The Ozempic Revolution is Finally Coming for Our Pets. Up next: Chonky Cats

"Chonky" cats might be internet stars, but they are also facing a health crisis.

The internet loves a rotund tabby. We call them “cute” or “chonky” and praise them as “absolute units.” But while they may be adorable, fat cats are unhealthy. Ask any vet and they won’t laugh; they’ll warn you about shattered joints, insulin resistance, and the urgent need for a diet.

The problem is, you need a will of steel to feed your pet exactly what they need, not what they want. They beg, they meow, and they give you those sad eyes. It is incredibly hard to resist, and far too easy to toss them that extra treat.

Maybe Ozempic could help. No, really. A pharmaceutical company announced that it’s undergoing a clinical trial to test the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of a drug implant system, OKV-119, that releases an Ozempic-like substance. But this time it’s for our pets.

We’re Killing Our Pets with Comfort

Around 70% of Americans are obese or overweight. And their cats aren’t too far off. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, a staggering 61 percent of cats in the United States are overweight or obese. This translates to tens of millions of animals carrying dangerous excess mass.

Just like in humans, this adipose tissue is biologically active. It pumps out inflammatory hormones that degrade the body from the inside out, leading to osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, and — perhaps most critically — type 2 diabetes. And just like humans, these cats would benefit greatly from fewer calories.

“Caloric restriction, or fasting, is one of the most well-established interventions for extending lifespan and improving metabolic health in cats,” said Michael Klotsman, PhD, MBA, CEO of OKAVA, the company behind the trial. “But it’s also one of the hardest to maintain. OKV-119 is designed to mimic many of the physiological effects of fasting — improved insulin sensitivity, reduced fat mass, and more efficient energy metabolism — without requiring significant changes in feeding routines or disrupting the human–animal bond that often centers around food.”

The problem is getting the cats to comply, or finding the time and mental stamina to force them to. Food is love, and it’s an important part of bonding with animals. Enforcing a strict diet feels like a betrayal.

This is where the new treatment comes in.

Almost Like Ozempic

The science relies on GLP-1 receptor agonists. In humans, drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) have revolutionized healthcare by mimicking a hormone naturally produced in the gut. This hormone tells your brain you are full, slows gastric emptying, and regulates blood sugar.

It’s stunningly effective in humans. For the first time in decades, the obesity rate in the US is on the decline, largely because of Ozempic. As it turns out, the GLP-1 receptor is remarkably conserved across species. It exists in humans, it exists in dogs, and it exists in your cat.

OKV-119 uses exenatide, an earlier generation GLP-1 drug that has been used in humans since 2005. But you can’t simply ask a cat to inject itself weekly, and pilling a cat is a blood sport that most owners don’t like to play.

Instead, OKAVA partnered with Vivani Medical to utilize a technology called NanoPortal. It is a subdermal implant (inserted under the skin during a routine vet visit). Then, that implant does the delivery, slowly releasing the medication for up to half a year.

Calories and Longevity

The study, which is listed on the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Clinical Trials Registry, is currently recruiting overweight client-owned cats to evaluate safety and efficacy. If successful, this could end up preventing a swarm of health problems for our furry friends.

But the researchers are looking at more than just the number on the scale. They are looking at the holy grail of modern medicine: healthspan. “Beyond weight loss, the implications of this pet-tailored GLP-1 solution for diabetes, kidney disease, and healthy aging and longevity may be profound,” the company noted in their announcement.

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Consider the kidney connection. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the nemesis of the domestic cat. It is a leading cause of death in older felines. In human trials, GLP-1 drugs have shown surprising efficacy in protecting kidney function. If OKV-119 can offer even a fraction of that renal protection to cats, it wouldn’t just be a weight loss drug; it would be a life-extension drug in more ways than one.

The goals are ambitious. Hopefully, for the sake of our feline companions, it’ll work.