Best HOB Filter for Saltwater

Unfortunately, you must clean your fish tank. Of course, you want your fish happy and healthy, and keeping them clean is part of that. Not to mention it will keep your water your clear. The solution? Hang on back filters, or HOB filters, are quite popular.

Many aquarium enthusiasts find themselves turning to HOB filters because of their easy installation and outstanding performance. It’s as easy as snapping them onto he back and letting them run. But, there are a lot of aspects to consider when you’re deciding which model to purchase

Value Section

Take into consideration how much waste and nitrogen your fish release into their environment. Even if you’re cleaning your tank manually every week, you’re not letting them thrive. Using a HOB filter can help your fish become livelier, in clearer water.

Finding a filter that delivers just the right amount of filtration seems like a daunting task. But, using a list to track the things that are most important to you makes the process easy. There are a few primary aspects to consider when deciding which is the best HOB filter for you and your tank.

• Flow rate
• Filter media
• Maintenance
• Technology
• Budget

Although these 5 points can make up a great filter, it’s hard to find a filter that is successful on all front. You will probably make some sacrifices to accommodate your tank, personal preferences, or budget.

Flow Rate

Usually, if you’re using a HOB filter, you know that the flow rate will affect your tank. However, if you’re new to aquariums or even better, are building your first tank, then this is a new concept to you.

A flow rate is a rate at which water is returned to your tank. The flow rate can affect swim patterns or positively affect the stir of beneficial bacteria. If you have a high flow rate, then your filter will process more water in less time. The rate of filtration is a good indication of both power and efficiency.

Filter Media

The filtration media you choose will affect which impurities are removed. Now, more doesn’t always mean better. Most HOB filters use activated carbon or have multiple stages where you can utilize different types of filter media.

Maintenance

When you’re looking for a quality filter, you want a filter that is easy to clean and maintain. The HOB filters you choose will house the bulk of the waste in your tank. Each model has its method for cleaning.

Technology

A number of manufacturers have started trying to implement various forms of technology into their filters. The attempt is to impress prospective customers and claim that the filter is “enhanced.” Always consider what the technology is and if it’s necessary. The downside of technology is that sometimes it causes more problems than it’s worth.

Budget

There is a trick to set your budget with a filter; you have to consider both the initial cost of the filter and the filter replacements. Typically, well-known brands are more expensive, but they’re also more reliable, so you don’t have to replace them as often.

Setting a budget will also help in getting a filter that’s the appropriate size for your tank. If your budget is low and you’re looking for something to get you through the next year, you might look for more power. Rather than quality materials used in building the filter.

Use all 5 of these aspects when choosing a filter that’s right for you and your aquarium. We’ve evaluated them carefully when selecting the top 5 and can assure you they deliver in most, if not all categories.

 

List of the 5 Best HOB Filter for Saltwater

HOB Filter	Our Rated
1. Fluval C Power Filter		View on Amazon
2. AquaClear Power Filter		View on Amazon
3. Marineland Emperor Pro Series		View on Amazon
4. Penn Plax Cascade HOB Aquarium Filter		View on Amazon
5. Aqueon Quietflow 50 Filter		View on Amazon

 

Top 5 Best HOB Filters

We’ve gathered all the information we could find to help you find the best HOB filter for your tank. It’s not overly complicated, although many companies try to make it sound more complex than it actually is. If you are a new aquarium enthusiast, take a deep breath, and let’s get started.

1. Fluval C Power Filter

[img_products img_code=”81nGbwIWBrL” alt=”Fluval C Power Filter” code=”B003SJXTIU” reviews=”View on Amazon”]

• Great for 40-70-gallon tanks
• Remarkable water flow
• Cheap replacement filters
• Easy to Clean

Fluval is a quality brand, and there’s no doubt that any product they put out is worth it. It uses a 5-stage system, so the result is very clean and clear water. The ingenuity in this filter is unmatched when compared to similarly sized filters. The Fluval C Power Filter uses a large surface area for effective and efficient filtering.

Part of this system’s appeal is the re-filtration process. It is a great choice for delicate fish because a standard power filter or HOB filter can leave delicate fish in harm’s way. Many aquarium enthusiasts enjoy the ability to control the water flow as well.

The carbon filter pads do need changing every 3 months or so. While this seems like a lot of filter changing, the filters are cheap and easy to replace. The only other downside is that cleaning the propeller is a bit of a pain because the crevices are small.

