Our Story

Black and white photo of two smallbatch founders holding their siamese cat.

It Started With Blue

Blue, our rescue cat, was the very first smallbatch pet.

Blue had special needs that store-bought foods couldn’t meet. In our San Francisco flat, we began crafting small, fresh batches using the same local, sustainable meats and produce we brought home for ourselves. Blue thrived, and so did the idea that good food should be simple, real, and responsibly made.

White smallbatch containers of dog food on a fridge shelf.

From our Kitchen to yours

In 2005, what began in our kitchen became the start of something special.

Our kitchen turned into a tiny local delivery service for friends and neighbors who wanted the same fresh, ingredient-driven meals for their pets. From the start. We partnered with local small family farms and ranches committed to organic and
sustainable practices — inspired by SF’s slow food values, just not yet seen in pet food.

Close up view of smallbatch raw dog food patty.

Real food made right

From the beginning, we’ve believed pets deserve food made with the same care and integrity as our own.

Our recipes feature humanely raised meats, organic produce, and nothing artificial. No fillers, no shortcuts — just real, honest food made in small batches, the way nature intended.

Person kneeling and feeding a corgi smallatch super boosters in a field.

The heart behind every batch

Staying small means staying true — to our values, to transparency, and to the animals who inspire us every day.

Because good things really do come in small batches, and always will.

Our History

2004

It started with Blue.

Our cat Blue had special needs that store-bought foods couldn’t meet. In our San Francisco flat, we began crafting small, fresh batches using the same local, sustainable meats and produce we brought home for ourselves. Blue thrived, and so did the idea that good food should be simple, real, and responsibly made.

2005

Smallbatch is born.

What began in our kitchen turned into a tiny local delivery service for friends and neighbors who wanted the same fresh, ingredient-driven meals for their pets. From the start, we partnered with local small family farms and ranches committed to organic and sustainable practices — inspired by SF’s slow food values, just not yet seen in pet food.

2007

Our first retail store.

Our first retail store account, Hazel & Gertie’s, begins carrying smallbatch, the first time our handmade raw food appears in a shop freezer. That partnership helped introduce our little brand to more pet parents who believed in whole-food nutrition.

Two men standing in production facility in food safe outfits.

2008

Scaling Up. Staying True.

Production moved to a dedicated kitchen in Santa Clara, same hand-crafted approach, just more space and a freezer truck to reach more local stores.

Six raw dog food patties on a conveyor belt.

2010

The birth of our patties.

We launched Smallbatch Patties, making it easier for families to feed raw without giving up integrity or freshness.

Golden Gate Bridge and skyline.

2011

Wider Reach

Our first distributor partnership made smallbatch available beyond San Francisco while keeping sourcing close and relationships personal.

Truck that says "Organically Grown Company" driving near farmland.

2014

New Roots in Oregon

To keep up with demand, we moved ourselves and smallbatch — to Aumsville, Oregon, allowing us to be closer to production and the land itself. There, we found new farms and ranches to partner with, all sharing our respect for animals, the earth, and sustainable food systems. Around this time, we also launched our freeze-dried line, giving families more ways to feed fresh, nutrient-dense food with ease.

Two dogs outside standing on smallbatch frozen patties looking at the camera.

2016-2020

Expanding thoughtfully.

Smallbatch grew nationwide, introducing lines like Bites, Bulk boxes, and Treats — each made with the same uncompromising ingredients and care. Growth came through retailer demand, as more recognized our craft approach to pet nutrition. We strengthened farm partnerships to source more sustainable ingredients and introduced our first pork recipes in 2018.

Person in a food processing plant inspecting round red products on a conveyor belt.

2021-2023

Cooking up innovation.

Building on years of growth, we expanded our kitchen with new ways to nourish pets — from our Lightly Cooked and Bone Broth lines to Freeze-Dried meals for dogs and cats. Each launch reflected the same smallbatch care and ingredient integrity, made for families who wanted fresh, sustainable food in every form. We also grew beyond the U.S., bringing smallbatch north to Canada and introducing new blends and formats along the way.

2024

Preparing for our 20-year milestone.

We introduced Lightly Cooked Bulk Boxes and began a packaging refresh celebrating two decades of mindful making. The updates reflected our roots — thoughtful sourcing, sustainable practices, and the same care that started it all.

2025

20 years of good things in small batches.

We launched Perfectly Cooked for Cats —a tribute to our cat Blue, who inspired us to create with intention and love. And celebrated two decades of sustainable, species-appropriate nutrition. Throughout the year, we renewed our sourcing commitments, unveiled our fresh new look, and marked 20 years at SuperZoo 2025 — sharing our story, our packaging, and the care that’s guided us from the very beginning.

Dog eating out of bowl on counter next to smallbatch freeze-dried sliders package.

Made with care, from farm to bowl

From pasture to produce, every ingredient we use is thoughtfully chosen for purity, nutrition, and purpose.

See How We Source