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This week, we're taking a look at dog obesity. What happens when the human weight-loss craze collides with the pet industry?

We may be about to find out.

Biotech firms are developing implants to suppress canine appetite, while UK startup Omni has just launched LeanPaws, a vegan supplement billed as the first natural alternative to Ozempic for dogs.

It’s a trend that raises urgent questions: are we helping pets live longer, healthier lives… or outsourcing responsibility for obesity to pills and devices?

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Dog obesity (doggobesity?) and the debate over quick fixes

Pet obesity has quietly become one of the most pressing health issues in the dog world. According to veterinary associations, more than half of dogs in developed countries are overweight or obese.

The consequences are serious: higher risks of diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and reduced lifespans. The problem mirrors human trends (too much food, not enough exercise, and lifestyles increasingly shaped by convenience).

Yet, while the dangers are clear, solutions have proved elusive. Traditional advice, such as adjusting portions, changing diets, and increasing activity, often runs up against owner habits and emotional barriers. Feeding, after all, is one of the most powerful expressions of love between people and their pets.

Omni’s bold entry: LeanPaws

Into this challenge steps Omni, the UK-based startup known for its vegan dog food. Omni recently launched LeanPaws, a weight management supplement described as a first-of-its-kind in the pet sector (and described by some media as “Ozempic for dogs”).

Unlike Ozempic, a GLP-1 agonist drug that works by altering appetite signals in humans, LeanPaws is a plant-based supplement formulated with ingredients designed to support weight loss in safer, more natural ways.

Key ingredients include:

• Green tea extract, thought to boost metabolism.

• L-carnitine, an amino acid linked to fat metabolism.

• Fibre sources, to improve satiety and reduce overeating.

“Inspired by the success of human weight-loss medications like Ozempic, LeanPaws is a first-of-its-kind natural supplement for dogs, developed by Omni to address weight management without the need for pharmaceuticals,” Omni said.

Unlike medication, LeanPaws is:

• Non-prescription

• Diet-compatible (including fresh, wet, raw and high-fat diets)

• Safe and natural, with minimal side effects

Omni markets LeanPaws as a preventive wellness product rather than a pharmaceutical shortcut, i.e. something dog parents can integrate into daily routines, alongside diet and exercise.

The implant debate

At the same time, another innovation has captured headlines: Vivani Medical and Okava's OKV-119, an implant in development that delivers slow-release GLP-1 hormones - the same class of drugs used in Ozempic. Implanted under the skin, it suppresses appetite for up to six months.

Supporters argue that such a device could revolutionise obesity management in severe cases. But critics, including veterinary ethicists and commentators, warn of major concerns:

• Loss of appetite as a diagnostic signal: In animals, reduced appetite is often the first clue of illness. Suppressing hunger artificially risks masking serious conditions.

• Impact on the human–animal bond: Feeding is a central ritual of pet ownership. Previous weight-loss drugs failed partly because owners disliked dulling their pets’ joy at mealtimes.

• Shortcut mentality: Obesity in pets is rarely purely biological. It usually stems from owner choices, lack of exercise, and environmental factors. By jumping straight to pharmaceutical fixes, we risk outsourcing responsibility rather than addressing root causes.

What’s at stake 

Omni’s LeanPaws launch and the buzz around OKV-119 highlight two very different philosophies in tackling dog obesity. One leans toward nutraceutical support and owner-driven change; the other toward medicalised, appetite-suppressing interventions.

Underlying both is a recognition that dog obesity is not a trivial issue. The market is moving quickly to find scalable solutions, and investors see parallels with the booming human weight-loss drug sector.

Yet the ethical stakes are high. Dogs cannot choose their diets or exercise - their health outcomes rest entirely in human hands.

Between innovation and responsibility

The conversation around LeanPaws and OKV-119 also reflects a broader cultural question: how do we balance innovation with responsibility in pet care?

Supplements like LeanPaws may help shift owner habits by offering incremental support. But they are not substitutes for better feeding practices and more active lifestyles.

Implants, meanwhile, raise difficult questions about masking symptoms, altering natural behaviours, and treating dogs as passive recipients of pharmacological fixes.

“Honestly, there's no need for weight management supplements for pets," veterinarian Dr. Richter told Pet Food Industry.com. “There's no willpower issue with pets — it's all on us to choose the right food and feed the right amount. Education of pet owners is the key to managing obesity in pets.”

The road ahead

Dog obesity is not going away, and the pressure to innovate will only grow. LeanPaws could resonate with health-conscious owners looking for non-invasive ways to help their pets, while OKV-119 may find a niche among vets treating extreme cases.

But the larger battle is cultural: shifting owner mindsets toward prevention, responsibility, and the recognition that in pet health, there are no true shortcuts.

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