Most cat owners who try Smalls end up asking the same question about the shredded recipes: does the texture actually matter that much? For many cats, it does. A cat that refuses a smooth pâté will sometimes eat the same meat when it’s torn into strands, and that’s the whole pitch behind Pulled Other Bird.
This article looks at the turkey shredded recipe from every angle that affects a buying decision: what it contains, how it compares in price and nutrition to the rest of the range, how cats tend to respond, and where the storage routine gets tiring. Where published reviews disagree, we say so rather than picking the version that sounds best.
Why the Texture Changes Everything
Smalls sells its fresh food in three textures: smooth, ground and pulled. Smooth is a pâté. Ground is minced. Pulled is shredded into strands that look closer to cooked meat on a plate.
That difference is not cosmetic. Cat food is one of the few categories where texture decides whether the product gets eaten at all. A cat that snubs the pâté might still take a bite of the pulled version, and a cat that loves the minced recipe might find the shreds too stringy. The recipe matters less than whether your particular cat finds the texture acceptable.
Reviewers consistently describe the pulled recipes as the “real food” looking option in the line. One review says the pulled format is a good choice for cats that like seeing actual meat strands rather than a uniform spread.
If your cat is a texture snob, the Pulled options are worth a close look. If your cat accepts anything with a meaty smell, you may not need them at all.
What Goes Into Pulled Other Bird
Pulled Other Bird is the turkey shredded recipe. It sits alongside Pulled Bird, the chicken version, in the brand’s lineup of shredded options.
The turkey recipe is turkey-based, and at least one product listing describes it as made with over 80% turkey, with turkey liver included. That matches the brand’s general pattern of pairing muscle meat with organ meat.
One source describes the broader “Other Bird” formula as a mix of turkey thigh and chicken liver, which doesn’t match the turkey-and-turkey-liver description used elsewhere. Since this kind of mismatch shows up across the range, it’s worth reading the ingredient panel on the packet before you commit, not relying on a review summary.
Plant ingredients are minimal across the fresh recipes. If you’re looking for a full guaranteed analysis for the shredded turkey specifically, Smalls’ own product page is the most reliable place to check, since published figures for this exact recipe were not consistent across the sources reviewed.
Price: What You Actually Pay
Pricing is where the shredded recipes get more interesting, and more confusing.
Cats.com lists Pulled Other Bird at about $1.10 per ounce, with roughly 40 calories per ounce. That puts it a little above the $1.00 per ounce commonly reported for the smooth recipes.
The surcharge question is less clear. Cats.com describes the pulled recipes and the beef-based formulas as premium options that cost an extra $0.50 per packet. Another review says the “Other Bird” options carry that same surcharge. Both can’t be the full picture, so check the checkout page before you commit to a monthly plan.
To work out your real monthly cost:
- Get a daily calorie target from your vet
- Divide by calories per ounce (around 40 for this recipe)
- Multiply by 30 to get monthly ounces
- Multiply by the per-ounce price, plus any surcharge
Our Smalls cat food cost calculator handles this math if you’d rather skip the spreadsheet. For context on what the whole service costs, read how much Smalls cat food costs and how much it runs per month for each cat.
If you’re comparing subscription tiers rather than single packets, the subscription cost breakdown explains how plan size changes the per-packet price.
How Cats Have Responded
Published reviews are mostly positive about the pulled recipes, with a few reservations.
One owner reported a cat that happily ate the pulled meats, and another described their cat as preferring the fresh pulled options over others. In a separate review, a multi-cat household found that the shredded recipes were liked, though not every cat took to them equally.
The honest pattern: pulled food works best for cats that want texture, and it’s a harder sell for cats that expect a smooth pâté. One reviewer’s practical trick was to mash the shreds slightly when introducing them to a cat used to pâté. That lets the cat get used to the new format while keeping the recipe itself unchanged.
Expect some hesitation at the start. A cat that has eaten the same food for years can resist any change, and the first few days are a test of patience more than a verdict on the recipe.
