Obesity is one of the most common and debilitating chronic diseases in dogs and cats today. You’d think that means we’re pretty good at spotting it, talking about it, and treating it. However, a new study conducted at the Ontario Veterinary College suggests that veterinary professionals may not be as objective as we think when it comes to pet obesity, and our unconscious biases might be part of the reason we’re not doing a better job with our patients and clients.

“The Year of Ozempic” proclaimed the December 2023 edition of The New Yorker.

That same month, the journal Science declared glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) weight loss drugs its “Breakthrough of the Year,” beating out commendable contenders such as new malaria and Alzheimer’s treatments, innovative climate change research on natural carbon pumps and artificial intelligence (AI) in improving weather forecasting. Apparently, Science viewed treating obesity as a bigger story than dementia and global warming.

With all the success of human obesity medications, could pet weight loss drugs be far behind?