Life’s “ruff" enough without the added challenge of getting your pudgy pup or tubby tabby to slim down. Studies suggest that around 60% of dogs and cats nationwide are overweight. Those extra pounds can lead to serious health issues, sky-high vet bills, and fewer years without your furry friend. Enter the Ozempets era. Pharmaceutical companies are sniffing out new territory, tapping the same science behind blockbuster weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to develop similar treatments for pets. One biotech firm, Okava, expects to roll out its animal-friendly version by the end of the decade, hoping to give your portly pooch or hefty house cat a chance at a leaner, longer life. Caloric restriction is one of the most well-established methods of slimming down pets, but it’s also one of the hardest to maintain. To address the problem, Okava and Vivani Medical are partnering to develop OKV-119, a long-acting implant designed to support weight loss in dogs and cats. Roughly the size of a standard tracking chip, the device delivers a steady dose of exenatide — a medication primarily used to treat Type 2 diabetes — for up to six months. OKV-119 mimics many of the physiological effects of fasting without requiring significant changes in feeding routines or disrupting the human-animal bond that often centers around food. In other words, your pets won’t go on a hunger strike. They will still eat regularly and show interest in meals, just without the excessive begging, scavenging or gulping behavior. Trials are now being conducted, with the companies aiming to launch OKV-119 commercially by 2028.
