From Ozempic to 'Meow-zempic': Cats Get Their Own Weight-Loss Shot

The weight-loss craze has officially reached the pet world. Chinese pharmaceutical company Huadong Medicine has announced that a new slimming drug designed specifically for overweight cats has cleared its first major regulatory hurdle, The Paper has reported.

The drug, developed by Huadong’s wholly owned subsidiary Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical, was formally accepted for review by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on December 26, 2025. If approved, it would be used to help adult obese cats safely manage their weight.

The injectable medicine is given once a week and works by helping cats feel full and regulate their metabolism — similar to how popular human weight-loss drugs work.

In trials, cats lost an average of about 9 percent of their body weight in just six weeks, and nearly three-quarters of them lost more than 5 percent. Even better news for cat owners: the cats tolerated the treatment well, with no serious side effects reported, according to the report.

China’s pet population has surged in recent years, growing from about 310 million animals in 2020 to more than 430 million in 2024. Urban pet cats alone now number over 71 million. With more treats and less exercise, waistlines have expanded too — more than 28 percent of pet cats are now considered overweight, said the report.

Extra weight isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Obese cats face higher risks of diabetes, heart disease, breathing problems and joint pain. While diet control and exercise are still the first steps, they don’t always work, especially for indoor cats with strong opinions about food.

A first of its kind

Huadong Medicine says there is currently no approved drug anywhere in the world specifically aimed at helping obese cats lose weight, making this treatment a potential global first. The company believes it could open up an entirely new market in pet healthcare.

The drug is still under review, but Huadong Medicine says it will push ahead with the approval process in China. If successful, chubby cats everywhere may soon have a new option, alongside smaller food bowls and laser-pointer workouts, to help them slim down.

For now, the message is clear: The era of pet “diet shots” may be just beginning.