subscription model that shifts depending on your cat's weight, appetite, and how many "extras" you toss into the cart.
Breaking Down the Smalls Pricing Tiers
Smalls doesn't really do "one size fits all." When you sign up, you take a quiz about your cat’s age, build, and activity level. This is where the math starts.
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For most people, the journey starts with the Sampler Box. Usually, this runs about $32 to $35 (often discounted with a 20-50% off promo for new customers). This is basically a trial run to see if your cat will actually eat the stuff or just stare at you with judgment.
The Subscription Math
Once the trial ends, you move to the full-price shipments. Here is the general breakdown of how much is Smalls cat food in the wild:
- Individual 5oz Fresh Packages: These are the backbone of the plan, costing about $4.00 per pack.
- The "Premium" Tax: If you go for the pulled textures or beef-based recipes (like the "Ground Cow"), expect to pay a premium. Some specific recipes add about $0.50 extra per packet.
- Freeze-Dried Treats: Their "Puffy Bird" or catnip treats usually add another $9 to $12 per bag to your total.
Shipping is another factor. While the trial box usually ships for free, standard recurring orders often carry a $10 shipping fee unless your order hits a certain threshold. Most people find that the "Full" plan (shipped every 4 weeks) is the most cost-effective way to dodge that extra ten-dollar hit.
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Why Does It Cost So Much More Than Kibble?
Honestly, the price gap is huge. You can get a massive bag of dry food for $20 that lasts a month. So why pay $100?
It comes down to what is actually in the bag. Most grocery store brands are loaded with "meat by-products" and fillers like corn or soy. Smalls is essentially "real" food—USDA-certified proteins that are gently cooked. You can actually see the texture of the meat.
There is also the "hidden" value people talk about in reviews. I’ve seen countless owners mention that their cats' coats got shinier and, more importantly, they stopped throwing up. If a premium food saves you one $400 vet visit for a urinary tract issue or digestive distress, the monthly cost starts to look a bit different.
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The Multiple Cat Dilemma
If you live in a multi-cat household, the math gets scary fast.
Feeding two cats Smalls exclusively can easily top $200 a month. For many, that's just not sustainable. A common "hack" is to use Smalls as a topper. You feed high-quality kibble for the bulk of the calories and mix in half a pack of Smalls fresh food once a day. This cuts your cost in half while still giving your cat those high-moisture, high-protein benefits.
Is It Actually Worth the Monthly Bill?
Value is subjective, but here is the reality of the service in 2026.
The convenience is a big part of what you're paying for. The food shows up on your porch, frozen solid in dry ice. No more lugging heavy cans from the store. However, the packaging can be a bit of a pain. It isn't always "single-serve" easy; you often have to squeeze the food out of a plastic sleeve, which is messy.
What to Watch Out For
- The Auto-Renew: Smalls is a subscription service. If you don't cancel or pause after the trial, that $100+ charge will hit your bank account.
- Portioning: Unlike some competitors who pre-portion every meal, Smalls often requires you to eyeball the amount or use a scale if your cat is on a strict diet.
- Storage: This food lives in your freezer. If you have a tiny apartment fridge, storing a month's worth of frozen meat tubes is a logistical puzzle.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Wallet
- Start with the 50% Promo: Never pay full price for the first box. There is almost always a code like "DELIVERY50" or "CATS50" floating around.
- Calculate Your "Daily Spend": Compare what you currently spend on cans. If you're already buying high-end canned food like Tiki Cat or Weruva, the jump to Smalls might only be $20-$30 more per month.
- Adjust Frequency: If the monthly cost is too high, you can set your deliveries to every 8 or 12 weeks and use it as a "special" meal instead of their entire diet.
- Check the "Cat Concierge": Smalls has a text-based customer service team. If you find you have too much food piling up, text them to skip a month immediately. They are surprisingly responsive compared to most big-box brands.
At the end of the day, knowing how much is Smalls cat food helps you decide if you're buying a luxury or an investment in your cat's longevity. It's expensive, yes, but for cats with chronic stomach issues or those who refuse to drink water, that $3 a day might be the cheapest "medicine" you ever buy.