The Fluval C Power Filter is a high-quality HOB filter that can handle most aquariums you would find in a home. Fluval is also well-known for making the same model scaled to fit different size tanks. If this filter is in your budget, it’s worth it.

2. AquaClear Power Filter

[img_products img_code=”61zzSmvAvsL” alt=”AquaClear Power Filter” code=”B000260FUW” reviews=”View on Amazon”]

• Large filtration media
• Very quiet

The 110-volt AquaClear Power Filter is the first choice for many longtime aquarium enthusiasts. It is a versatile product that meets the needs of many. It is a simple HOB filter that doesn’t use a ton of technology but instead they manufacture different models based on the same design to offer different flow rates.

The benefit of the different models for different flow rates concept is that you’re not left guessing with an adjustable flow rate. If you’re a beginner, this is a great filter for you.

The best features are how the water processes throughout the filter. The water passes over a recirculation grid that cycles it back into the filtration media multiple times. So instead of one time through which is the standard for most filters, this filter cleans your tank water multiple times.

AquaClear highlights the larger media capacity as a great feature. However, it’s the feature that leads to the most complaints. What happens is tank owners buy cheaper filtration media but use more of it believing it will have the same effect.

The AquaClear Power Filter is one of the best options on the market and would make a great addition to your aquarium setup. But please remember to purchase only high-quality filtration media because the internal workings are sensitive.

3. Marineland Emperor Pro Series

[img_products img_code=”817NxvUzVzL” alt=”Marineland Emperor Pro Series” code=”B000HHOI8G” reviews=”View on Amazon”]

• 400 gallon-per-hour flow rate
• Holds twice the amount of filter cartridges compared to competing models
• Filters up to 80-gallons

An unmatched flow rate makes this one of the best HOB filter choices available. It easily handles tanks of up to 80-gallons and reasonably populated. It also uses a bio wheel, and two pump design which allows your tank to receive more water per hour.

We liked a few features here. The two bio-wheels function well together delivering improved biological filtration. The flow rate is necessary for larger aquariums and smaller aquariums it’s an improvement to filtration.

This model clogs, regularly. Although the system doesn’t require weekly cleaning, it’s recommended to prevent clogging. As soon as you go a week without cleaning it, the spray bar is clogged,and the bio-wheels stop spinning.

The Marineland Emperor Pro series isn’t the best filter on the market. Instead, you can get a filter that requires less maintenance for the same price, but it won’t be as powerful. This filter is a great choice if you’re looking for power and filtration but don’t mind the constant cleaning.

4. Penn Plax Cascade HOB Aquarium Filter

[img_products img_code=”61axqAGbm8L” alt=”Penn Plax Cascade HOB Aquarium Filter” code=”B06XCDHY2D” reviews=”View on Amazon”]

• External bio-falls for ammonia removal
• Easy to replace carbon cartridge
• Multiple sizes for various tank sizes

The Cascade HOB Is the top model form Penn Plax and aquarium enthusiasts everywhere love it. This HOB filter is super quiet and has a gentle but fast water flow of 300-gallons. A combination of the fast water flow rate and quietness is reason enough to consider this filter seriously.

The filtration capacity is exceptionally impressive. It has an adjustable flow know so you can cater to the needs of your tank and use slower speeds during feeding times.

Because of the adjustable rate and high filtration capacity it serves both freshwater and saltwater tanks well. Catering to delicate fish and maintaining a clean environment is easy using this filter.

The big downside to this filter is the construction. It’s unfortunate that such a great filter is made with such cheap materials. Instead of using quality materials and increasing the price to match, Penn Plax offers a moderately priced product for something that is prone to leaking and cracking.

The Penn Plax is a great filter but plans on replacing it within the first 3 years. But, the product itself has a lot of features that make it worth it. The flow rate is really fast and adjustable which is a big bonus to most aquarium enthusiasts. Not to mention it’s large size and internal sponge for building up beneficial bacteria.

5. Aqueon Quietflow 50 Filter

[img_products img_code=”71VeopVGgwL” alt=”Aqueon Quietflow 50 Filter” code=”B01DDS5DS4″ reviews=”View on Amazon”]

• 250 GPM flow rate
• 4 stage filtering
• Self-primes
• Light indicator for cartridge changes

Probably the most cost-effective filter on this list, it has a number of features which stand out from the HOB filters we’ve already seen. The Aqueon is self-priming which means it engages a cleaning cycle after any power interruption. It also has a light indicator for when it needs the cartridge changed. This filter is one that is using technology to reel in the new and unsuspecting aquarium enthusiasts.

