Is GLP-1 Weight-Loss & Diabetes Medications Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) are mildly toxic to both cats and dogs — mainly vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Chewed injection pens add a foreign-body risk.
Usually minor, but watch for symptoms.
Usually minor, but watch for symptoms.
In an emergency, do not wait.
Medical disclaimer: This tool is for general information only and isnot a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Toxicity depends on the amount, your pet’s size, and health history. If your pet may have ingested something harmful, contact your veterinarian or a poison control hotline ((888) 426-4435 / (855) 764-7661) immediately — do not wait for symptoms to appear.
What is GLP-1 Weight-Loss & Diabetes Medications?
GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) are mildly toxic to both cats and dogs — mainly vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Chewed injection pens add a foreign-body risk.
Also known as: semaglutide, ozempic, wegovy, rybelsus, tirzepatide, mounjaro, zepbound, liraglutide, victoza, saxenda, glp-1, weight loss injection.
Symptoms to Watch For
🐕 In Dogs
- Vomiting and diarrhea within hours to a day
- Lethargy and reduced appetite
- Drooling or nausea
- Serious effects are uncommon, but prolonged vomiting risks dehydration
🐈 In Cats
- Vomiting, drooling, and reduced appetite
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea in some cases
- Serious effects are uncommon with small exposures
What to Do If Ingested
- Remove any remaining tablets, pens, or needles from reach.
- Offer water and withhold food for a few hours if the stomach is upset.
- Watch for repeated vomiting over the next 24 hours.
- Call a vet if vomiting persists, your pet seems weak, or a pen was chewed.
Steps apply to both cats and dogs. When in doubt, call a vet or poison hotline before acting. Have a cat? Run the Pet Poison Triage Wizard for cat-specific steps.
When to Call the Vet Immediately
Call your veterinarian or a poison control hotline right away if you notice any of these:
- A whole bottle of tablets or an injection pen was eaten
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than a day
- Extreme lethargy, wobbliness, or collapse
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous is it if my dog eats my Ozempic pen?
The medication itself is usually low risk — expect nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The bigger problems are physical: the plastic pen casing can cause mouth injuries or an intestinal obstruction if swallowed in pieces, and the tiny needle can puncture the gut. If a pen was chewed or swallowed whole, call a vet for imaging and monitoring advice.
Can GLP-1 medications cause low blood sugar in pets?
On their own, rarely — GLP-1 drugs lower blood sugar mainly when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas, which they work alongside in some households. If your pet also got into diabetes tablets (such as glipizide) or a diabetic pet in the house is on insulin, watch harder for wobbliness, trembling, and weakness, and call a vet — that combination is genuinely dangerous.
These medications are everywhere now. How do I store them safely?
Keep pens and tablets in a closed drawer or a high cabinet — never in a purse, gym bag, or on the nightstand, all common chew targets. Refrigerated pens are fine for storage, but the smell of the carrying case and the novelty of dropped pens draw pets in. Sharps and used pens belong in a sealed disposal container out of reach.
Sources
This entry is reviewed against the following authoritative veterinary sources.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-16