You do everything right. You love your cat or dog, you keep their bowl filled, and you make sure they are comfortable. But if your vet has mentioned their weight lately, you are far from alone.
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, about 61 percent of cats and 59 percent of dogs evaluated by veterinary professionals in 2022 were classified as obese. That is a majority of pets in the U.S.
Extra weight is hard on animals, just as it is on people. For pets, it raises the risk of diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, urinary problems, and a shorter lifespan. Cats face a particular challenge. Neutered cats have lower metabolic rates and tend to move less. And when food is left out all day, portion control becomes nearly impossible.
A Tiny Implant, Six Months of Help
Researchers may have a new answer. San Francisco-based OKAVA Pharmaceuticals is testing a small implant called OKV-119 for overweight cats. It is slightly larger than a microchip and sits just under the skin. Once in place, it slowly releases medication for up to six months: no daily pills, no weekly shots.
OKV-119 works like GLP-1 drugs, the same class behind Ozempic and Wegovy in humans. It mimics natural hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar. According to OKAVA CEO Michael Klotsman, it is designed to replicate the effects of fasting and improved metabolism without requiring any changes to a pet’s feeding routine.
The product is currently in early-stage clinical trials and has not been approved yet. OKAVA will need to demonstrate that it is safe before it can move forward.
A Cornell Study and a Trial Called MEOW-1
A separate company, Akston Biosciences, is sponsoring a clinical study at Cornell University. It is testing a once-weekly GLP-1 therapy for overweight and obese cats.
Akston CEO Todd Zion announced the trial, named MEOW-1, in November. “Feline obesity is one of the most common yet least effectively treated health issues in veterinary medicine,” he said at the time.
What About Dogs?
Dogs are not being left out. Biotech firm Vivani Medical is partnering with OKAVA to develop a version of OKV-119 for dogs. Like the cat implant, it would be a small device delivering medication for up to six months. Breeds like pugs, beagles, and Labradors are genetically prone to overeating, making them especially likely candidates.
“Caloric restriction, or fasting, is one of the most well-established interventions for extending the lifespan and improving metabolic health in dogs,” Klotsman said. “But it is also one of the hardest to maintain.”
He added that OKV-119 is meant to mimic those same benefits: improved insulin sensitivity, reduced fat mass, and more efficient energy metabolism without requiring big changes in feeding routines or disrupting the bond between a pet and their person. That bond, he noted, often centers around food.
None of these treatments are available yet. But if your vet has ever told you your four-legged companion could stand to lose a few pounds, this research may be worth watching.
