The gut microbiome of cats and dogs plays a fundamental role in immune function, behaviour, and overall health. Disruption through inappropriate diet, antibiotic overuse, or stress has significant welfare implications that are increasingly well understood.
Gut health has emerged as a central pillar of companion animal welfare in recent years, with growing evidence that the microbiome influences not just digestion but immune function, mood, and behaviour. A dog or cat with a disrupted gut microbiome may experience chronic digestive discomfort, increased infection susceptibility, and behavioural changes linked to gut-brain axis signalling. Antibiotic overuse — prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics for conditions that could be managed more conservatively — causes collateral microbiome damage that can persist for months. Dietary choices that support microbial diversity, judicious antibiotic use with follow-up microbiome support, and stress reduction all contribute to gut health and by extension to overall welfare. Treating gut health as a welfare issue rather than purely a digestive management question changes the clinical approach meaningfully.