The gut microbiome of companion animals increasingly recognised as a welfare determinant influencing immunity, mood, and disease resilience, with dietary and environmental influences.
Microbiome welfare is a frontier area where science is rapidly advancing: the gut-brain axis means that microbiome disturbance from diet or antibiotics has mood and behaviour consequences beyond physical health. Dogs with disrupted microbiomes show increased anxiety responses and altered social behaviour. The welfare implications of routine antibiotic use without microbiome restoration support are increasingly recognised. Dietary quality that supports microbiome health, and targeted probiotic support after antibiotic courses, are welfare interventions with growing evidence bases.