Last updated Jun 15, 2023
Medically reviewed by
Our Review Process
Our reviews are based on extensive research and, when possible, hands-on testing. Each time you make a purchase through one of our independently-chosen links, we’ll receive a percentage of the proceeds. Read more about how we’re supported here.It’s the summer of 2023, and cat food meal delivery services are hot. These companies prepare homemade-style—usually human-grade—cat food and ship it to your door according to a custom subscription. Between ingredient quality, palatability, packaging quality, and managing the subscription itself, there’s a lot to analyze.
After trying just about every cat food delivery service on the market, we’ve ranked five services that offer a combination of product quality and customer experience that could make them worth the recurring subscription cost.
Because it’s one of the only services that provides a wide variety of flavors including fish, chicken, turkey, beef, multiple textures, and freeze-dried varieties, we’ve chosen Smalls as the overall best fresh cat food meal delivery service. On top of a strong product variety, this brand’s fresh foods are fully human-grade and received a unanimous paws-up from our taste testers.
Read on to learn more about Smalls and the rest of our top recommendations.
At a Glance: Best Best Fresh Cat Food Meal Delivery Service
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Smalls Cat Food Delivery
- Wide variety of recipes and product types
- Rich in species-appropriate nutrition for cats
- High-quality, human-grade ingredients
Milk Pet Food Cat Food Chicken Recipe
- Rich in animal-derived protein
- Gently cooked to preserve nutrition and flavor
- Primarily made with whole food ingredients
Just Food for Dogs JustCats Fish & Chicken
- Rich in high-quality animal protein
- High moisture content
- Easily digestible, no artificial additives
Raised Right Cat Food
- Recipes formulated by veterinarian, Dr. Karen Becker
- Limited ingredient whole food recipes that are low in carbs
- 100% human-grade food made in a USDA inspected facility
My Perfect Pet Cat Food Toby’s Turkey Carnivore Grain-Free Blend Cat Food
- A low-phosphorus option is available for cats with kidney issues
- Available in several flavors to satisfy different needs
- Cats loved the way it tastes
Top Picks Explained
Why Trust Cats.com
We reviewed our first cat food delivery service in 2018, and since then, we’ve independently purchased and reviewed food from a total of six different services.
Based on our experience reviewing over 200 cat food brands, our recommendations begin with dozens of hours of research on each brand’s background and nutritional offer.
To test these products, we worked with three writers and fifteen feline taste testers. Each reviewer walked through their signup and ordering processes, monitored the speed of the delivery, and evaluated how the packages arrived. Once the food was out of the box, we observed how well it was sealed, how easy it was to serve, and what our cats thought of each recipe.
Finally, we canceled all of the subscriptions, taking notes on how easy it was to end a subscription once it was started.
In addition to performing our own qualitative analysis of the brands reviewed here, we submitted samples of most of them for analysis at an ISO 17025-certified food testing and analysis lab.
We bought the products at full retail price, and the entire testing process was funded by Cats.com without direct input or influence from the companies involved.
Analytical testing in a food chemistry lab gives us the exact macronutrient and micronutrient content of each recipe. The tests also look at microbial content, yeast, mold, and heavy metals, helping you ensure that you’re only putting the best in your cat’s bowl.
Also Read: Why We Lab Test Cat Food and How to Interpret the Reports
The Best Fresh Cat Food Meal Delivery: Our Top 5 Recommendations
#1 Overall Best: Smalls Ground Bird Recipe
I’ve been trying this food since around the time the brand launched.
Their line of human-grade fresh foods includes 4 different proteins: fish, chicken, beef, and turkey, and these come in a variety of smooth and ground textures. All of them are primarily made from animal ingredients and are rich in protein with minimal plant matter. Of the brands I’ve tried, this one has the largest variety of recipes and is the only one that also offers freeze-dried raw food.
And my cats love it—Smalls has made up about 25% of their diet over the last few months, and they always seem to enjoy the fresh meat taste.
How The Subscription Works
As for the subscription, you go through a questionnaire that asks you about your cats’ age and weight, then generates a customizable meal plan for you. The sampler box is the beginning of a subscription, so you must cancel your next order in time if you don’t want it.
When managing your subscription, I found that everything worked pretty well. In previous years, I’ve encountered some issues with fulfillment and managing the subscription. However, things have gotten a lot better in the last year. I’ve had consistent shipments, easy cancellations, and an improved experience with the customer portal. My one gripe is the lack of phone support, but the company is responsive via email and text messages.
