When pets gain weight

Most pets do not need a new weight-loss drug. Instead feed them fewer calories and treats, and add more movement

- Nameeta Nadkarni

Exercise needs to be consistent, not extreme.

(ISTOCKPHOTO)

Ozempic has become one of those words that needs no introduction. Developed for diabetes, it is now closely associated with weight loss. It has also entered veterinary conversations, usually as a question. If this exists for people, why not for pets?

There is limited and cautious scientific interest in appetite-regulating pathways in animals, including those related to GLP-1, a natural hormone that helps control blood sugar. This work is early and largely exploratory. There is some work being done in the veterinary space with Ozempic for weight loss, but so far, no GLP-1 drugs have been approved for weight loss in dogs or cats, and none are close to routine clinical use. However, there is still a lot of curiosity among pet parents about this drug.

Most pet parents recognise weight gain long before it is discussed in a clinic. What they struggle with is recognising obesity. Many pets are described as “just solid” or “naturally round”, particularly cats and small dog breeds. Obesity is not about size. It is about excess fat.