Smalls Fresh Ground Other Bird is the brand’s minced turkey recipe. It is the turkey counterpart to Ground Bird, which is chicken, and it sits in the same chunky texture family as Ground Bird and Pulled Bird. For cat owners who want a poultry option other than chicken, or who want a minced texture with a different protein, it is one of the most relevant recipes in the range.
This review covers what the recipe contains, its nutrition, how cats respond to it, the storage routine, recall history, cost and the points to check before you subscribe. Where sources disagree, we say so.
What Is Smalls Fresh Ground Other Bird?
Smalls is a subscription service that sells human-grade fresh cat food, delivered frozen. Its fresh range includes smooth, ground and pulled textures. Ground Other Bird is the minced turkey recipe, and Smalls describes it as a fresh minced turkey recipe.
Smalls was founded in 2017 by Matt Michaelson and Calvin Bohn, and the company positions itself as a cat-first brand. The food is frozen right after cooking, which means it doesn’t rely on preservatives to stay fresh, as long as it stays frozen through shipping and storage.
For a broader overview of the delivery model, read our guide on how Smalls cat food works.
Ingredients: What Is in the Bowl
Ground Other Bird is built around turkey. A product listing for the recipe names turkey and turkey liver as its core ingredients, and the brand’s own description says the recipe is made with over 80% turkey in a mince-like texture.
Key points:
- Turkey first: The recipe is turkey-based, which makes it a useful option for cats that need a non-chicken protein.
- Turkey liver: Like the chicken recipes, the turkey version includes liver alongside muscle meat.
- Human-grade positioning: Smalls describes its proteins as high-quality, human-grade ingredients.
- Few plant ingredients: The brand’s recipes generally use very few plant ingredients, but check the current packet for the full list.
There is one point to verify. One review describes the Other Bird recipe as a blend of turkey thigh and chicken liver, which doesn’t match the product listing. Recipes are reformulated from time to time, so always check the ingredient panel on the packet you receive.
For a full breakdown of ingredients across the range, see our Smalls cat food ingredients guide.
Nutrition Facts
A published guaranteed analysis for the 5 oz Ground Other Bird pack, measured as fed, reports:
| Nutrient | Reported Figure (As Fed) | What It Means |
| Protein | 14.5% minimum | Solid protein for a fresh meal |
| Fat | 10% minimum | Moderate fat content |
| Fiber | 1.5% | Low fiber, typical of meat-based fresh food |
| Moisture | 72% | High moisture, supporting hydration |
| Calories | About 1,411 kcal per kg (about 40 kcal per ounce) | Useful for portion planning |
The calorie figure is consistent with the roughly 40 kcal per ounce reported for other Smalls fresh recipes.
Two things to keep in mind:
- As-fed and dry matter figures are not the same. Fresh food has a lot of moisture, so the percentages on the label look different from dry matter figures. Always compare brands on the same basis.
- Your cat’s needs are individual. Age, weight, activity and health all affect how much a cat should eat. Ask your vet to calculate a daily target, especially for kittens, seniors and cats with weight, kidney or digestive concerns.
Texture and Taste: Will Your Cat Eat It?
Ground Other Bird has a minced texture. It is chunkier than the smooth pâté options, but it is softer and more uniform than shredded food.
Why cats often like it:
- The minced texture gives cats something to chew
- The turkey flavor is a change from chicken for cats that have grown bored of poultry
- The high moisture content makes it easy to eat and supports hydration
- It can work well for cats that accept minced food but reject pâté
Why some cats hesitate:
- Cats used to smooth food may need time to adjust to the chunkier texture
- Some cats are cautious about new flavors, even when the protein is familiar
- Owners of very picky cats report mixed results across the range
One reviewer tested the Ground Other Bird recipe and described it as smelling nice and having good moisture. Their cats didn’t go wild over it but did eat it. That is a common pattern: many cats accept the food without becoming enthusiastic about it.
Another owner, who was feeding a kitten, reported that the kitten seemed to love the chicken and turkey recipes. Kittens and picky cats respond differently, so treat individual experiences as useful signals rather than guarantees.
What Real Cat Owners Are Saying
Patterns across published reviews and customer feedback include:
- Ground Other Bird is a solid, well-liked option, though not always the top pick. Several reviews rank Ground Bird (chicken) higher, but many reviewers say the turkey version is worth trying.
- Texture suits chewing cats. Owners of cats that enjoy chewing tend to find the minced texture more satisfying.
- Smooth options often win. In several multi-cat households, smooth recipes were preferred, and the ground recipes were a second choice.
