Brits Say “No” to Fat Jabs for Pets

Why Pet Owners Are Rejecting Weight Loss Treatments and What They Should Do Instead

As conversations around Ozempic-style weight-loss treatments for animals grow, new research from Petgevity reveals that the UK public is far from ready to embrace GLP-1 weight-loss treatments for pets.

While some media outlets suggest that “Ozempic for dogs” and “fat jabs for cats” could be approved as early as 2027, British pet owners are showing concerns. These worries highlight deeper issues around pet obesity and the impact of health conditions on quality of life and pre-existing conditions.

What is the GLP-1 weight-loss treatment for pets?

GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) is a natural hormone that helps control appetite and blood sugar. GLP-1 treatments work by prompting weight loss through slowing digestion, increasing insulin and reducing hunger. After proving highly effective in humans, similar treatments are now being explored for use in overweight pets.

As trials continue, the full range of side effects is still being studied, however scientists are optimistic treatments could be approved to help manage diabetes and weight management in the not too distant future.

Most Brits would never use artificial weight-loss treatments on their pets

According to our study:

• 58% of UK pet owners say they would never use GLP-1 treatments on their pets.
• 22% say they would consider them only as a last resort.
• Just 11% would use them before trying natural weight-loss methods.

Only 8% believe the development is a good idea, while a majority (54%) feel owners should focus on lifestyle changes instead of artificial shortcuts.

Despite this scepticism, 24% believe that these injections will become common by 2030, especially as concerns about obesity in animals and weight-related health problems continue to rise.

Pet owners believe Britain’s pets are getting heavier

Over half of those surveyed (55%) think the UK’s pets are becoming more overweight, and its impact is significant, particularly in older pets with pre-existing medical conditions.

Emma Chandley BVetMed PGcertSAS MRCVS shared the key potential issues with pets being overweight:

• Reduced mobility and joint strain, contributing to arthritis and chronic pain.
• Higher likelihood of serious health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory problems, and urinary issues.
• Greater risk of surgical and anaesthetic complications, making procedures more dangerous.
• Lower energy levels, limiting play, exercise, and normal interaction.
• Shortened life expectancy, reducing the time you have with your pet.

Many pet owners are overfeeding pets without realising

While many owners don’t mean to contribute to weight gain, the findings reveal:

• Treats are the second most common form of positive reinforcement.
• 25% share human food with their pet at least four times a week.
• 58% admit to at least occasionally over-treating, giving more than 10% of daily calories in treats.

This builds a dangerous cycle of emotional feeding — something particularly harmful for animals that have no control over their calorie intake.

Owners also often misunderstand healthy ranges: searches for “how much should a cat weigh”, “average cat weight”, and “healthy cat weight” are consistently high, suggesting confusion around what a healthy body size actually looks like.

Beat the jab: Expert backed, natural ways to manage pet weight

Petgevity have teamed up with TV expert and pet nutritionist Chloé Fuller to share practical, natural ways to manage pet’s weight today.

• Rethink treats, don’t remove them — We bond with our pets over food, so we would never suggest cutting out the treats entirely. Instead, be mindful of which treats. Avoid calorie-heavy options like cheese or sausages. Instead, mix blueberries, carrots, and weight-loss kibble with a few smelly treats so everything smells enticing. For cats, skip human scraps and use low-calorie lick treats (about 9 kcal each).
• Get familiar with calories — Weight loss starts with knowing calories in versus needs. Use online pet calorie calculators for accurate targets based on age, breed, and activity. Check food packaging for kcal per kg, then calculate daily portions. If your pet is obese, it’s quite likely you’re accidentally overfeeding. By cutting your pets food down, not only are you going to improve their health, you’re going to save money too!
• Do regular weigh ins to track progress — Most vets and pet stores have scales for dogs. When weighing cats, weigh them in carriers and subtract carrier weight. To reduce stress, invest in baby scales for small pets. Monitoring weight helps spot issues early and keeps your pet’s health on track.
• Consider switching food types — Reducing quantity isn’t always best — switching food type matters. For example, wet food is often lower in calories, so pets can eat more without excess calories. There are also specially formulated weight loss diets for pets which can be a great option, which are typically higher in protein, lower in fat with extra fibre content to keep your pet fuller for longer, while ensuring all nutritional needs are met.
• Have set and regular meal times — Leaving food down all day makes it almost impossible to regulate intake and judge just how much your pet is consuming. Instead, feed your pet 3–4 smaller meals throughout the day to keep them satiated and stabilise blood sugar peaks, reducing begging behaviour. Scheduled feeding also helps monitor habits and spot health changes early.

Introducing the Petgevity Treat Tracker

Brits are rightfully cautious about turning immediately to new weight loss treatments. While science evolves, the safest, most effective solution remains natural. This is not about your pet’s appearance, but longevity, mobility and avoiding serious conditions.

To help families, especially multi-pet households, avoid “double treating” and log intake, Petgevity has created a free Treat Tracker:

Download your Cat Treat Tracker
Download your Dog Treat Tracker

This comes as Petgevity remains committed to helping UK owners keep their pets healthy, offering pet insurance for pre-existing conditions and our Lifetime Plus policy.