Because of the high flow rate of 250 gallons per minute, its guaranteed that the oxygen is dissolved and reaches your fish sooner. A benefit that most people don’t consider when purchasing a HOB filter is more active fish. Instead of cleaning your tank once a week and relying on the natural cycle to break down oxygen and nitrogen the HOB filter facilitates the process.

As with the Penn Plax filter, this HOB filter is made with cheap materials. You can plan on replacing it within the first 3 years, but unlike the Penn Plax, it’s a less expensive purchase. Because the price it cheaper, it doesn’t seem that bad replacing it sooner than most HOB filters.

If you are looking for something to get you through the next couple of years, this is a great option. It doesn’t leak, is quiet, and thoroughly filters your water. This filter is an excellent choice for beginners as well because it’s easy to clean and replace the cartridges.

The Clear Winner…

The Fluval C Power Filter is one of the best HOB filters on the market. It uses a 5-stage filtration system that creates a cleaner environment for happier fish. Many people who use the Fluval C Power Filter state they plan on replacing it with the same model when it’s time comes to an end.

This filter is easy to clean, the filters are easy to change and cheap, and it doesn’t have a ton of technology getting in the way. It is suitable for medium to large tanks and filters 264 gallons per hour. The impressive water flows help ensure that your plants and fish are in the cleanest environment possible.

Installation is a breeze and unlike some of the other filter’s we see here there isn’t any complicated instructions needed to start filtering. Hopefully, this is all the information you need to choose the best HOB filter for you and your tank!

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How To Take Care Of A 6-Week Old Puppy

According to the 2017-2018 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, every 7 out 10 of U.S. households own a pet. Many people like to keep a fish, dog, cat or a parrot as their pets. And while having an animal companion can be fun, properly keeping and training a pet isn’t an easy job, especially when you are unaware of the essential caring tips.

It is imperative that one person should learn proper caring tips to keep their pets happy. Someone love to adopt smaller pets such as puppies and kittens. Keeping puppies or kittens as a pet is a different story when compared to having an adult dog or a cat as a pet.

Your behavior towards your pets determines the kind of relationship you’ll have with them. You probably are someone has meant to adopt a puppy. This article can help you out as we will discuss the important tips you should know about when it comes to taking care of a 6 weeks old puppy.

Can you take a puppy home at 6 weeks?

Dogs are popular pets worldwide as being the most loyal ones. This is the reason why everyone adopts a puppy because they want to have a dog that would be loyal, offer love, support, and even protection.

However, keeping a puppy as a pet is not an easy job. It is just like taking care of a 6 weeks baby. If you are planning to have a 6 week puppy, you should know some of the basics that cover food, hygiene, and more.

How to take care of a 6 week old puppy

What to Feed a 6 week old puppy and feeding schedule

A 6-week puppy caring totally depends on you just like a small baby. A 6-week old baby puppy can eat solid foods and this does not depend on their mother’s milk. So, you should know about foods to give your puppy.

Such a small puppy cannot eat large and heavy portions of dog meals. Take note that it is very important to feed your puppy throughout the day in small portions. You should be present at the time of feeding your puppy as to keep a check on their meal.

You can feed your puppy with good quality of pup food or raw diet. Your 6-week old pup does not need any milk supplements at this age. You can increase the number of meals in the 8^th week but not before that.  Also, do not overfeed your puppy.

Milk is said to be the most energetic drink for humans, but cow’s milk may cause diarrhea for dogs. You enable to give them goat milk instead if he or she is not eating food properly.  On the one hand, you could feed your puppy soft food items, specially created for puppies.

“Most dogs can drink cow’s milk or goat’s milk, however some dogs may be allergic or lactose intolerant,” Dr. Stephanie Liff, DVM and owner of Pure Paws Veterinary Care of Clinton Hill Brooklyn, N.Y

Water is also important for hydration your puppy. Keep hydrated and healthy by giving him or her the proper amount of water time to time. Water plays a key role if a puppy is suffering from diarrhea. Always have a filled bowl of water available for your puppy.

