\n<\/p>\n
Where humans lead, their dogs tend to follow \u2013 now it seems that might even apply to weight-loss wonder drugs.<\/p>\n
Medications such as Wegovy have become ubiquitous among people hoping to shed pounds quickly. But businesses keen to cash in on the science behind the weight-loss jabs are now investigating other applications for the drugs, and our four-legged friends could be the next in line for a slimming solution.<\/p>\n
The active ingredients in the drugs mimic a hormone called GLP-1, which makes people want to eat less. One biotech firm has just announced trials for an implant that reproduces the effect in dogs, with the aim of bringing it to the market as soon as 2028.<\/p>\n
The hope is that the same science can be used to quell the voracious appetite of some dog breeds that can lead to them piling on the pounds.<\/p>\n
While experts say such medications could be beneficial for some overweight animals, their use outside of humans is not without complication or the potential for controversy.<\/p>\n
What is not contentious is that pet weight is a real issue for many owners.<\/p>\n
Neutering, age, a lack of activity and overfeeding are among the factors that can contribute to the problem. According to a 2024 report by the trade body UK Pet Food, 50% of dogs and 43% of cats are overweight.<\/p>\n
Excess weight can shorten the lifespan of pets and reduce their quality of life; tubby cats, for instance, face a greater risk of problems including diabetes, urinary tract issues and cancer, while overweight canines are more likely to have to contend with conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, breathing problems and cancer.<\/p>\n
Commonly recommended solutions are increased exercise and strict prescription diets that are high in fibre and protein but low in calories.<\/p>\n
Dr Eleanor Raffan, a veterinary surgeon and expert in canine genetics and obesity at the University of Cambridge, said some good old-fashioned discipline should be the first option.<\/p>\n
<\/span>\u2018You have to really resist the big brown eye treatment and that can be really hard in our busy lives today.\u2019<\/span> Photograph: Angela Hampton Picture Library\/Alamy<\/p>\n \u201cI would [advise] owners, both for the benefit of their pockets, and possibly for the benefit of their pets, to try modifying their dog\u2019s diet and exercise regime first, because I think we know that that can be safe and effective if done well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut if that fails, or if there\u2019s an urgent need to get weight loss, then I see no reason why using [GLP-1 mimic] drugs shouldn\u2019t be a reasonable option, so long as they are tested in proper, prospective, well-designed, randomised clinical trials before being widely offered in practice.\u201d<\/p>\n A strong selling point of the medication is that it helps pet owners navigate one of the biggest obstacles to pet weight loss: what many vets describe as \u201cpester power\u201d, or, to put it another way, humans\u2019 inability to say no to their loyal companions.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat our research shows in our group \u2026 is that that if you have a very foodie dog, you have to work much harder,\u201d she said. \u201cYou have to really resist the big brown eye treatment and that can be really hard in our busy lives today.\u201d<\/p>\n Appetite suppressants may help stop the kind of begging that most pet owners are familiar with, but they come with one major drawback: that a pet\u2019s appetite is often an important marker of their health. Some experts worry that if humans are unable to tell if their animal has stopped eating because they are unwell or because the weight loss drugs are doing their job, it could prove dangerous.<\/p>\n \u201cIf cats stop eating for a few days, they can develop a condition called hepatic lipidosis and other problems, which can be life threatening,\u201d said Raffan.<\/p>\n Michael Klotsman is the chief executive of Okava, one of the companies developing a long-acting implant called OKV-119 that contains a GLP-1 mimic called exenatide.<\/p>\n He said behavioural changes from OKV-119 were quite different from illness-related appetite loss.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat owners should expect to see is their pet eating appropriate portions without the previous food obsession \u2013 they\u2019ll still eat regularly and show interest in meals, just without the excessive begging, scavenging or gulping behaviour,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The company is planning trials in dogs, and hopes to launch its implant commercially in 2028 or 2029.<\/p>\n Klotsman said: \u201cOKV-119 represents an additional tool for veterinarians treating pets where conventional approaches have been insufficient, similar to how GLP-1 therapies have provided new hope for human patients struggling with obesity despite their best efforts with diet and exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n Prof Peter Sand\u00f8e, of the University of Copenhagen and the director of the Danish Centre for the Study of Companion Animal Welfare, said such drugs could potentially help some pets, such as food-obsessed dogs.<\/p>\n However, he added, if owners were concerned enough about their pet\u2019s weight to consider such medications, then there were many other \u2013 probably cheaper \u2013 options they could try, from activity feeders to extra walks, microchip-controlled feeders, and switching out treats for fun and games.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy take the medical solution if there\u2019s some other solutions that actually might be better for both human and animal welfare?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Where humans lead, their dogs tend to follow \u2013 now it seems that might even apply to weight-loss wonder drugs. Medications such as Wegovy have become ubiquitous among people hoping to shed pounds quickly. 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