Last updated Apr 19, 2023
Smack is a Canadian brand that makes raw dehydrated food for cats and dogs. The brand features organic ingredients and contains no fillers, glutens or grains, and no synthetic vitamins or minerals. Learn more about Smack cat food in our unbiased review.
The Cats.com Standard –Rating Smack Cat Food on What Matters
We have analyzed Smack cat food and rated it according to our standards here at Cats.com. Our grades are based on the species-appropriateness of the food, the quality of the ingredients, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history. You can read more about our ratings here.
Here are our ratings for Smack in these key areas:
Ratings
- Species-Appropriateness – 9/10
- Ingredient Quality – 8/10
- Product Variety – 6/10
- Price – 5/10
- Customer Experience – 6/10
- Recall History – 9/10
Overall Score: 7.2/10
We give Smack cat food a 43 out of 60 rating (71.67%) or a B+ grade.
About Smack
Smack Pet Food, Inc. is a family-owned business based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The company was founded in 2008. It is distinguished from most pet foods by the fact that it formulates and manufactures raw dehydrated food for dogs and cats instead of kibble or wet food.
According to the company, their passion for making pet food stems from a family love of animals. They claim to have expertise in biochemistry, food engineering, and in holistic medicine, along with an innovative production approach. These qualifications allow them to create the highest quality dehydrated pet food in the world, in their eyes.
On a personal level, the family had a dog named Zorro who was diagnosed and died from a sudden onset cancer. Smack was created in his honor to help other dogs so they could benefit from a wholesome, nutritious raw food diet.
With Smack, the company attempts to provide superior pet nutrition that tastes good and delivers benefits to maintain energy, vitality, digestion, and overall pet health.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
According to the company, Smack makes its pet foods at its own production facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Their foods are raw dehydrated using gentle, low-temperature air drying methods that retain more nutrients compared to freeze-drying.
Compared to many pet foods today, Smack foods feature a short list of ingredients. The recipes use organic and conventional whole “super food” ingredients. (Note that the term “super foods” is often a marketing and media term used to claim that some foods are nutritionally dense or superior in nutrition. It’s not a term that is typically used by nutritionists or scientists.)
Smack pet foods do not use glutens or grains. Chicken diets are made using Canadian-grown free-range chicken. The chicken is bone-in, with organs, raised without the use of hormones, antibiotics, drugs, or preservatives. Salmon recipes use fish that is caught wild from British Columbia. It is also bone-in, with organs. They are not treated with preservatives such as ethoxyquin. Pork recipes use Canadian pork, also bone-in, with organs.
Smack works with Serge Boutet, agrologist expert in animal nutrition and McGill University graduate (B.SC. Animal Science and Executive Development Course Mini-MBA) to consult on formulating their recipes. Boutet is from Montreal, Canada. He brings over 35 years of experience to the Smack team, including 29 years in the pet food industry. His expertise in nutrition includes areas such as pet food formulation, knowledge of ingredients, product development, technical training (teaching), quality control, export, sales, retail, operations, and supply chain management.
As other raw dehydrated food manufacturers point out, feeding pets Smack is easy. Owners have many of the benefits of feeding a raw diet without the mess. They also have the convenience of kibble. Raw dehydrated foods are easy to store and don’t require refrigeration.
When feeding Smack, you can scoop and serve the food. The recipes come in bite-size squares. Hydration is not necessary but warm water can be added to the food to help soften it into an antioxidant-rich, raw, meaty stew. Many cats will probably prefer the hydrated version.
Has Smack Cat Food Been Recalled?
According to Smack in their FAQ section, the company has never had a recall. We didn’t find any sign online that the brand had ever been recalled.
What Kinds of Food Does Smack Offer?
At this time Smack offers the following cat foods
- Smack Purrfect Pork Recipe Raw Dehydrated Super Food for Cats
- Smack Pacific Fish Feast Raw Dehydrated Super Food for Cats
- Smack Very Berry for Cats Raw Dehydrated Super Food for Cats
- Smack Meal Variety Pack for Cats (Pacific Fish Feast, Purrfect Pork, and Very Berry for Cats)
- Smack Sample Variety Pack for Cats (small 3-pack sampler of Smack’s three food varieties)
As you can see, there are only three different recipes for Smack cat food at the moment, though you can purchase a variety pack or a sampler if you would like your cat to try the food before making a larger purchase. The foods are available in different size packaging and price points.