Storage and the Daily Routine
Pulled Other Bird arrives frozen and has to be thawed before feeding. The routine is the same as the rest of the Smalls range:
- Freezer space to hold the delivery
- Thawing in the fridge, usually the day before
- Use within the window on the packaging once thawed
Packets are not pre-portioned like canned food, and they are not re-sealable. Smalls sells a storage container as an add-on, which some owners find useful for keeping thawed portions organized. If you have a small freezer or a household that travels often, this routine can get tiring fast.
For step-by-step help, see how to defrost Smalls cat food and how to store Smalls cat food. If you’re unsure how many packets to order, the packet size and servings guide helps you plan.
Recalls and What to Check
Smalls has had recalls, and it’s important to be clear about what the sources say.
The June 2021 recall covered several fresh recipes, including Ground Bird, Smooth Bird, Ground Other Bird and Smooth Other Bird. It was linked to potentially spoiled food. The Pulled recipes were not named in the sources reviewed, but that does not mean they were never affected. Check Smalls’ recall page and the FDA’s recall listings before subscribing, and keep an eye on updates after you place your first order.
Customer service has also drawn mixed feedback. One Trustpilot entry raised concerns about support, so if you plan to subscribe, read recent reviews and know how to reach the team before a problem comes up.
Pros and Cons
What works:
- Shredded texture that many cats find appealing
- Turkey is a useful change from chicken
- Single-protein recipe with a simple format
- High moisture content
- Good option for texture-picky cats
What doesn’t:
- Higher price than the smooth recipes, and possibly a surcharge
- Freezer space and daily thawing are required
- Packets aren’t re-sealable
- Some cats reject the texture at first
- Customer service feedback is mixed in some reviews
Who Should Order It
Pulled Other Bird is a good fit if your cat is texture-driven, you want a turkey option, and you can keep a frozen stock. It’s also a reasonable pick for a household that’s already comfortable with fresh food and wants a change from pâté.
It’s a weaker choice if your cat strongly prefers smooth food, your freezer is full, or your budget is tight. It isn’t the right pick for cats with known turkey sensitivities, and any cat with a diagnosed health condition should be planned around with a vet, not a review.
Switching Your Cat Over
A slow transition is the safer route:
- Days 1–3: about 25% Pulled Other Bird, 75% current food
- Days 4–6: about 50% Pulled Other Bird
- Days 7–9: about 75% Pulled Other Bird
- Day 10 onward: full Pulled Other Bird
If your cat is wary of the texture, mash the shreds a little more for the first few days and then move to the full shredded version. Watch appetite, stool and energy. If the cat refuses food or has digestive upset, slow down and speak to your vet.
Where to Go Next
If you’re still deciding, start with the bigger picture on whether the service is worth it at all: is Smalls cat food worth it?. To understand the delivery model before you order, read how Smalls cat food works, and check where to buy Smalls cat food for the current ordering options.
Before you cancel or pause, the cancellation guide walks through the steps, which matters if the shredded texture turns out not to suit your cat.
For ongoing reviews and comparisons, browse the Smalls cat food reviews section, and for pricing context, the pricing category. The nutrition category covers ingredient and feeding questions, and the cat food type category groups the recipes by format. Or start at the homepage if you want the full overview.
FAQs
1. Is Pulled Other Bird good for picky cats?
Many owners find the shredded texture appealing to cats that reject pâté. Results vary, so a small trial is the sensible route.
2. What is the main protein?
Turkey. Product listings describe the recipe as mostly turkey with turkey liver. Check the packet, since sources disagree on the exact blend.
3. How many calories are in it?
Reviews list about 40 calories per ounce. Ask your vet for your cat’s daily target and plan portions from there.
4. Does it cost more than the smooth recipes?
Yes, reportedly around $1.10 per ounce compared with about $1.00 for many smooth recipes. Some sources also describe an extra $0.50 surcharge per packet, so confirm pricing at checkout.
5. Was it part of a recall?
The June 2021 recall named several other fresh recipes, but the sources reviewed did not name Pulled Other Bird. Check Smalls’ recall page and FDA listings for the latest.
6. Can I mash it for a cat used to pâté?
Yes. Reviewers suggest mashing the shreds slightly at first to ease the transition.
7. How do I store it?
Keep it frozen, thaw in the fridge, and use within the window on the packaging. See how to store Smalls cat food.
