Are obese cats now having ozempic tested on them?
This fact-check may be outdated. Consider refreshing it to get the most current information.
Executive summary
Yes — clinical trials of GLP‑1 drugs for overweight cats have begun. Okava Pharmaceuticals and other groups have launched pilot studies testing GLP‑1 receptor agonists delivered as implants or injections in obese cats; the implants are described as slightly larger than a microchip and can release drug for weeks to months [1] [2] [3]. Reporting varies on the exact molecule: some trials use exenatide rather than semaglutide (the active in Ozempic), and other groups are testing different GLP‑1 constructs [3] [4].
1. What’s actually being tested: “Ozempic‑style” drugs, not necessarily Ozempic
Several outlets say researchers are testing GLP‑1 receptor agonists — the drug class that includes human medicines such as Ozempic (semaglutide) — on obese cats, but they are not universally testing the human branded drug itself. Okava’s OKV‑119 implant uses a GLP‑1 agonist and the company is running pilot studies of a subcutaneous implant that slowly releases drug for up to six months [1] [2]. ABC News notes Okava plans to use exenatide — a different GLP‑1 molecule than semaglutide (Ozempic) — in its study [3]. Other groups (e.g., Akston) are developing their own GLP‑1‑based injections for pets [4].
2. How the drugs are being given: implants and tailored formulations
Reporting emphasizes a different delivery approach than the weekly human shots: the veterinary trials often use small injectable implants (about the size of a microchip) that steadily release GLP‑1 over weeks to months, or pet‑specific injection formulations, to avoid the logistics of repeated owner dosing [1] [2] [4]. Okava’s implant is described as lasting up to six months in some reports, while clinical monitoring windows cited include 12‑week evaluations in early trials [1] [2].
3. Who is running trials and how broad the activity is
Okava Pharmaceuticals, a San Francisco biotech, is repeatedly identified as launching pilot studies for obese cats; independent academic centers such as Cornell are also mentioned in coverage of related GLP‑1 trials, and some veterinary endocrinologists say they have used human GLP‑1 drugs off‑label in diabetic cats [1] [4] [5]. News outlets describe multiple initiatives and at least one named clinical study (MEOW‑1) testing GLP‑1 in cats [6].
4. Why veterinarians and companies argue the drugs are needed
Coverage points to high pet obesity rates — roughly 50–60% of dogs and cats in some estimates — and related disease risks such as diabetes, osteoarthritis and cardiovascular issues; proponents say GLP‑1s could offer a new tool beyond “feed less, exercise more,” which many pet owners struggle to implement [1] [2] [3] [6]. Veterinarians quoted call the approach potentially transformative for veterinary obesity medicine [1] [5].
5. Safety, efficacy and unanswered questions
News reports note these are early trials focused on safety, tolerability and efficacy; researchers will monitor cats closely, often for 12 weeks or more, but longer‑term effects, optimal dosing and side‑effect profiles in cats remain to be established [2] [3]. Different GLP‑1 molecules and delivery systems are being tested, so results from one program may not generalize to another [3] [4]. Available sources do not mention long‑term safety outcomes beyond these initial trial windows.
6. Ethical, cost and behavioural debates already appearing
Commentary and features raise ethical and practical questions: will medicating pets for owner convenience substitute for better feeding and activity habits, how will treating appetite change pet–owner bonding around food, and who will pay (human GLP‑1s are costly and in high demand)? Some history of a prior pet weight drug (Slentrol) not catching on is used to caution against assuming immediate uptake [7] [8]. Media also note off‑label use by vets in some diabetic cats, underscoring both demand and concern [5] [7].
7. Bottom line for owners wanting a concise takeaway
Yes — pets, especially cats, are now in formal trials of GLP‑1s described as “Ozempic‑style,” but that does not mean Ozempic the human brand is simply being repackaged for cats. Trials use pet‑specific molecules and delivery methods, and they are early stage, focused on safety and short‑term efficacy; longer‑term benefits, risks and regulatory approvals are still pending [1] [3] [6].