Smack Cat Food – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Primary Protein | Calories | Price | Our Grade |
| Smack Purrfect Pork for Cats | Dehydrated | Pork | 4600 kcals per kg | $35.90 per lb | B |
| Smack Pacific Fish Feast | Dehydrated | Wild Rockfish | 5500 kcals per kg | $42.74 per lb | B |
| Smack Very Berry for Cats | Dehydrated | Chicken | 4740 kcals per kg | $35.90 per lb | B |
#1 Smack Purrfect Pork for Cats
Most of us probably don’t think of feeding our cats a food made from pork. However, if you have a cat that has food allergies, a cat food recipe that relies on pork might be just what your cat needs. Beef, fish, chicken, and dairy can all be common allergens for some cats. If your cat has problems with food allergies, Smack Purrfect Pork for Cats could be the answer.
This recipe is raw dehydrated. It’s made from bone-in pork and includes pork organs. It also has organic pumpkin (good for the digestion) and other fruits and berries. Cranberries are particularly good for the urinary tract.
The recipe contains 88 percent Manitoba pork (bone-in and organs); and 12 percent organic fruits and vegetables. This is a low carbohydrate recipe.
Smack states that they unapologetically believe that a diet consisting of biologically appropriate, organic whole food ingredients leads to the kind of health that cannot be achieved through supplementation with synthetic vitamins and minerals. There are no added vitamins and minerals in this food. Everything comes from the food ingredients.
Please be aware that we searched the labels and pages for all of Smack’s foods and didn’t find anything to indicate that the foods met AAFCO recommendations. (Canada does not provide the same kind of labeling and nutritional guidance that is required before pet food can be sold in states in the U.S.) Smack cat foods may meet or exceed some guidelines but they do not appear to publicly make this claim.
Smack Purrfect Pork for Cats looks like a good food for cats if your cat likes a raw dehydrated food. It is concerning that the company doesn’t provide some evidence that it meets basic nutritional guidelines.
Calorie Content (ME Calculated): 4600 kcal per kg, 460 kcal per cup
Ingredients
Pork (Bone-In), Pork Organs (Heart, Liver, Kidney, Tongue, and Spleen), Pumpkin, Celery, Apple, Kale, Cranberry, Blueberry, Turmeric, Tocopherols.
Ingredients We Liked: Pork, Pork Organs, Pumpkin, Apple, Cranberry, Blueberry, Turmeric
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Pork is a good source of protein; raised in Canada
- Uses organic vegetables and berries
- Grain and gluten-free
- No synthetic vitamins or minerals
Cons
- Expensive
- Does not state that the food meets nutritional guidelines
#2 Smack Pacific Fish Feast
If your cat is allergic to chicken or poultry, it can be challenging to find foods that are completely free of these ingredients. Smack Pacific Fish Feast is a raw dehydrated food that contains no chicken or poultry ingredients. It’s also grain and gluten-free. And, it contains no synthetic vitamins or minerals. If you’re looking for a very natural food, this recipe from Smack is one to consider.
The fish in this formula are wild whole, in-bone rockfish and wild herring. If you’re not familiar with Pacific rockfish, it’s a midsize fish also known as rock cod or Pacific snapper. It’s a very common fish on North America’s west coast. It’s a firm, lean, mild-flavored fish. The fish in this recipe also include beneficial organs which provide nutrients for your cat.
Other ingredients include organic vegetables and fruits such as pumpkin, spinach, and apple, as well as the spice turmeric. These ingredients are good sources of vitamins and minerals. They also provide fiber for your cat’s digestion.
Overall, the formula contains 85 percent wild Pacific rockfish and wild Pacific herring; and 15 percent organic fruits and vegetables.
Smack Pacific Fish Feast for cats looks like a good food for cats based on the ingredients. It is very high in fish protein. All of Smack’s cat foods are low in carbohydrates.
Calorie Content (ME Calculated): 5500 kcal/kg, 550 kcals per cup
Ingredients
Wild Rockfish, Wild Herring, Pumpkin, Spinach, Celery, Apple, Parsley, Kale, Turmeric, Tocopherols.
Ingredients We Liked: Wild Rockfish, Wild Herring, Pumpkin, Spinach, Apple, Turmeric
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Fish is the first ingredients – lots of fish
- Uses organic fruits and vegetables
- Grain and gluten-free
- Contains no synthetic vitamins or minerals
Cons
- Expensive
- Smack cat foods don’t appear to provide any AAFCO or other regulatory guidelines
#3 Smack Very Berry for Cats
For cats that can’t get enough animal protein in their diets, Smack Very Berry for Cats might be a good choice. This recipe has a whopping 52 percent protein, by guaranteed analysis. The name of the food (“very berry”) might lead you to think the food is full of berries or fruits but it’s actually chock full of chicken and wild salmon.
According to Smack, this raw dehydrated recipe is suitable for cats of all breeds and life stages. It has a combination of Manitoba chicken (bones and organs in) and fresh, wild-caught salmon (also bones and organs in). These ingredients have not been treated with antibiotics or artificial preservatives.