Always ensure plenty of fresh, clean drinking water is available. The dog will need to drink plenty to replace fluid lost in diarrhea. If he isn’t drinking, then dehydration is a risk, so seek vet advice as to whether he should be seen. Said by Dr Pippa Elliott – Via dogs.lovetoknow.com

Do not switch the puppy food brands continuously. This is because switching of brands can lead your puppy to experience digestive problems. Also, search for the best brands and then try to stick to one brand of food.

You should follow the guideline on the food packs to avoid over-feeding.

Exampe of an ideal PUPPY FEEDING SCHEDULE

6:30 a.m.	wake up, quick exercise
7:00 a.m.	morning meal, outdoor walking, playtime then back to crate
10:00 a.m.	outdoor walking, bonding time with owner then back to crate
12:00 (noon)	midday meal
1:00 p.m.	outdoor walking, playtime then back to crate
5:00 p.m.	evening meal, outdoor walking, playtime
7:00 p.m.	short outdoor walk, playtime, then back to crate
9:00 p.m.	bedtime (in his crate or in your bedroom)

Via: petmd.com

How much do 6 week old puppies sleep

Another important thing is to check the pup’s sleeping schedule. A 6-week old pup needs a lot of sleep.

Please keep in mind that your 6-week old puppy needs almost 18 hours of sleep because she or he still is a baby. You should provide your puppy with the best shelter to sleep in.

Sleeping also helps your pup when it comes to developing its immunity system. The more rested it feels the more energy your pup will have to play.

Some essentials for caring a puppy

If you own a 6-week old puppy, then you should know that your pup needs their own shampoo. A doggy shampoo is a must buy for your puppy. Opt for a good-quality product. You don’t want your pet to experience skin problems due to a bad product!

Just like a newly born baby, your puppy also needs some toys to play with. A small sized ball is a good choice when buying toys for your puppy. There are many puppy toys you can choose from.

A pup house

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It is very important to provide your puppy shelter in a safe place. A pup’s shelter should be comfortable and big enough for it to play and sleep in.

You should keep your puppy away from sharp and big objects. Chairs, tables or stairs can be very dangerous for a 6-week old puppy. You should also train your puppy to stay in his shelter when it’s time to sleep.

You can also sit near the shelter until your puppy sleeps during the initial training period.

6 week old puppy training

Playing with your pup

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You can play with your puppy, but you should avoid touching your 6-week old puppy. Your puppy may not like a lot of touching. In addition, too much touching may lead your puppy to exhibit aggressive behavior later on in life. You can also teach your puppy while playing. Teach him or her to sit when you say the specific word.

Repeat this several times until they start responding. Appreciate your puppy’s compliance with small treats in return. Teaching a puppy at an early age through playtime can lead to you being the owner of a well-trained pet.

Train your dog must not bite

Some puppies have the habit of biting humans. This biting habit can continue to increase with age.You should teach your puppy not to bite and harm anyone through different tricks.

Some puppies start biting if they do not have their mother around. Your pup can also pick up the habit from siblings. You should be very attentive towards your puppy and stop them when they bite something or someone.

‘Nature’s call’ training for your puppy

A very hectic job for the master of a 6-week old puppy is training it to relieve itself in the appropriate area. You can start your puppy’s training by teaching him or her to answer nature’s call on a newspaper.

Lay a newspaper in your pup’s house and teach them that they need to use that specific newspaper whenever they have to ‘go.’ This kind of training requires a lot of patience.

You can also schedule a specific time for your pup to relieve itself after every two hours. You can also take your puppy outside after giving it food or water.

You can also limit the food or water intake two hours before your puppy’s bedtime to avoid a mess.  You can also make a routine of taking out your pup after he or she wakes up so they can relieve themselves.

Taking your puppy at the same spot is crucial. This will help your puppy when it comes to recognizing the specific spot every time.

You should also praise your puppy after every successful session. You can also tie a bell on the knob of the door to train your puppy to let you know whenever it has to ‘go.’

If you continue to ring the bell before taking your pup out, your pet will ring the bell too after several weeks, if not sooner, whenever he or she needs to go.

Social training of your puppy

At the 6^th week of your puppy’s age, he or she is not aware of social skills. You must train your puppy when it comes to social interactions with others.

You should train your puppy to interact properly with different animals and human beings. You can take your puppy to a nearby park for enhancing social skills.

Furthermore, you can take help from your friends in training your puppy. Invite your friends to your home and ask them to help your puppy when it comes to feeding and socializing.