How Much It Costs
While you’ll pay more for Smalls than a typical grocery store cat food, the price is moderate compared to similar services. With 20% off each sampler, my first box cost $32 with free shipping. My monthly price was $112 a month, which breaks down to about $4 a day for one cat. And as of June 2023, new customers get free treats for life.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Green Beans, Peas, Water (Sufficient For Processing), Chicken Hearts, Kale, Tricalcium Phosphate, Canola Oil, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Taurine, Magnesium Sulfate, Niacinamide, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Outstanding variety of recipe options, including fresh, freeze-dried, and dry food
- Smalls foods are species-appropriate and nutritious
- High-quality, human-grade foods
- Affordable compared to similar services
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not a customized product
- Confusing website, customer experience is hit-or-miss
#2 Premium Pick: Milk Pet Foods Cat Food Chicken Recipe
My next recommendation is a new discovery from a brand called Milk Pet Foods. Based in Colorado, this young brand has brand offers a single fresh cat food recipe. All of their ingredients are human-grade and sourced from local vendors, then prepared and cooked to order.
Their recipe is primarily made from chicken thighs, liver, and heart, with a variety of plant ingredients added to make the food nutritionally complete.
Instead of using synthetic additives, the food relies exclusively on whole-food ingredients to reach AAFCO guidelines. When contacted, the company provided a typical nutrient analysis, confirming that the food met the appropriate nutrient requirements.
Both of my cats enjoyed their meals and always ate with enthusiasm.
How The Subscription Works
Like Smalls, Milk Pet Foods asks that you complete a questionnaire about your cat before starting a subscription. While the signup flow asks about cats’ health issues, the foods aren’t formulated for them. Instead, the company says that they can pass this information along to a staff veterinarian and potentially give suggestions based on any special needs.
I used Milk Pet Foods cat food for a few months, and my deliveries were always consistent. Food fresh, cold, and on time. Canceling the subscription was easy as well.
How Much It Costs
A subscription starts at $15 per week, and my subscription cost $70.99 per month for one cat, which breaks down to about $4.73 per day.
Ingredients
Chicken Thighs, Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, Pumpkin, Ground Flaxseed, Seaweed Calcium, Cod Liver Oil, Roasted Pumpkin And Squash Seeds, Organic Kelp, Sea Salt
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rich in animal-derived protein
- Gently cooked to preserve nutrition and flavor
- Primarily made with whole food ingredients
- Cats loved the flavor
What We Didn’t Like:
- Only one fresh food formula is currently available
- Packaging can be frustrating to open
#3 Best Mid-Range: Just Food for Dogs JustCats Fish & Chicken
As you’d expect from a brand called Just Food for Dogs, this company prioritizes dog food. In addition to a range of fresh dog foods and treats, the brand offers a single cat food recipe called JustCats Fish & Chicken.
The brand is known for its homemade-style fresh foods made from high-quality ingredients, and its cat food recipe features a combination of wild-caught Alaskan cod, chicken muscle meat and liver, and whole Atlantic sardines. It’s a fully human-grade product held to high manufacturing standards.
My cats had mixed reactions to this food. Forest, who enjoys fish-based foods more than Wessie, ate it excitedly, but Wessie was less enthusiastic.
How The Subscription Works
Notably, Just Food for Dogs cat food is not exclusively a cat food subscription service. Instead, the food is available either as a one-time purchase or a recurring subscription. Opting for a subscription saves you 40% off your first order and 5% off all recurring orders.
If you live in certain parts of the United States, you can also buy it in-store at Pet Food Express, Petco, certain vet clinics, and Just Food for Dogs retail kitchens.
How Much It Costs
A single 18-ounce bag costs $0.79 per ounce, but a monthly subscription brings that price down to $0.75 per ounce or about $4.50 a day.
Flat rate shipping is $19.99 for orders that do not meet free shipping minimums. Free shipping is available on frozen orders and dry goods (DIY kits, supplements, treats, and merchandise) over $99. This is valid in the Continental U.S. only. For more information about their shipping policy and costs, please visit this page.
