October 10, 2023
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Tom&Sawyer makes fresh meals, gently cooked and delivered to your door. Customers can personalize meals for their pets (cats and dogs). They offer a subscription service. The company is based in Toronto, Canada.
Read our Tom&Sawyer review to learn more about this brand.
The Cats.com Standard—Rating Tom&Sawyer on What Matters
We’ve rated Tom&Sawyer on six key criteria for quality. Here’s how it rates in each of these six crucial areas.
Ratings
- Species-Appropriateness – 9/10
- Ingredient Quality – 9/10
- Product Variety – 7/10
- Price – 6/10
- Customer Experience – 8/10
- Recall History – 8/10
Overall Score: 7.8/10
In total, we give Tom&Sawyer 47 out of 60 ratings or a B+ grade. Read more about our standards here.
Why Trust Cats.com
Here at Cats.com we care about cats and what they eat. That means we thoroughly examine all of the foods we review. We devote hours looking into each brand including its history, ingredients, where the ingredients are sourced, and how the food is made.
We also look for any recalls in the brand’s history. We look at customer reviews to see what other cat lovers think. When possible, we buy the food and have our own cats test it, making observations on palatability, texture, smell, and other elements. All of these criteria are considered in the Cats.com standard ratings.
About Tom&Sawyer
The Tom&Sawyer brand began in Canada in 2015. The owners state on the website that they were disillusioned with the current pet food available at the time. They were unhappy with what they considered to be the lack of pet food regulations for commercial foods. These ideas are frequently found among people starting pet food companies in recent years.
The company makes personalized meals for cats (and dogs). According to Tom&Sawyer, the company uses natural ingredients that are gently cooked in small batches for better digestion. Customers can build their own meal plan for their cat to accommodate allergies, health issues, or favorite foods.
Tom&Sawyer’s owners created the Fresh Cooked Pet Food Alliance (FCPFA) to encourage the adoption of strict regulation in this segment of the Canadian pet food industry. In general, they seek to apply existing regulations for human food production to pet foods.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
Tom&Sawyer worked with professionals such as nutritionists, vets, and labs, along with chefs, to formulate nutritionally balanced recipes in 2015.
The flagship store and state-of-the-art commercial kitchen for Tom&Sawyer is located in Toronto, Canada. It opened in 2016. In 2018, the company’s commercial kitchen became FDA-registered and Tom&Sawyer began shipping food to the United States. If you are in Toronto, the company invites you to stop by and see where the food is made.
Today the company does its own science and nutrition work so it can expand its research and development. It also develops recipes in-house.
The company uses ingredients that are human-edile and restaurant-quality. It is 100 percent non-GMO with no antibiotics or hormones. Tom&Sawyer sources as locally as possible. Supplements used in the foods are food grade or pharma grade in natural form. They make up less than 3 percent of any recipe.
According to the company, its recipes are formulated by in-house Ph.D. animal nutritionists. They also consult with animal nutrition experts at universities. Routine lab testing is conducted for quality assurance purposes.
Recall History
We didn’t find any recalls involving Tom&Sawyer pet foods in Canada or the United States. You should keep in mind that this brand has been in operation for less than 10 years.
What Kinds of Cat Food Does Tom&Sawyer Offer?
Tom&Sawyer makes fresh pet food in several recipes that can be customized for your cat. Here are the basic recipes (3 for cats; many more for dogs):
- Wild West Kangaroo – The sale of kangaroo meat is prohibited in California
- Scared-y Cat – Chicken breast is the primary meat protein
- The Harold – Canned light tuna is the primary meat protein
To order Tom&Sawyer meals, you first fill out a meal plan questionnaire and answer questions about your cat. You can make a one-time order or choose a subscription. The meals are delivered, frozen, to your door. If you order a subscription or multiple packages, you will need to place some of the packets in your freezer for later use.
