Biotech Firms Unleash Weight-Loss Drugs for Pampered Pups

As of August 18th, 2025, the pet care industry is abuzz with the prospect of weight-loss drugs for dogs. With up to 60% of UK pups estimated to be overweight or obese, biotech companies see a lucrative market for canine equivalents of popular human medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro.

San Francisco-based Okava is leading the charge, planning trials for a 6-month implant drug that would replicate the effects of Ozempic in dogs. The company believes the current market for such a product could be worth a staggering $10 billion, and hopes to have a canine weight-loss solution available as early as 2028 or 2029.

However, not all tails are wagging at the prospect of drugging dogs. Veterinarians caution that in most cases, owners would be better off addressing their pets' weight through increased exercise and diet restrictions, rather than relying on emerging pharmaceutical interventions. The RSPCA's Chief Veterinary Officer, Caroline Allen, emphasizes that "a healthy diet and exercise is the best way to keep our pets happy and well."

While weight-loss medications may have a limited role to play in the future for clinically unwell animals, experts agree that the focus should be on establishing healthy habits from the start to ensure dogs can live their best lives.