Ingredients
Wild-Caught Alaska Pacific Cod, Chicken Thighs, Chicken Hearts, Chicken Liver, Tapioca Starch, Whole Atlantic Sardines, JustFoodForDogs Nutrient Blend
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rich in real animal protein from chicken and fish
- Gently cooked to preserve nutrition and flavor
- Completely free from fillers and artificial additives
- Save 40% on first autoship and 5% on recurring orders
What We Didn’t Like:
- Only one fresh food formula is currently available
- Some cats may be sensitive/allergic to chicken or fish
#4 Best For Sensitive Stomachs: Raised Right Turkey Recipe
The thing that I like most about Raised Right is its exceptional transparency. The brand offers complete nutrient profiles and information on their lab testing on the website. Raised Right was also the first company to voluntarily submit a recipe to be tested by Check Your Pet Food, an independent organization testing pet food for nutritional adequacy, contamination, and more.
Like Smalls, Just Food for Cats, and My Perfect Pet (which we’ll review next), Raised Right offers 100% human-grade cat food, meaning that not only are the ingredients USDA human-grade but the foods are made in a human food facility as well.
Four recipes are available. You can choose from turkey, chicken, turkey and pumpkin, and chicken and pumpkin formulas. Regardless of the primary protein, all of these recipes share a variety of plant ingredients, including organic spearmint, flaxseed oil, parsley, and dried kelp.
While these ingredients are nutrient-dense and flesh out the nutritional profile of the food, I’m worried that they may make them less palatable to cats.
After trying it with over 10 cats, most of our taste testers either refused or showed little interest in the food.
However, I’ve seen positive reviews and results from other customers. Between the company’s integrity, food quality, and nutritional offering,
Raised Right should be worth a try in spite of below-average palatability results. Raised Right does have a money back guarantee where they’ll refund your first box if you’re not satisfied so if your cats aren’t a fan, you can rest easy knowing you’ll be refunded if it doesn’t work out.
How The Subscription Works
To order, you’ll choose from either a sampler box or a full box, and plans are extremely adjustable. In addition to a one-time order, you can set up a subscription. Flexible subscriptions range between deliveries once every week and every 28 weeks.
Managing the account was easy, and my delivery arrived fresh, cold, and according to schedule.
How Much It Costs
The price depends on how much your cat weighs and eats, but for a 10-lb cat, it would cost about $4.12 a day to feed Raised Right.
Ingredients
Turkey Thigh, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Carrots, Blueberries, Organic Spearmint, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Flaxseed Oil, Organic Dried Kelp, Taurine, Thiamine Mononitrate.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Formulated by a veterinarian and pet food formulation expert
- Releases documentation on lab testing
- Fully human-grade products
- Species-appropriate recipes honor your cat’s needs as a carnivore
What We Didn’t Like:
- Hasn’t received a lot of customer reviews, making it difficult to gauge customer experience
- Very small selection doesn’t provide a lot of options for picky cats
- The foods aren’t custom-portioned and you’ll still have to measure meals out for your cat
#5 Best For Seniors: My Perfect Pet Cat Food Toby’s Turkey Carnivore Grain-Free Blend Cat Food
My last recommendation is from a less well-known company called My Perfect Pet. The company offers three different varieties of cat food—beef, turkey, and a specialty low-phosphorus blend. I ordered this one for my cat, Forest, to help with her kidney disease.
Except for the low-phosphorus food, all of their recipes meet AAFCO nutrient profiles. They’re all 100% human-grade recipes made from human-quality ingredients in a human food facility.
Nutritionally, their foods are all species-appropriate and look like wholesome, meat-based options for your cat.
While I was unable to find any reviews from other customers, I had a good experience ordering from My Perfect Pet. My delivery arrived fresh, frozen, and on time, and my cats loved the food.
How The Subscription Works
Your box size is adjustable, and you can adjust your delivery schedule to receive a box between once every week and once every ten weeks. In addition to a flexible meal delivery plan, you can buy it in a limited number of stores in the United States.
Their descriptions of boxes and the amount of food could be communicated more clearly. They describe the default box as a “6-pack”, but it’s six packs of ten individually wrapped cat food bars, meaning roughly a 60-day supply. Keep this in mind when ordering.
How Much It Costs
Your starting price is high, but in terms of price per day, this food ends up being cheaper than the competition. My one-off order of 60 one-day servings cost $197.94 plus overnight shipping, for a total of almost $223. At one bar per day for a 10-lb cat, that breaks down to $3.71 per day. Since Forest is a bit lighter than that, her daily cost is under $2 each day, lower than that of any of the other brands reviewed here.