You can defrost a packet in your refrigerator the night before you intend to feed it or by running it under warm water. Packets will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Tom&Sawyer Cat Food – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Main Protein Source | Calories | Price | Our Grade |
| Tom&Sawyer Wild West Kangaroo
|
Fresh | Kangaroo | 1000 kcal per kg or 454 calories per package | $0.94 per oz | B |
| Tom&Sawyer Scared-y Cat
|
Fresh | Chicken Breast | 1334 kcal per kg or 606 calories per package | $0.81 per oz | A |
| Tom&Sawyer The Harold
|
Fresh | Canned Light Tuna | 1332 kcal per kg or 605 calories per package | $0.81 per oz | B+ |
#1 Tom&Sawyer Wild West Kangaroo Cat Food
Tom&Sawyer fresh foods for cats are available in three recipes: Wild West Kangaroo, Scared-y Cat, and The Harold. The Wild West Kangaroo has kangaroo meat as the primary protein. If you live in California, you probably know that kangaroo meat is banned in the state. Elsewhere, you should be able to order this product.
Kangaroo meat is a novel protein so it could be a good choice for some cats with allergies or food sensitivities. However, be sure to examine the entire ingredient list. The list in the Nutrient Profile is much longer than the simple list on the website. If your cat is food sensitive, it could contain some items that might be problematic such as eggs and soy sauce.
According to the Nutrient Profile, the food contains 57 percent meat, 40 percent fruits and vegetables, and 3 percent oils and supplements.
This food contains some exotic ingredients that some cats may or may not like. Honestly, I don’t know if cats like coconut milk. There are some sites online that recommend against giving it to your cat though it is not poisonous. Others simply state that it is high in fats and oils and that you shouldn’t give it to them. Yet, it is the third ingredient in this food.
Overall, this food appears to be nutritious. Some cats may enjoy it but you may want to order a sample or single package before making it a regular part of your cat’s diet.
Tom&Sawyer Wild West Kangaroo Cat Food is formulated to meet the NRC and AAFCO cat nutrient profiles for all life stages.
Calorie Content: 1,000 kCal/ kg or 454 kCal/pack
Ingredients
Kangaroo Meat, Pumpkin, Coconut Milk (Water, Coconut Flesh Extract), Egg, Kale, Dried Cranberries (Sweetened With Apple Juice Concentrate), Dicalcium Phosphate, Hemp Seed Oil, Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Rice, Salt, Brewing Starter (Aspergillus Sojae)), Vitamin And Mineral Supplement Blend (Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, Magnesium Oxide, Amino Acid Chelate (Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper), A-Tocopherol Acetate, Potassium Iodide, Niacin, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin B12, Vitamin A Palmitate, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3), Digestive Aid Extracts Blend (Dried Yeast, Chicory Root, Elderberry, Thyme, Lactobacillus), Choline Bitartate.
Ingredients We Liked: Kangaroo Meat, Pumpkin, Egg, Dried Cranberries
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Coconut Milk, Kale, Soy Sauce
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Tom&Sawyer uses human edible ingredients
- Made in their own kitchen
- Non-GMO ingredients, antibiotic and hormone-free
- Personalized for your cat
Cons
- Only three cat recipes
- Some odd ingredients
#2 Tom&Sawyer Scared-y Cat Food
Tom&Sawyer Fresko Scared-y Cat features chicken breast meat as the primary source of protein. As with the other cat recipes, this food is gluten-free. It is formulated to meet the NRC and AAFCO cat nutrient profiles for adult maintenance.
According to the company, the Nutrient Profile for the food shows that it has 53 percent meat, 45 percent vegetables and fruit, and 2 percent oils and supplements.
The ingredients look very straightforward with chicken breast meat, cabbage, and cheddar cheese making up the majority. As long as your cat isn’t allergic to chicken or dairy, this food shouldn’t be a problem. Cheddar cheese is very low in lactose so it shouldn’t pose a problem even for cats that may have problems with some dairy.
This food looks like a good choice for many adult cats.
Calorie Content: 1,324 kCal/ kg or 601 kCal/pack
Ingredients
Chicken Breast Meat, Cabbage, Cheddar Cheese, Dicalcium Phosphate, Taurine, Magnesium Oxide, Amino Acid Chelated Minerals (Zinc, Iron, Copper, Manganese), A-Tocopherol Acetate, Potassium Iodide, Niacin, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin B12, Vitamin A Palmitate, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3, Calcium Carbonate, Digestive Aid Extracts Blend (Dried Yeast, Chicory Root, Elderberry, Thyme, Lactobacillus), Choline Bitartrate, Urinary Ph Health & Stress Reduction Blend (Dried Camomile Flowers, Cranberry Extract).
