In recent years, fresh cat food delivery services have become a popular option for cat owners who want to provide their furry companions with high-quality, nutritionally balanced meals. With so many brands entering the market, it can be difficult to know whether these services are right for you and your feline friend. In this post, we’ll explore the benefits and costs associated with fresh cat food delivery, as well as compare five top services: Smalls, The Honest Kitchen, Cat Person, Just Food For Cats, and We Feed Raw.
Benefits of Fresh Cat Food Delivery Services
- Higher-Quality Ingredients
Fresh cat food delivery services typically focus on providing meals made from premium, human-grade ingredients. These meals often avoid the fillers, artificial additives, and by-products commonly found in traditional dry and canned pet foods. - Balanced and Tailored Nutrition
Many of these services offer meals formulated by veterinary nutritionists to ensure they meet all of your cat’s dietary needs. Some even offer options tailored to specific health issues or dietary preferences (e.g., grain-free, low-carb, etc.). - Convenience
Instead of worrying about trips to the pet store or running out of food, fresh food delivery services bring the meals straight to your door. With subscription options, you can schedule regular deliveries to ensure you never run out. - Health Benefits
Cats on fresh food diets often enjoy shinier coats, improved digestion, higher energy levels, and even weight management. Fresh, whole foods can be easier for cats to digest and provide better overall nutrition than some commercial options. - Transparency
These services often provide clear information about the sourcing of their ingredients, giving pet owners peace of mind about the quality and origins of their cat’s food.
Costs and Considerations
While fresh cat food delivery has numerous benefits, there are also some important factors to consider:
- Price
Fresh cat food delivery services tend to be more expensive than traditional pet foods. While prices vary depending on the brand and subscription plan, it’s important to compare costs to determine if it’s within your budget. - Storage
Fresh meals typically need to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, which can take up space. You’ll also need to remember to thaw meals ahead of time. - Transitioning Your Cat
Cats are notorious for being picky eaters, and switching to a fresh food diet can require a gradual transition. You’ll need to monitor your cat for any signs of digestive upset during the process. - Subscription Commitment
Many of these services operate on a subscription basis. While this is convenient, it’s important to choose a company with flexible options in case you need to pause or cancel your service.
Comparing the Top Fresh Cat Food Delivery Services
Now, let’s dive into a comparison of five leading fresh cat food delivery brands.
1. Smalls
- Overview: Smalls offers fresh, human-grade cat food made with simple, recognizable ingredients. Their meals come in a variety of textures, including smooth, ground, and pâté-style, appealing to different feline preferences.
- Cost: Pricing starts at around $2 per day for smaller cats but varies based on portion size and meal plan.
- Benefits: Smalls provides protein-rich meals with no fillers, grains, or artificial ingredients. They also offer freeze-dried raw options.
- Considerations: Smalls requires storage in the fridge or freezer. There is a subscription, but you can pause or cancel anytime.
- Website: Smalls
2. The Honest Kitchen
- Overview: The Honest Kitchen provides dehydrated and wet food options that are human-grade and made with whole foods. Their cat meals come in both turkey and chicken varieties.
- Cost: Starting at around $2.50 per day for a cat, depending on the size and plan.
- Benefits: The Honest Kitchen is known for offering minimally processed, high-quality ingredients. The dehydrated meals are easy to store and require just water to rehydrate.
- Considerations: Dehydrated food may not be as palatable to some cats, and it requires preparation (mixing with water).
- Website: The Honest Kitchen
3. Cat Person
- Overview: Cat Person offers wet and dry cat food made from high-quality, responsibly sourced ingredients. Their meals are designed to be protein-rich, mimicking a natural feline diet.
- Cost: Prices start at around $1.50 to $2 per day, depending on your cat’s dietary needs.
- Benefits: Cat Person provides flexibility with both wet and dry food options, and their meals are grain-free. Their packaging is also designed for easy serving and storage.
- Considerations: Their wet food comes in a pâté texture, which may not be appealing to all cats.
- Website: Cat Person
4. Just Food For Cats
- Overview: Just Food For Cats, a division of JustFoodForDogs, offers vet-formulated, fresh-frozen meals for cats made with real, whole ingredients. Their recipes are designed for optimal nutrition.
- Cost: Expect to pay around $3 to $4 per day depending on portion size and subscription plan.
- Benefits: These meals are high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and made without preservatives. The company offers consultations with veterinary nutritionists to ensure the best diet for your cat.
- Considerations: Requires freezer storage and thawing before serving.
- Website: Just Food For Cats
5. We Feed Raw
- Overview: We Feed Raw offers a completely raw, species-appropriate diet for cats, focusing on muscle meat, organs, and bones. They pride themselves on providing minimally processed, nutrient-dense meals.
- Cost: Plans start around $4 per day, depending on your cat’s size and needs.
- Benefits: Raw diets can help promote a healthier coat, better digestion, and lean muscle mass. We Feed Raw uses high-quality, human-grade meat in their formulations.
- Considerations: Raw feeding requires strict handling practices to ensure food safety, and it may not be the right fit for every cat.
- Website: We Feed Raw
Conclusion: Is Fresh Cat Food Delivery Right for You?
Fresh cat food delivery services offer many benefits, including higher-quality nutrition, convenience, and peace of mind about what you’re feeding your cat. However, the higher cost, storage requirements, and commitment to a subscription plan may not suit everyone. It’s important to weigh the benefits and potential challenges to decide if a fresh food service is a good fit for you and your cat.
If you’re interested in giving one of these services a try, many offer discounts for first-time customers, allowing you to test the waters before fully committing. With so many high-quality options available, there’s likely a service out there that fits your cat’s preferences and your lifestyle.
Interested in preparing your own fresh cat food? Check out this super simple kitty soup recipe, Easy Fish Broth. It’s a sure fire feline favorite!
