Pet obesity drugs face ethical scrutiny

A columnist questions the idea of giving weight loss drugs to pets and argues that responsible ownership and discipline are the real answers.

Weight management for pets prompts ethical debate

Pet obesity is rising, with about half of dogs and a significant share of cats overweight. The piece questions the use of human weight loss drugs like Wagovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic in animals and weighs the potential side effects against welfare concerns. The author shares personal experience with Mounjaro, noting weight loss over almost a year, but argues this does not justify veterinary use or medicalizing pets. She stresses that feeding should be managed carefully, portions measured, and dogs exercised regularly, drawing on memories of well-run routines with past pets. She suggests that even small dogs can keep trim through discipline and attentive care, and cautions against presenting fat jabs as an easy fix for pet obesity.

The column frames the issue as a test of responsibility and public appetite for medical fixes. It argues prevention through discipline and routine is the best path, while warning about the ethics and safety of implanting drugs in pets. The writer hints at broader questions about how society uses medicine to solve lifestyle problems, and she urges owners to focus on behavior, training, and proper care rather than pills for pets.

This editorial uses a personal, confrontational tone to challenge the trend of treating pet obesity with human medications. It foregrounds owner responsibility and discipline while probing the risks and welfare implications of pharmacological shortcuts for animals. It also highlights a broader cultural moment where wellness culture and consumer medicine intersect, raising questions about regulation, cost, and what constitutes appropriate care for animals. The piece suggests that the cost of convenience may be higher than the immediate benefits, especially if side effects or long term consequences are not fully understood.

Highlights

Prevention and care remain the best medicine for pets.