Camilla Jessen
US company plans to tackle feline obesity with weight loss drug for cats.
A California pharmaceutical company is preparing to test a new weight-loss medication designed specifically for overweight cats.
The trial, announced by Okava Pharmaceuticals, marks the first use of a GLP-1–based treatment in household pets.
The study comes as veterinarians warn that feline obesity has become a widespread health problem across the United States.
Implant-based treatment
The trial, called MEOW-1, is set to begin Tuesday.
Okava plans to test a miniature implant that releases a GLP-1 drug continuously for up to six months — similar in principle to human medications such as Wegovy, though the compound used for cats is exenatide.
Fifty cats will receive the implant and have their weight checked at the three-month point, with additional monitoring through six months. Okava CEO Michael Klotsman says the company hopes the treatment will help owners struggling to manage their pets’ weight.
If the trial succeeds, the company plans to seek FDA approval between 2027 and 2028, with expected monthly out-of-pocket costs for pet owners around $100.
Why target cat obesity?
Okava says weight reduction remains “the only proven means of extending a cat’s lifespan,” noting that leaner cats have lower diabetes risk and fewer joint issues.
Roughly half of America’s pet cats — around 25 million — are considered overweight or obese.
The company says owners should expect “meaningful behavioral changes,” including less begging, reduced scavenging and better portion control as appetite tapers.
Greater activity and energy levels may follow as weight drops.
How GLP-1 drugs work
GLP-1 medications were originally developed for diabetes because they aid insulin production and help control blood sugar. A secondary effect slows digestion, reducing appetite — which later led to their approval as weight-loss drugs in humans.
The MEOW-1 study is the first attempt to adapt this mechanism for cats. Okava has also signalled plans for similar research involving dogs in the future.
According to the company, medication may offer benefits that go beyond traditional diet and exercise plans for pets.
Potential advantages include improved glucose metabolism, reduced osteoarthritic pain and inflammation, better insulin sensitivity and enhanced cardiovascular function.
The study is in early stages.
Sources: AP, Reuters, BBC, Unilad