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken Breast Meat, Cabbage, Cheddar Cheese, Amino Acid Chelated minerals
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- This food is high in protein
- Low in carbohydrates
- Non-GMO ingredients, antibiotic and hormone-free
Cons
- Cabbage can produce gas in some pets but the digestive aids in the food may take care of this problem
#3 Tom&Sawyer The Harold Cat Food
Tom&Sawyer is very careful on its website to avoid making any claims that its foods cure illnesses or diseases. They come close, however, with The Harold recipe. The company states that the food is made with “cancer-fighting ingredients” such as turmeric and omega-3 oils.
If your cat has cancer or other health problems, please talk to your veterinarian. Some ingredients may be beneficial but your vet is your best bet.
The Harold is formulated for adult cat maintenance. The primary meat protein is canned light tuna. Sweet potatoes provide carbs.
As with other Tom&Sawyer recipes, this food contains hemp seed oil. Hemp seed oil is considered safe for pets and it does contain some beneficial fatty acids. There can be some drawbacks. It can make some pets drowsy or produce diarrhea in some animals. It does tend to encourage picky eaters to eat so it can be considered an appetite stimulant. If your cat has any inflammation, hemp seed oil may help your cat feel better. It’s usually recommended to talk to your veterinarian before giving your cat hemp seed oil.
This recipe also includes unsalted butter as the third ingredient. Sure, your cat will probably like butter in their food — who doesn’t like butter? But why? That much butter/fat may cause some digestive problems for your cat.
According to the Nutrient Profile, this food contains 61 percent meat, 37 percent fruit/vegetables, and 2 percent oils/supplements.
Overall, cats will probably enjoy this food. It is moderately high in fat and carbohydrates.
Calorie Content: 1,332 kCal/ kg or 605 kCal/pack
Ingredients
Canned Light Tuna, Sweet Potato, Unsalted Butter, Dicalcium Phosphate, Hemp Seed Oil, Taurine, Magnesium Oxide, Amino Acid Chelated Minerals (Zinc, Iron, Copper, Manganese), A-Tocopherol Acetate, Potassium Iodide, Niacin, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin B12, Vitamin A Palmitate, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3, Digestive Aid Extracts Blend (Dried Yeast, Chicory Root, Elderberry, Thyme, Lactobacillus), Calcium Carbonate, Choline Bitartrate, Potassium Chloride, Urinary Ph Health & Stress Reduction Blend (Dried Camomile Flowers, Cranberry Extract).
Ingredients We Liked: Canned Light Tuna, Amino Acid Chelated Minerals
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Sweet Potato, Unsalted Butter, Hemp Seed Oil
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Tuna is a good source of protein for cats
- Non-GMO ingredients, antibiotic and hormone-free
- Made in Tom&Sawyer’s own kitchen
Cons
- Unsalted butter and hemp seed oil may produce diarrhea in some cats
- We didn’t see turmeric listed in the ingredients, despite its mention on the website
What Do Customers Think of Tom&Sawyer Cat Food?
Most of the reviews we found for Tom&Sawyer were either for their dog recipes or on the company site. We’ll share what we found for positive and negative reviews. We apologize that these reviews are older but they were all we could find.
Positive Reviews
This food has saved our cat’s life. He has Inflammatory Bowel Disease. He loves the meals and broths, especially The Harold. It’s reasonably priced, convenient and nutritionally balanced. The people are helpful and friendly. I am grateful.
Joni Cass, reviewing Tom&Sawyer Fresh Prepared Pet Meals on December 25, 2018
There were LOTS of 5-star reviews for Tom&Sawyer dog recipes. This was the only cat recipe review we found anywhere online.
Negative Reviews
Very expensive for what it is… for my dog their website says it will be over $35 a day!
By Patrick Macdougall, reviewing Tom&Sawyer Fresh Prepared Pet Meals on November 19, 2016
This was the only negative review we found for Tom&Sawyer online.