You should also train your puppy to be home alone. Some dogs and puppies that aren’t trained to be alone at home grow hyper when left on their own.

They can chew your stuff and create a mess in your house.

Training your puppy to be home alone

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• You can place your puppy’s crate in a specific area with a food bowl, water, and newspapers.
• Leave your puppy in the area and go for a while.
• Begin your training process in one week. Your puppy may get hyper and aggressive in the start. But after some time, they will be calm down and stop making a mess when you are not around.
• Give your puppy a treat when you see  an improvement in its behavior.

Vaccinations for your puppy

Just like a human child, there are huge chances of illness in a 6-week old puppy. Symptoms may cause severe infections for your puppy if not treated on time.

Read more: First-Year Puppy Vaccinations; A Complete Guide

You should keep a check on your pup’s routine and behavior to see if it’s showing any signs of an illness.

Some of the main symptoms of puppy-related illnesses are:

• Having difficulty in breathing;
• Vomiting;
• Allergies;
• Not gaining weight according to age;
• Red eyes, discharge from eyes;
• Coughing;
• Wheezing;
• Diarrhea;
• Not passing stool or urine properly;
• Difficulty in taking meals;
• Swelling in the abdomen;
• Dizziness.

If you find any of the above symptoms in your puppy, then it’s time to contact a vet. There are different vaccines for different ages of dogs starting from 6-weeks to 3 years.

List of vaccines according to age

• A 6 to 8 week of puppy needs a recommended distemper and measles vaccination. The Bordetella vaccine is optional.
• At 10^th to 12^th week a puppy is recommended to have a DHPP vaccine for hepatitis, distemper or parvovirus. Bordetella and Lyme vaccinations are optional.
• Rabies vaccination is recommended for 12 to 24-weeks.

DHPP is a must vaccine for the puppies of 14 to 16-weeks. Coronavirus and Lyme vaccine is optional.

A puppy of 12 to 16 months needs DHPP and Rabies vaccination. Every 1 to 2-year puppy is recommended having DHPP vaccine and Rabies vaccines for 1 to 3 years as per law for animals. Puppy’s vaccines may differ in price and age. You can also go for titer tests of your puppy which can help in measuring pup’s immunity level.

This test can also determine if vaccinations are necessary or not. You should take note here that a titer test has nothing to do with being an alternative for a Rabies vaccination. It is because RABIES is a must vaccination for all the puppies as per the law.

Help your pup do exercise

Your puppy needs to be active and healthy for it to grow properly.  Exercise is a must for a puppy just as it is for humans. You can have better results down the line with regards to your pet’s health when you take your puppy for a walk. Regular walking sessions can be very helpful in keeping your pup’s immune system strong. Exercise is also a great way of using up a puppy’s activeness in a positive manner.

According to animalplanet.com, a 6-week old puppy needs 5 minutes of exercise regularly. You can increase the time limit of the exercise with your puppy’s age.

This exercise can be walking, playing with other dogs or with exercise balls.  You can also check if your puppy needs rest during such a session.  If your puppy starts to sit while you are on a walk, you should give your puppy some time to rest.

Conclusion

Keeping a 6-week old puppy is very much similar to taking care of a newly born human child, in a sense. The teaching and training procedure needs a lot of patience and time.

Your puppy needs all of your attention in learning different skills at such an age. You can ask for help from your friends and family to train your puppy with you if possible.

You can also throw puppy parties on the weekends so your pet can interact with other pets at your home.

Your puppy is your responsibility, and you should know how to properly take care of a 6-week old puppy for it to grow into a healthy adult pet.

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Best Cat Food for Overweight Cats

When we started domesticating cats, we let them retain some of their wild nature. They chased mice through barns and tracked birds in the fields, but now that our cats are more like family we keep them tucked away inside. A comfortable life for our cats has led to many of them becoming overweight!

List of the 5 best Cat food for Overweight Cats

Cat Food	Lifestage	Price	Our Rated
1. Hill’s Prescription Diet	Adult	$$$		Buy From Chewy
2. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets	Adult	$$$		Buy From Chewy
3. Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball and Weight Control	Adult	$$		Buy From Chewy
4. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet	Adult	$$$		Buy From Chewy
5. Hill’s Prescription Diet	Adult	$$$		Buy From Chewy

 

Top 5 Cat Food for Overweight Cats

1. Hill’s Prescription Diet m/d Glucose/Weight Management Pork Flavor Canned Cat Food

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• 5 oz Cans
• Low-fat

Made of pork, which if there’s any similarity in taste preferences, cats should find this recipe delicious! Hill’s prescription diet uses pork by-products, pork liver, and water to ensure that this recipe is full of protein and moisture. The supplements of vitamin E, C, and B12 will help your cat maintain their energy, as well as their skin and coat health.

