Ozempic for Cats? Vets Test Weight-Loss Drug on Overweight Felines

Veterinarians are exploring whether weight-loss drugs similar to Ozempic could help overweight cats manage obesity. The trials aim to assess how these medications affect feline appetite, metabolism, and overall health. With pet obesity on the rise, vets are carefully studying potential benefits, risks, dosage levels, and long-term safety before considering wider use.

Inspired by Ozempic, this emerging treatment could be a game-changer for pet owners battling feline obesity and the health problems that come with it.

Veterinarians are now testing a new weight-management therapy for cats that draws on the science behind popular human weight-loss drugs. OKAVA Pharmaceuticals has confirmed the launch of its first clinical trial for OKV-119, an implant specifically developed for overweight cats. The trial will closely examine how safe the treatment is, how well cats tolerate it, and whether it effectively supports healthy weight reduction.

This breakthrough arrives as specialists warn that more than half of pet cats globally are carrying excess weight. Obesity in cats is linked to a higher risk of diabetes, joint pain, heart disease, and skeletal disorders like hip dysplasia. For many owners, controlling weight through diet alone proves difficult, particularly when free-feeding habits contribute to gradual weight gain.

OKV-119 may offer fresh hope to those who have exhausted conventional approaches, giving cats a better chance to regain mobility, energy, and long-term health.

According to OKAVA CEO Michael Klotsman, traditional calorie restriction is known to improve metabolic health and lifespan in cats, but it is notoriously hard to sustain. He explains that OKV-119 is designed to replicate the benefits of fasting, such as better insulin response, reduced fat stores, and improved energy use, without forcing drastic feeding changes or straining the emotional bond between pets and their owners.

The medication is administered through a small under-the-skin implant that steadily releases the drug over six months, eliminating the need for daily treatments. Like Ozempic and Wegovy in humans, it functions as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, activating natural appetite and blood sugar regulation pathways, a mechanism that remains remarkably consistent across mammal species.

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Source: NDTV‍