Clients are asking me about giving their overweight dog or cat their Ozempic. The answer is a resounding NO!
This is not a matter of simply adjusting the dose. It is a matter of life and possibly death for your dog or cat.
Do not give any GLP-1 medication such as Ozempoic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound intended for humans to your pet.
Do not give any of your prescriptions or over-the-counter medications to your dog or cat without asking your veterinarian!
We all find our pets to be part of the family, but dogs and cats process and break down chemicals very differently than we humans do.
Certain kidney and liver enzymes are needed for processing many human drugs and without these enzymes even a tiny amount of numerous human medications can cause your pal to have organ failure and death.
If you give your GLP-1 medication to your pal, you may cause all the symptoms listed below that will require immediate lifesaving medical treatment.
- Severe, persistent vomiting and diarrhea
- Pancreatitis, which is a painful and may be a fatal inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is an especially important organ that produces enzymes that help break down fats (foods) and produces hormones that control blood sugar. When your pal’s pancreas becomes inflamed, its digestive enzymes can actually start to auto digest the pancreas.
- Dangerously low blood sugar may lead to seizures, coma and death.
- Acute kidney or liver failure
Poison control has recently reported an increase in pets’ GLP-1 poisonings.
This occurs when a diabetic dog or cat is injected with human GLP-1 instead of dog or cat insulin because both these medications are stored in the refrigerator, both use an auto-injector pen and the medications look similar.
Also, pets may find auto-injector pens left in the trash, on nightstands, or on kitchen or bathroom countertops and chew them, thus ingesting the remaining GLP-1.
If your dog or cat is accidently injected with GLP-1 or chews the auto injection pen, contact poison control immediately. You can reach poison control 24 hours a day at ASPCA at 1.888.426.4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 1.855.764.7661.
It is a good idea to bring the GLP-1 pen or oral medication to the emergency room with you. Calling the poison control line while on your way to a pet ER is a good plan.
Do not try home remedies or induce vomiting unless a professional tells you to.
Research and clinical studies are being done now on the effects of GLP-1 use in cats.
Weight loss on cats is much harder to achieve than in dogs. Overweight cats cannot be put on a strict diet because rapid weight loss can cause them to deposit fat in their liver.
This is called hepatic lipidosis, a dangerous, life-threatening medical emergency that is nearly always fatal if left untreated.
Cats, unlike dogs, typically do not like taking longer walks on leashes. Fearful or timid cats find leash walks stressful and the restraint of their leash or harness may make them pull if they feel their leash or harness is making them feel trapped.
Cats are creatures that do not like change, including dietary changes, and all cat owners have experienced the trials of giving your cat a pill or even liquid medication.
Several biotech and pharmaceutical companies are researching GLP-1s in cats.
Okava Pharmaceuticals is working on a clinical study evaluating a GLP-1 miniature implants designed to deliver GLP-1 medications continuously for six months to cats. This study is called “MEOW-1.”
Akston Biosciences is working with Cornell University to test a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 therapy for cats.
The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) conducts rigorous safety, efficacy and manufacturing reviews. Thus, the first GLP-1 receptor agonists in cats are expected to seek approval from the Food & Drug Administration in 2027-2028.
No weight loss product is FDA approved for cats or dogs, and there currently is no commercial “Ozempic for cats” (No GLP-1s for cats or dogs).
A proven and approved product is likely still many years away, if one ever comes to market.
For now, there is no “magic shot” for pet obesity. Ask your veterinarian for help with a safe and healthy weight loss program for your cats and dogs.
