How to Use Smallbatch
Answering questions about how to feed, store and use smallbatch products
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How do I transition my dog or cat to Smallbatch?
Transitioning to a new food is very pet-dependent, but the following schedule works well for most dogs and cats:. Your transition timeline can be compressed to just a few meals or stretched over a few weeks depending on your pet's digestive sensitivi
How should I thaw frozen dog or cat food?
We recommend portioning a couple of meals at a time and thawing overnight in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Glass containers or stainless steel bowls work great for this. Once thawed, use within 3 days. To take the chill off before serving,
How do I rehydrate freeze-dried dog or cat foods?
Measure out your pet's serving, add approximately ½ cup of warm water per 4 sliders or per 1 cup of bites, and let it sit for about 10 minutes before serving. Warm water speeds up rehydration, but bone broth or goat's milk work great too — and can ma
How long does thawed food last in the refrigerator?
Once thawed, Smallbatch frozen raw and cooked products are best used within 3 days. Keep in mind that our products contain no artificial preservatives, so proper refrigeration and timely use are important for both freshness and safety.
How long can raw or cooked foods be left out at room temperature?
Once thawed or rehydrated, give your pet about 15 minutes to finish their meal. Any leftovers can be discarded or refrigerated and offered again within 24 hours.
How do I rotate proteins in a raw or fresh food diet?
At Smallbatch, we're big believers in feeding the rainbow — rotating regularly through multiple proteins to provide a varied diet with a broad range of nutrient profiles. What rotation looks like is completely up to you and your pet: every meal, ever
Can I mix Smallbatch with kibble?
Mixing different food types — raw, cooked, kibble — is entirely your call based on what works best for your pet. All Smallbatch complete diets are complete and balanced on their own and don't require supplementation from another food source. That sai
How do I use Smallbatch Base Blends?
Smallbatch Base Blends are a supplemental blend of ground meat, bone, and organ available in 2lb bricks. They're modeled after a prey model diet and are not considered complete and balanced on their own — but they're a great way to add variety, custo
Can I serve Smallbatch freeze-dried food without rehydrating?
Serving freeze-dried food dry isn't unsafe, but we strongly recommend rehydrating it when using as a complete meal. Proper rehydration supports digestion, nutrient absorption, and kidney function — all important for long-term health on a freeze-dried
What do I do with crumbled freeze-dried sliders in the bottom of the bag?
Crumbled pieces at the bottom of freeze-dried slider bags are completely normal — especially for orders shipped directly to your home. They're perfectly safe to feed. For measuring: 1 loosely scooped ¼-cup is roughly equivalent to 1 slider. A fun way
Can I rehydrate Smallbatch freeze-dried foods ahead of time?
Yes — while we recommend preparing freeze-dried meals fresh when possible, you can rehydrate a meal or two ahead of time. Store rehydrated food in the refrigerator and use within 1–2 days.Refresh with extra water before serving, if needed.
What is the best protein to start with when transitioning to Smallbatch raw or cooked foods?
For most pets new to raw or fresh food, we recommend starting with a milder, lower-fat protein. Chicken, Turkey, Pork, and Rabbit are all good starting points — and Pork or Rabbit are great options for pets that need to avoid poultry. Once your pet i
Can I use Smallbatch as a meal topper instead of feeding it as a complete meal?
Absolutely — all Smallbatch complete diets work well as a topper over kibble, wet food, or any other diet your pet is currently eating. It's one of the most popular ways to introduce more whole-food nutrition without fully transitioning to a raw or f