- Adjustment takes time. Some cats need a gradual switch before they accept a new texture.
The overall message is that Ground Other Bird is a good option for many cats, but like all fresh food, it needs a trial period.
Storage, Thawing and Packaging
Ground Other Bird follows the same routine as the rest of the Smalls range:
- Freezer space: Packets arrive frozen and need freezer room.
- Thawing: Most owners thaw packets in the fridge, which requires planning ahead.
- Packaging: Reviewers note the food is not pre-portioned like canned food and the packaging is not re-sealable. Smalls sells a custom storage container you can add to your order.
- Portions: One review states that each package contains enough food to feed a 10-pound cat for a day. Check this against your own cat’s needs, since calorie requirements vary.
- Use-by: Once thawed, use the food within the timeframe on the packaging.
Recall History
Smalls Cat Food has had recalls, and this recipe is directly named in one of them. The June 2021 recall included the Ground Other Bird turkey recipe, with the cause listed as potentially spoiled food. Another review notes that Smalls recalled affected lots and attributed the issue to refrigeration problems, and that no illnesses were reported.
This matters for buying decisions. Before you subscribe:
- Check Smalls’ own recall page for the latest information
- Look at FDA recall listings
- Follow storage and thawing instructions closely, because fresh food depends on the cold chain
How Much Does Ground Other Bird Cost?
A retailer lists the 5 oz Ground Other Bird pack at $4.99, which works out to about $1.00 per ounce. Other reviews list Smalls’ turkey-based recipes at around $1.10 per ounce, so prices differ between channels and over time.
There is also a conflict about surcharges. One review says the “Other Bird” options cost an extra $0.50 per packet, while another review says pulled and beef-based recipes are the premium options. Check Smalls’ current pricing to see which recipes carry a surcharge before you order.
To estimate your monthly cost:
- Find your cat’s daily calorie target with your vet
- Divide that target by the calories per ounce for the recipe (about 40 for Ground Other Bird)
- Multiply by 30 to get a monthly ounce figure
- Multiply by the price per ounce
Is it worth the price? Fresh food costs more than most dry or canned options. The value depends on whether your cat eats it well, whether you can handle the storage routine, and whether the nutrition fits your cat’s needs. If all three work, the turkey recipe is a reasonable option. If not, it is an expensive experiment.
Ground Other Bird vs Other Smalls Recipes
| Feature | Ground Other Bird | Ground Bird | Smooth Other Bird |
| Texture | Minced | Minced, chunky | Smooth pâté |
| Protein | Turkey | Chicken | Turkey |
| Best for | Cats that want a turkey option with chew | Cats that like chicken and chewing | Cats that prefer smooth turkey food |
| Picky eaters | Mixed | Mixed | Often easier |
If your cat likes chewing but you want a change from chicken, Ground Other Bird is a good middle option. If your cat prefers smooth food, Smooth Other Bird may be the better starting point.
Who Should Choose Ground Other Bird?
Ground Other Bird is a good fit if:
- You want a turkey-based recipe with a minced texture
- Your cat enjoys chewing or prefers a chunkier texture
- You want a poultry option other than chicken
- You are comfortable with frozen storage and daily thawing
It may not be the best choice if:
- Your cat prefers smooth pâté
- Your cat has a known sensitivity to turkey
- You have limited freezer space
- Your vet has recommended a specific diet for a health condition
Always check with your vet before a major diet change, especially for kittens, seniors or cats with health concerns.
How to Switch Your Cat to Ground Other Bird
A gradual switch reduces the chance of rejection and digestive upset:
- Days 1–3: Mix about 25% Ground Other Bird with 75% of the current food
- Days 4–6: Move to about 50% Ground Other Bird
- Days 7–9: Move to about 75% Ground Other Bird
- Day 10 onward: Feed Ground Other Bird as the full diet
Watch for changes in appetite, stool and energy. If your cat refuses food, skips meals or has digestive problems, pause the switch and talk to your vet.
Final Verdict
Smalls Fresh Ground Other Bird is a minced turkey recipe with a high moisture content, a chewable texture and a meat-first approach. It gives owners a turkey option alongside the chicken recipes, and it suits cats that accept minced food.
The drawbacks are the storage routine, the price, the recall history (this recipe was named in the June 2021 recall) and the fact that some cats are cautious about new textures.
Buy it if your cat likes chewing, you want a turkey option, and you can manage frozen storage. Skip it if your cat strongly prefers smooth food, you have limited freezer space, or the monthly cost doesn’t fit your budget.
