Emerging research on the companion animal gut microbiome is revealing connections between diet, gut health, and welfare outcomes including behaviour, immune function, and chronic disease.
Companion animal dietary welfare extends beyond calories and macronutrients to the microbiome that mediates digestion, immunity, and brain function. A dog with a disrupted gut microbiome may experience chronic low-grade inflammation, altered behaviour, and impaired immune responses -- welfare impacts that are invisible to owners attributing behaviour to training or breed. The research is early-stage but directionally consistent: dietary diversity, whole food ingredients, and minimal antibiotic use support microbiome health and the welfare outcomes it influences. This emerging field is adding a new dimension to companion animal dietary advice that veterinary nutrition is beginning to integrate.