Fat Chance: The Real Fix for Pet Obesity Isn’t in a Pill

Pet obesity has become one of the most pressing and uncomfortable issues in veterinary medicine. Nearly 59% of dogs and 61% of cats in the United States are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). Yet, only a small fraction of owners recognize that their pets have a problem. In a 2023 study by the APOP, only 17% of dog owners and 28% of cat owners acknowledged that their pets were overweight. 

The consequences are undeniable. Obese pets live shorter lives, face higher risks of diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, and cost their owners significantly more in veterinary bills. This is not a minor aesthetic concern or a fad, but a crisis of health and welfare. 

And yet, the pet industry’s response has been telling. 

The Heavy Truth 

Instead of returning to the basics of calorie control, portion management, and exercise, companies have rushed to develop quick-fix solutions modeled on human pharmaceuticals. In recent months, headlines have been filled with announcements of “doggy Ozempic.” A growing number of products now promise to promote pet weight loss, from supplements marketed as appetite regulators to experimental implants designed to suppress hunger over time. The marketing is slick, the consumer appeal is obvious, and the cultural parallel to human weight-loss drugs is irresistible. But the question is not whether these products can be developed; it is whether they should be. 

The financial burden is equally serious. Owners of obese pets spend more on veterinary care through diagnostic testing, chronic medications, and even orthopedic surgeries. In Europe, prevalence rates are similarly alarming, with up to 50% of pets overweight or obese in countries such as the United Kingdom. Globally, the epidemic mirrors the human struggle with excess weight, but in pets, the drivers are far simpler: consuming too many calories, lack of sufficient exercise, and owners’ unwillingness to make necessary changes. 

Quick-Fix Gold Rush: Pills, Supplements, and Implants 

As pet obesity becomes more common, the industry has quickly promoted popular, human-like “solutions,” framing these products as innovations rather than tackling the real root causes. 

A recently launched weight loss supplement for dogs, dubbed “Pawzempic”, is marketed as a “natural” weight management supplement for dogs. The nickname itself is an echo of Ozempic, one of the most widely known weight loss drugs in humans. The claims are ambitious: weight management through amino acids, probiotics, fibers, and resistant starches that supposedly trigger GLP-1 activity (the same biological mechanism that makes Ozempic effective for weight loss in humans). Social media buzz ensured visibility, though much of the commentary was skeptical. Industry professionals and consumers alike questioned whether appetite suppression in pets was either ethical or safe. 

At the same time, biotech firms are testing implantable devices designed to release GLP-1 agonists over months. These products could reach the market by 2030, if trials are successful. Proponents tout them as breakthroughs; critics see them as another attempt to commercialize a human drug trend in animals, regardless of context. 

This isn’t the first time the industry has attempted to address pet obesity through medication. In 2007, Pfizer launched Slentrol, a fat-blocking appetite suppressant for dogs. Although it received FDA approval, the drug was eventually pulled from the market after widespread reports that it caused adverse reactions, dulled pets’ enthusiasm for eating, and disrupted the pet–owner bond. Its withdrawal stands as a clear warning: pharmaceutical shortcuts to weight management often create more problems than they solve—for humans and pets. 

Regardless of the intention, the pattern is clear: pet obesity is being redefined not as a management problem, but as a market opportunity. 

Why These Products Miss the Point 

GLP-1 drugs in humans are associated with nausea, vomiting, and digestive slowdown. People can report side effects; dogs cannot. A skinny, puking dog is not a picture of health, yet that is precisely the risk if such interventions are misused. 

The reality is that most pets are not overweight because of rare metabolic disorders. They are overweight because their owners feed too much, exercise too little, and misunderstand portion sizes. Table scraps, calorie-dense treats, and oversized servings are the primary culprits. Studies suggest that only a small percentage of canine obesity is caused by genetic mutations, such as the well-documented “hungry genes” in Labradors. For the majority of dogs, the equation is simple: too many calories in, too few calories out. 

Quick fixes don’t change behavior; they promote complacency. If owners think a pill or implant can control weight, they’re less likely to change feeding habits or stick to exercise routines. This shifts responsibility away from people and onto technology, weakening the bond of care that defines responsible pet ownership. 

