The gut microbiome of dogs and cats plays a significant role in physical and behavioral health, with disruption linked to chronic disease and behavioral problems.
Companion animal gut health and behavioral welfare are increasingly understood as interconnected through the gut-brain axis. Chronic dysbiosis from poor diet, stress, or antibiotic overuse contributes to both physical disease and behavioral problems including anxiety. Supporting gut health through appropriate diet and microbiome-conscious antibiotic use improves welfare across multiple dimensions.