The gut microbiome plays an increasingly recognized role in companion animal health and behavior, with welfare implications for diet, antibiotic use, and stress management.
The gut-brain axis connects microbiome health to behavioral and psychological welfare in ways that are increasingly well-documented in companion animals. Disrupted microbiomes from antibiotic use, highly processed diets, or chronic stress alter neurotransmitter production and inflammatory signaling that affect mood, anxiety, and pain sensitivity. A dog with a healthy diverse microbiome has better immune function, more stable mood, and lower inflammation baseline than a dog with a disrupted microbiome. Welfare-supporting microbiome management involves avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use, providing dietary fiber and fresh food components, minimizing stress, and supporting microbiome recovery after necessary antibiotic treatment. This is an emerging but rapidly developing area of companion animal welfare science with practical implications for everyday care decisions.