Other wholesome ingredients include organic cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries (so there are some good berries in the food); as well as organic spinach, thyme, parsley, and a few other organic ingredients.
Overall, 92 percent of the food is Manitoba free-range chicken and wild salmon; 8 percent of the food is made of organic fruits and vegetables.
Smack Very Berry for Cats looks like a very good food for cats, especially cats that like a very high protein percentage. This food is very low in carbohydrates.
Calorie Content (ME Calculated): 4740 kcals per kg, 474 kcals per cup
Ingredients
Chicken, Wild Salmon, Chicken Liver, Chicken Gizzard, Chicken Heart, Cranberry, Blueberry, Parsley, Thyme, Strawberry, Spinach, Celery, Turmeric, Tocopherols.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Wild Salmon, Chicken Liver, Chicken Gizzard, Chicken Heart, Cranberry, Blueberry, Thyme, Strawberry, Turmeric
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Made with excellent ingredients including free-range chicken, wild salmon, and organic fruits and vegetables
- Grain free and gluten-free
- No synthetic vitamins or minerals
Cons
- Expensive
- We didn’t find any nutritional compliance statements for AAFCO or other regulatory bodies on the labels or web site
What Do Customers Think of Smack Cat Food?
We found many rave reviews for Smack cat food. Cat lovers especially praised the quality of the ingredients. Many of them said that their cats loved the food, both hydrated and right out of the bag.
We did find some indications that the company might be having trouble filling orders. Smack is sold out on Amazon.com and there is a notice that Amazon doesn’t know when the food will be available. You can still order the food from the Smack web site.
Positive Reviews
“It’s like jerky and cats love it. Use as treats or food.” – by Amazon Customer reviewing Smack Pet Organic Crunchy Raw Dehydrated Cat Food on July 2, 2019
“My cat loves this treat. It’s a healthy reward for him.” – by B. Nak reviewing Smack-Organic-Crunchy-Dehydrated-Pounds on November 17, 2019
Negative Reviews
“Cats won’t touch it. Tried soaking in warm water, still nothing. Huge waste of money. And the bag is so small for the price! Shocked.” – by Lance Cassell reviewing Smack Pet Organic Crunchy Raw Dehydrated Cat Food on February 10, 2021
“I’ve really wanted to transition both my cats to a raw diet, however one is so finicky that all she really likes are her kibbles! She did not like these reconstituted in water (which actually takes a long time to get soggy). However when I crumble them on top, she’ll eat it. So I’m happy she’s getting a bit of a better diet! I just wish there was Read more about I’ve really wanted to transition both more in a bag!” – by Kim B reviewing Smack Very Berry Chicken Crunchy Dehydrated Cat Food on 4 Jul 2019
How Much Does Smack Cat Food Cost?
Smack uses good quality ingredients and it is one of the more expensive cat foods.
We found the 8.8 ounce (250 gram) bag of Smack Very Berry for Cats cat food starting at $17.99 on the Smack web site and the Homesalive.ca web site in Canada. The 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) bag costs $84.99 on the Smack and Homesalive.ca site. Really.
It’s important to keep in mind that Smack is a dehydrated food. An adult cat weighing 10 pounds may only eat 1/3 to ½ cup of Smack cat food per day. (Water may be added to hydrate the food for a little while before feeding your cat.) Even a small bag of Smack cat food should last longer than a typical bag of kibble from most cat food brands.
That said, if you have multiple cats, Smack would be a very expensive food to feed your kitties.
We spoke to a person in Canada who used to feed Smack dog food. She said she loved the food and its ingredients. Her dogs (four large dogs) loved the food. However, she had to stop feeding the food because of the cost. She thought it would be a great brand for people with smaller pets or just one pet.
Overall, Is Smack Cat Food a Good Choice?
We do think that Smack cat food is a good choice for cats based on the excellent ingredients. It would be more reassuring if the food did have an AAFCO nutritional statement. As a Canadian brand, we realize that these statements are not required for the food to be sold in Canada.
However, the brand appears to be sold in the United States, too, so we’re not sure how it’s being sold without an AAFCO statement. AAFCO is not a regulatory body but most states require some kind of nutritional adequacy labeling and use AAFCO guidelines.
Other raw dehydrated and freeze-dried cat foods have met AAFCO guidelines so it’s not an impossible goal.
If you like Smack cat food, other foods that might interest you and your cat include Stella & Chewy and Primal.
How Do You Order Smack Cat Food?
You can order Smack Cat Food directly from the Smack pet food web site.
If you would prefer to buy in person from a pet food retailer, Smack has a store locator guide on their site.
You can also buy Smack cat food in Canada in stores such as Homesalive.ca. Amazon also carries Smack pet foods but they are currently not available.
