Most of America’s cats and dogs — including mine — are overweight. Do they need Ozempic? | Opinion

Like 59% of the dogs in the United States, my border collie, Archie, is overweight. And like 59% of dog owners in the United States, I feel extremely guilty about that.

While he is otherwise healthy, Archie is routinely fat shamed every time we visit the vet. It’s done in a gentle way, but stings nonetheless.

During our last checkup, the vet suggested I bring Archie by the office for monthly weigh-ins. That I consider switching him to a prescription weight-loss diet. That instead of doggy treats, I offer him green beans.

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It’s all good advice — which we’ve tried before, with varying degrees of success. For instance, Archie wants nothing to do with green beans.

After the holidays, we will start on yet another strict, low-cal diet, though deep down, I am not optimistic. Please do not judge me, Serious Dog People — or if you do, kindly keep your sermonizing to yourself — but I am an indulgent dog mom.

I find it almost impossible to deny Archie a couple of bites of my scrambled eggs in the morning or a little slice of cheese when I’m fixing dinner, and I never refuse the Milk-Bones the folks at our favorite Mexican restaurant offer at the drive-through window.

I base these dietary decisions on a quality-versus-quantity of life metric. I may be shaving months (or, let’s face it, maybe even years) off my dog’s life — which I will deeply regret when he nears what is euphemistically called the Rainbow Bridge — but he’s getting a lot more enjoyment while he’s here on Earth. (I apply that same philosophy to my own life, which is why I always pick French fries over salad.)

‘People will spend close to anything on their animal’

But what if dogs could live a long and healthy life without having to sacrifice the occasional Starbucks Puppuccino?

It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds. After all, pets have all sorts of other stuff that was once considered strictly for humans, including designer sunglasses, DNA tests, fur-care products, toys that boost their IQs, TV shows made just for them and CBD treats to calm their nerves.

As it turns out, weight-loss drugs for dogs and cats are already in the development stage. (That’s good, because I have a cat, Cornelius, who is also putting on weight.)

“Pet weight loss drugs are inevitable and will likely enter our formularies by the time the next wave of veterinary students graduate,” writes veterinary Dr. Ernie Ward, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.

Better Choice, a Florida-based company that’s “committed to deliver better nutrition and wellness choices to help furry family members,” is among the organizations working on such products.

It hopes to develop “treats and toppers” that will do for dogs and cats what drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic are doing for humans, and even though the price is expected to be high, that’s not seen as a barrier.

“People will spend pretty close to anything on their animal,” Better Choice Chairman Michael Young told Bloomberg News.

Dr. Ward isn’t so optimistic.

He points out that, without insurance coverage, weight-loss drugs for people cost between $900 and $1,350 per month.

“That’s prohibitively expensive in the veterinary market, where drugs costing even a couple hundred dollars a month are out of reach for many pet owners,” Ward writes.

In other words, the drugs will almost certainly be available — but many of us may have a take out a second mortgage to take advantage of them.

Not to get preachy, but ....

Then there are possible side effects to consider.

Now might be a good time to mention that, in 2007, the FDA approved a diet drug for dogs called Slentrol, but after reports of side effects that included vomiting and diarrhea, it was taken off the market.

That is not meant to imply that next-gen animal diet drugs will be unsafe, only that it would be wise to proceed with caution.

On top that, there’s the moral dilemma.

Sure, pets are part of the family, but should we (and by “we” I really mean “I”) be overfeeding them to the point that we need to put them on diet drugs, when there are lots of people who don’t have nearly enough to eat? (Apologies for going all preachy on you.)

Luckily, we don’t have to make a decision quite yet, since the drugs aren’t available.

That gives me time to try that prescription-diet dog food (again).

But don’t worry, Archie, I won’t force feed you any green beans. And I’ll still slip you a bite of scrambled eggs once in a while.