Has Humanization Gone Too Far? 

The pet industry thrives on humanization. Some results are positive: higher safety standards, better nutrition, and greater recognition that pets should have more than just basic feed. However, humanization can go too far. Marketing diets as “ancestral” or “paleo” may appeal to owners, but often overlooks the needs of modern pets. A sedentary Spaniel doesn’t need a diet based on a wolf’s. 

“Doggy Ozempic” is another extreme. The translation of human pharmaceutical trends into the pet space is not always logical or safe. To claim otherwise is to blur the line between genuine care and vanity-driven mimicry. This is precisely where the industry must stop and ask: are we innovating for the health of animals, or are we chasing consumer fads at their expense? 

The financial logic is problematic. Supplements and implants generate consistent revenue. Owners buy them repeatedly, month after month and year after year, often without tackling the core issue. Meanwhile, the straightforward solution of simply feeding less requires no new products, produces no additional profit, and can prolong the life of a bag of food. 

The Irony of “Biologically Appropriate” 

The same pattern occurs in pet food. Premium foods often boast high protein and fat levels, making them calorie-dense. For working dogs, this can be suitable and even sought after. For the average house pet, however, it’s excessive. A cup of kibble with more than 500 calories leaves no room for error. A handful of extra kibbles results in a significant daily caloric excess. 

The irony is that “biologically appropriate” has become a simplified marketing term that loses its real meaning. True biological appropriateness would match food to an animal’s energy needs and lifestyle, not to a romanticized image of a wolf hunt. Overfeeding a high-calorie food to a sedentary pet isn’t natural; it’s neglect disguised as nutrition. 

This is where the industry must confront its own role in the pet obesity problem. Marketing protein and fat as the ultimate indicators of quality may boost sales, but it also contributes to obesity. It's not just that owners are making mistakes; it's that brands make these mistakes easier for them to commit. The pet food industry has every incentive to promote calorie-rich diets and quick-fix solutions, since both increase consumption and cut costs. However, what is profitable isn't always responsible.  

Cutting Through the Fat 

The smarter approach isn't complicated. The basics of weight management are well established: cut calories, boost activity, choose diets suited to the animal’s metabolism and lifestyle, consult veterinarians, and most importantly, avoid shortcuts. 

Veterinarians are a critical line of defense that is often overlooked. They are trusted, credible, and scientifically trained, but they must resist the pressure to endorse shortcuts. Prescribing an implant or supplement may seem quick, but it undermines the more important message: obesity is a management issue. Body condition scoring, accurate caloric recommendations, and clear communication about portion control should remain the standard of care. Educating owners firmly and consistently about the consequences of obesity is more effective than prescribing the latest fad. 

The industry can make a meaningful contribution by developing lower-calorie foods that still provide satiety, clarifying feeding instructions, and investing in education instead of gimmicks. At the same time, owners must accept that their pets’ health is their responsibility and that buying a pill cannot replace the discipline of proper feeding and exercise. 

Hard Truths, Real Solutions 

Pet obesity isn't a mystery. It's not an unsolvable problem. It's the predictable result of overfeeding and under-exercising, and it can be reversed with accountability and discipline. Pills and implants might seem innovative, but they are ultimately marketed as conveniences that shift responsibility away from the people who created the problem. 

The real breakthrough in pet obesity won't come from supplements or medical devices. It will come from honesty: from brands that stop hiding behind marketing jargon, from veterinarians who speak clearly about responsibility, and from owners who understand that the most meaningful act of love is restraint. Walking a dog costs nothing. Reducing portion sizes costs less than a supplement and will actually result in more savings in the long run. The solutions might not be glamorous, but they work. 

Anything else is a fat chance. 

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About the Author

Neeley Bowden is a Manager of Special Services on the BSM Partners Product Innovation team. She earned her bachelor's degree in pet food production and her master's in food science. In her early career, she worked in product innovation of pet food ingredients, focusing on the development of palatability enhancers. Bowden calls her horse farm in South Carolina home, along with her faithful canine, Allie.