How Much Does Tom&Sawyer Cat Food Cost?
Tom&Sawyer cat food recipes have to be ordered through the company website. The Wild West Kangaroo recipe is $14.99 per 454 grams. The Harold and Scared-y Cat are each $12.99 per 454 grams. 454 grams is approximately one pound.
Wondering how much it would cost you to order a month’s supply (28 days) through the subscription service? I tried building a plan for a large 15-pound neutered cat.
The plan came out to 7 kangaroo recipes, 7 Harold recipes, and 6 Scared-y Cat recipes. For the full month, the cost would come to $9.28 per day or $260.11. That does not include shipping.
Overall, Is Tom&Sawyer Cat Food a Good Choice?
Tom&Sawyer is a little perplexing. The ingredient quality seems to be very high. Customers (at least the dog recipe customers) rave about the food everywhere we found reviews.
The cat foods contain only a few real food ingredients along with vitamins, minerals, and supplements. But there are unquestionably some odd ingredients in the foods. Coconut milk, apple juice concentrate, soy sauce, and butter are not ingredients you normally find in any cat foods.
The Harold and Scared-y Cat look like good foods for your cat, despite the butter in The Harold. If you try the Wild West Kangaroo, let us know how your cat likes it.
Where Is Tom&Sawyer Cat Food Sold?
Tom&Sawyer cat meals are only available through the Tom&Sawyer website. Their dog meals are sold at premium pet food retailers throughout Canada though not all stores carry the full line.
You can check the Find a Retailer page on the company site to help you find the food.
I used to like Cats.com’s cat food reviews, but I’m afraid I can no longer support this website. You bash foods like Hill’s and Purina Pro Plan that have decades of testing and research behind them, while promoting foods that have no research behind them at all but just have nicer-sounding ingredients. Corn, wheat, and other grains haven’t been proven harmful to cats after decades of testing, yet this site says they’re bad in favor of unproven replacements like sweet potatoes, lentils and peas, the latter two of which have been linked to DCM in cats as well (see here: https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2023/02/diet-associated-dilated-cardiomyopathy-the-cause-is-not-yet-known-but-it-hasnt-gone-away/). Just because these ingredients sound more appealing to us doesn’t mean they’re healthier, and foods that contain them being more expensive doesn’t mean the food is better quality, only that the ingredients are harder to obtain. More concerning, though, is this site’s support of raw diets despite the fact that there is zero scientific evidence to support this (visit SkeptVet.com/blog/ for more information about raw, including debunking the most popular studies purporting to show benefits of raw) and ample evidence of danger to both humans and people. It’s the “appeal to nature” fallacy; just because raw diets sound more “natural” or “species-appropriate” doesn’t make them healthier. As for this review, how can you say these recipes “look like good foods for your cat” without having a vet review them, without trying them yourself, and without doing any feeding studies whatsoever? I doubt that shredded chunks of cabbage and whole dried cranberries will be very palatable for cats… more appealing to the cat owner, but not to the cat. Fancy fruits and veggies make up huge proportions of these recipes; you criticize big-name brands like Hill’s for containing so much plant matter even though the plant matter they use (grains) has been proven nutritious for cats while these fancy fruits and veggies haven’t. I believe cats should eat mostly meat as well, since they’re carnivores, but your positions are not consistent. Your comment sections are also full of people spreading conspiracy theories that vets get paid to recommend unhealthy food, and full of people grieving the loss of their cat because they feel responsible for their death after feeding a food you called unhealthy with no evidence. I sincerely hope you consult with board-certified veterinary nutritionists and some food safety experts instead of going down the “holistic” path you have been lately.
Hi Katherine, thank you for the well-thought-out message. I will bring this to the team. We have a strong team of veterinary writers and advisors, and I agree that we could be utilizing them, as well as veterinary nutritionists and food safety experts, in our cat food reviews. Again, I appreciate you taking the time to write this out and help us to do better. – Mallory
Hi, I really appreciate that you took the time to respond. A lot of websites aren’t as open and communicative with their readership as you are and that is a credit to you