Ingredients
Turkey Thigh & Breast, Yam, Spinach, Cranberries, Tricalcium Phosphate, Iodized Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Coconut Oil, Dried Kelp, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- A low-phosphorus option is available for cats with kidney issues
- Available in several flavors to satisfy different needs
- Cats loved the way it tastes
- Cheaper over time compared to other brands
What We Didn’t Like:
- Very high upfront cost
What to Consider When Shopping for a Cat Food Meal Delivery Service
- Prioritize Nutrition: The food should be nutritionally complete and balanced according to AAFCO (the Association of American Feed Control Officials) guidelines. Beyond meeting those baseline nutritional requirements, great cat food is rich in animal protein with the right amount of fat and not too much plant matter.
- Think About Quality: Most fresh cat food delivery services claim to use human-grade ingredients. Prioritize those that offer human-quality ingredients from reputable sources and adhere to strict manufacturing standards.
- Consider Product Variety: If you’re going to be relying on a cat food delivery service as your cat’s only source of food, that service should be able to provide the types of protein sources, textures, and flavors your cat likes and needs.
- Don’t Forget Customer Experience: We’re looking for easy navigation, plenty of options for customizing your subscription, and a history of good customer service.
- Make Sure You Can Afford It: Buying a fresh cat food meal delivery isn’t cheap, but it should be affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fresh food is best for cats?
The best fresh cat food is rich in high-quality animal-derived ingredients, including fresh meat, organs, and animal fat. It should meet AAFCO guidelines for your cat’s life stage and come from a reputable company.
Is fresh cat food better for cats?
There’s not much research on the benefits of fresh, homemade-style food versus traditional foods for cats. Compared to heavily-processed dry foods, however, these products tend to retain more of the nutritional integrity of their ingredients and may be a more efficient source of nutrition for your cat.
Which cat food company is best?
Great cat food companies have a robust research and development department and work with veterinary nutritionists, allowing them to formulate species-appropriate, nutritious foods for cats. They adhere to strict safety and quality protocols and take consistent action to make sure their products are safe and wholesome for cats.
What is the best top-of-the-line cat food?
The best cat food for any particular cat depends on their unique needs, but all of the best top-of-the-line cat foods offer excellent ingredient quality, species-appropriate formulation, and meet AAFCO guidelines for the cat’s given life stage.
Thank you for reviewing the foods for our feline family members. I was not aware of the Just Foods and Smalls companies..
I would like to try Just Foods for cats but, they are out of stock at this time, so we ordered the trial pack from Smalls.
We previously used NomNom Fish Meals but, unfortunately, they no longer offer the Fish Meals for cats which is why we were searching for another company.
Thanks again for your reviews.
This is a great list, thank you for taking the time to review them and post about the companies in such detail.
I would like to say that Smalls is not consistent. We have been a customer for going on 2 years and for the past year, we have been receiving rotten warm food for our cat. The gently cooked food is frozen, which is the only food we buy. They have offered us a refund several times, yet that does not feed our cat when she runs out of food due to the incompetence of their warehouse. They also have strict shipping days and times and when a new shipment is needing to be sent out to replace the rotten or incorrect product, we’ve been told “we missed the shipping cutoff” for that week. Sometimes that can transpire to another 10 days before cat food is delivered. That is unacceptable in our standards.
They blame a 3rd party shipping company for the problem. I have suggested numerous times a shipping company that without fail always delivers our dog food frozen. I appreciate they are a “newer” company, but the life of my cat has been so disrupted, not to mention the stress and anxiety we experience due not being able to trust our shipments will arrive safe to consume and arrive as the correct order. If this problem only happened once or twice, we could potentially understand. But it has occurred too many times to count. We cancelled our auto-ship and will not recommend them to anyone.
Hi Stacey, thank you for sharing your experience with Smalls. We forwarded your message to the Smalls support team and they said that the issues you experienced may have been related to recent extreme weather in the United States. However, it sounds like your experiences started further back, and I can echo that consistency has been a, well, consistent issue over the last year. Of course, we also have the pandemic to blame for that. At any rate, we’re currently gearing up to do a complete rewrite of this review after ordering new batches of food and re-evaluating their updated customer flow, and I hope to bring good news. Until then, thanks again for being here, and I’m sorry you had a disappointing experience with this company. – Mallory
Im scared of the spearmint in the Raised Right. Many sources claim it is toxic for cats.