Fido getting fat? Ozempic for dogs could hit the market in three years

Obesity isn’t just a human problem anymore — it’s going to the dogs (and cats). Recent studies show that nearly 60% of pets in the U.S. are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for serious health issues, expensive vet bills, and shorter lifespans.

Now, drugmakers are looking to change that — by adapting the same weight-loss science behind human medications like Ozempic and Wegovy for the animal world.

A New Era of Pet Weight Loss

Biotech startup Okava is developing a new treatment called OKV-119, a long-acting implant designed to help overweight pets shed excess weight. Made in partnership with Vivani Medical, the device is about the size of a microchip and delivers a steady dose of exenatide, a drug that mimics the appetite-suppressing hormone GLP-1.

GLP-1 treatments like semaglutide (in Wegovy) and tirzepatide (in Zepbound) have become blockbuster medications for humans struggling with obesity. Okava hopes to replicate that success for pets.

“OKV-119 mimics many of the physiological effects of fasting, helping pets feel full and eat less — without the need for strict diet changes,” said Okava CEO Michael Klotsman in a statement.

Early trials in cats showed promising results, with participants losing at least 5% of their body weight over 112 days. The trial is now expanding to dogs, and if all goes well, the product could hit the market by 2028 or 2029.

Why It Matters

Veterinarians have long recommended diet and exercise to help pets slim down, but as any pet owner knows, cutting back on treats isn’t easy — and begging, scavenging, and overeating are common hurdles.

OKV-119 aims to reduce those behaviors by controlling hunger biologically.

“What owners should expect is their pet eating normal portions, but without the obsessive food-seeking behavior,” Klotsman told The Guardian.

The need is urgent. In 2022, 100 million U.S. dogs and cats were classified as overweight or obese — up from 80 million just five years earlier, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.

And the health impacts are serious:

Overweight dogs can live up to 2.5 years less than their leaner peers.
Obese cats aged 8–12 have a 2.8x higher mortality rate, according to Manor Veterinary Hospital.

Like GLP-1 drugs for humans, OKV-119 could become a critical option for pets that haven’t responded to traditional weight loss strategies.

Pets Improve Our Health, Too

As Americans try to keep their pets healthy, research shows the benefits flow both ways.

Over half of dog owners say their pet’s health is as important — or more important — than their own. And it turns out, pets might be helping their humans live longer, healthier lives, too.

Studies show that pet ownership can:

Lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels
Reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness
Increase physical activity — dog owners are 34% more likely to meet exercise recommendations

One 2019 study found dog owners had a 24% lower risk of early death, jumping to 31% for heart attack or stroke survivors. Cat owners also benefit — with a 37% lower risk of dying from heart attacks, and 26% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

The Bottom Line

With pet obesity on the rise and traditional diets proving difficult to maintain, pharmaceutical innovations like OKV-119 could usher in a new age of animal wellness — helping our furry companions live longer, healthier lives.

And since science shows they help us do the same, it’s a win-win.

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