Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have been making headlines for their role in human weight loss, but the conversation is now shifting from dinner tables to dog bowls. With obesity in pets increasingly described as a “crisis,” scientists are exploring whether the same drugs used by humans could soon help overweight pups shed extra pounds.
A recent report by the Daily Mail highlights how biotech firm Vivani Medical is partnering with Okava to test a dog-friendly version of GLP-1 mimics, the same compounds behind popular “skinny jabs.” If trials succeed, your Labrador’s “Ozempup” injection may not be science fiction for long.
“There’s a massive genetic component that drives the animal to be hungry all the time. Having an alternative approach, such as drugs, could be useful for clinicians on the ground to have an extra option,” he explained.
Not everyone is sold on the idea of medicated pups. Dr. Helen Zomer of the University of Florida cautions that while the science is promising, unanswered questions remain. “We don’t have definitive answers whether it would be a good solution or potential consequences,” she noted, emphasizing that balanced diets and physical activity are still the best strategies for weight control.
For now, weight-loss jabs for dogs remain in trial stages. But if successful, they could reshape how vets address pet obesity. With the first commercial availability projected for 2028, the question looms: will dog owners embrace medicated implants, or will healthy diets and long walks remain the gold standard?
A recent report by the Daily Mail highlights how biotech firm Vivani Medical is partnering with Okava to test a dog-friendly version of GLP-1 mimics, the same compounds behind popular “skinny jabs.” If trials succeed, your Labrador’s “Ozempup” injection may not be science fiction for long.
How It Works: An Implant, Not an Injection
Unlike humans who take semaglutide injections weekly, the canine version—called OKV-119—would be delivered via a tiny implant, similar in size to a tracking chip. The device would sit under the skin and release a steady stream of medication for up to six months. Trials so far suggest it is safe in cats, and if approved for dogs, the product could hit the market as early as 2028.Unlike humans who take semaglutide injections weekly, the canine version—called OKV-119—would be delivered via a tiny implant.
Why Target Dogs?
Certain breeds such as pugs, beagles, and labradors are notorious for overeating, often putting them at risk of arthritis, heart disease, and reduced lifespan. Professor Alex German, an obesity specialist at the University of Liverpool, told the Daily Mail that managing weight in dogs is rarely simple.“There’s a massive genetic component that drives the animal to be hungry all the time. Having an alternative approach, such as drugs, could be useful for clinicians on the ground to have an extra option,” he explained.
A Growing Crisis
Veterinarians warn that obesity in pets mirrors human struggles. Diet restrictions and exercise plans often fall short, especially for dogs genetically prone to weight gain. While “therapeutic diets” remain the standard, German stresses that weight management is a “years-long, often life-long challenge” that leaves many owners frustrated.Not everyone is sold on the idea of medicated pups. Dr. Helen Zomer of the University of Florida cautions that while the science is promising, unanswered questions remain. “We don’t have definitive answers whether it would be a good solution or potential consequences,” she noted, emphasizing that balanced diets and physical activity are still the best strategies for weight control.
Veterinarians warn that obesity in pets mirrors human struggles. Diet restrictions and exercise plans often fall short, especially for dogs genetically prone to weight gain.
Lessons From the Past
This isn’t the first time pharmaceutical weight-loss solutions have been pitched for pets. Back in 2007, Pfizer introduced Slentrol, a drug designed to suppress canine appetites. While initially welcomed, it was later discontinued after owners reported that their dogs seemed less energetic and less happy.For now, weight-loss jabs for dogs remain in trial stages. But if successful, they could reshape how vets address pet obesity. With the first commercial availability projected for 2028, the question looms: will dog owners embrace medicated implants, or will healthy diets and long walks remain the gold standard?