This recipe requires a veterinary prescription which is honestly the best thing about this cat food option. The extra weight can come off too fast if you don’t follow your vet’s advice. When a vet suggests using Hill’s Prescription Diet for Glucose and Weight Management, you can ensure that your cat will lose weight safely.

We don’t like that the primary ingredient in this formula is pork by-product. Nothing against piggy’s, but, the by-product part is the issue. A by-product is a processed version of the unwanted parts of the animal. Similar to a chicken nugget or a hotdog.

Overall, if your veterinarian suggests Hill’s Prescription Diet for Glucose and Weight Management, you should follow their advice. The formula uses a balance of proteins, broth, and corn to ensure that your cat will lose weight without feeling hungry.

But, keep in mind that the Hill’s Prescription Diet isn’t for long-term use. When your cat loses the weight and gets to a healthy stage in their life, you need to change them to something more wholesome.

2. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Savory Selects Overweight Management Formula

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• 5 oz
• Turkey-based
• 2% fat

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Savory Selects Overweight Management Formula is made for cats to lose weight at a healthy pace. Their feeding suggestions advise pet owners to provide a number of cans per day based on the current weight of your cat. Although it might seem like a lot of food at first, keep in mind that the calories are far less than what they usually get.

We love that this recipe is low in both fat and calories but keeps a high protein build. The ingredients deliver quality and can have your cat feeling full throughout the day. You shouldn’t worry about your cat being hungry between meal periods.

We would prefer that the food texture be a pate rather than a chunky texture because cats are picky eaters. But, if your cat is overweight, it’s likely that they don’t have too many texture preferences.

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets offers a cat food that creates a diet to help melt away the ounces of excess weight. The formula is low in fat, and low calorie too. But, their ingredient choices keep the recipe high in protein and fiber.

The balance between nutrition and safe weight loss planning, you can keep your cat on this diet to lose weight, and then change their portion size to help them maintain a healthy weight.

3. Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball and Weight Control Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe

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• Meant for weight control
• A healthy amount of fiber

Blue Buffalo delivers another useful recipe that caters to our fur babies that need a little help with their diet. The indoor hairball and weight control chicken and brown rice recipe also support healthy digestion, and balances calories for high energy!

The 9% fiber in this recipe is outstanding, and a lot of the time overweight cats lack in the fiber department. The high fiber comes from peas, flaxseed, sweet potato and carrots! That’s a pretty impressive list.

We dislike the fact that this is dry food. Unfortunately, the low moisture content means that your cat won’t feel as full as if they had eaten wet food. Blue Buffalo tries to combat this issues by using brown rice as a filler.

If you’re looking for an option to transition to easily, Blue Buffalo might be your best choice. Cats that usually eat kibble can have a hard time switching over to wet cat food. The cat food for overweight cats needs to fit their own specific preferences too.

If you have a picky eater, of a cat that won’t eat wet food, this Blue Buffalo formula can still help your cat lose weight safely. Be sure to follow Blue Buffalo’s feeding instructions carefully though. It’s very easy to overfeed cats on dry food!

4. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie Canned Cat Food

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• 3-oz Cans
• 5% fat

Royal Canin works with various vets to develop formulas that will treat very specific problems. Although this food isn’t meant to treat obesity or weight gain, the reduced calorie formula will help your cat safely lose weight. This recipe has pork, chicken, liver, and a ton of nutrients to keep your cat healthy and boost their activity.

This formula is made for cats with digestion issues, and overweight cats will often experience gastrointestinal problems while you’re trying to help them lose weight. To curb the gastrointestinal issues and to help lose weight, Royal Canin has kept the fat content very low!

The downside with purchasing Royal Canin Veterinary Diet is the can size. We mentioned this earlier in the value section, and although someday you’ll hopefully have a cat that is a healthy weight, right now you have a big kitty on your hands. These 3 oz cans aren’t going to cut it for meal times.

As long as you don’t mind opening up 5 cans of food a day, Royal Canin has a lot to offer your cat in the way of nutrition. Although the formula is meant for cats that may tend to gain weight, your cat can lose weight safely on this diet.

5. Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Digestive/Weight Management with Chicken

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• 5 oz Cans
• Pork based

This pork-based product can help you manage your cats’ weight while bringing it down to a healthy level safely. The Hill’s Prescription Diet does require a veterinary prescription so be sure to discuss which option is best with your vet first. What sets this option apart from the other Hill’s Prescription Diet option is that this uses both chicken and pork, further reducing the fat content!

We like the introduction of chicken as a lean protein that will help your cat build up lean muscle. The pork can be great for helping cats develop more energy, but when it comes time to metabolize the fat the chicken works best.

While the fat content is low, the carbohydrate content is fairly high. Because of the use of corn and grain fillers, about 24% of the recipe is from carbs. Carbohydrates are slow burning sugars which can lower energy in your cat.

If you know that the amount of energy isn’t the problem, but the quality of food is what has led your cat to weight gain, this Prescription Diet formula from Hill’s is a great option. The feeding instructions here aren’t clear, but that’s partly because they want you to discuss how much and how often you feed your cat with your veterinarian.

Hill’s Prescription Diet with Chicken offers a weight loss solution that is high in fiber, low in fat and high in protein. This combination is the best way to help your cat lose weight. It’s important to keep in mind that these types of diets aren’t usually a long-term solution but a way to get your cat down to a reasonable weight.

What to Look for When Buying Food for Overweight Cat

Whether you’re looking to help your cat get fit, stay active and cultivate a healthy lifestyle or you’re just looking to bring down their weight slowly!

Type of Food for Overweight Cats

There’s a trick to losing weight that many people have learned, but cats haven’t caught on yet. Dry food will always have a lot of carbs and carbs are hard on the metabolism. They are also a form of sugar which associated with weight gain.

The wet food, however, is mostly water or broth. Intaking more liquids can help your cat feel full without relying on heavy carbs to weight them down through the day. Wet food usually has higher quality proteins and less processing.

But, if you’re cat has been on kibble their entire life they may hesitate to make the transition. Always work with a slow 2-week transition to get your cats into the groove of wet cat food. There are a few great things that come from using cat food.

There’s the benefit of a more hydrated cat which may help them keep their activity levels up. But, there’s also the benefit of portion control. Because can come in reasonable portion sizes you can rest knowing that your cat will get everything they need without restricting their diet.

Choosing the Right Portion

Portion control is easy to talk about when you’re looking at your own diet. You know when you’re hungry and when you’re full. But, you can’t know when your cat feels that way, and what’s worse is that your cat doesn’t know either. Cats are notorious for boredom eating, and overeating.

So, marking portions for your overweight cat will need some help. First, if you choose a kibble or dry food, you want to make sure that the nutritional label suggests reasonable portions. Second, stay away from foods that suggest calorie or food restriction. Third, stop free feeding! Finally, split up your cat’s meal times.

Many pet owners will leave a food bowl down so their cat can eat whenever they want to, and there’s nothing wrong with this habit. Cats are picky eaters, and some pet parents can’t wait around all day! But, overweight cats will have to say goodbye to the free-feeding bowl.

Choosing the right portion starts with knowing your cat’s weight, and then following the suggested servings on the food you chose. After you know your cat’s weight, you’ll want to determine how much food they should have per day and then divide that between 2 meal periods. Because you’re removing the free-feeding bowl, you want to feed them in the morning and at night to ensure they aren’t going hungry!

Look for Wholesome Ingredients

Although it’s always true that we should eat the things that are best for us and provide the things that are best for our cats, pet food companies try to cut corners. When you’re looking for wholesome ingredients, you should avoid food options that use a meal and by-product proteins.

Another tip for finding wholesome ingredients is avoiding pet food that uses dehydrated vegetables, or fruit. When these ingredients are dehydrated, they can lose valuable nutrition, and your overweight cats need all the nutrition they can get!

The Clear Winner…

The clear winner here is the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Feline Formula which allows cats to lose weight in a healthy weight. But, when your cat is done losing weight, you can stick with this formula to help them maintain their weight.

Purina starts this recipe out with water, turkey, and wheat gluten. They add in chicken, whitefish and a variety of supplements to ensure that your cat isn’t missing out on any nutrients they need.

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