The gut microbiome profoundly influences dog health, behavior, and wellbeing. Understanding and supporting microbiome health represents an emerging frontier in companion animal welfare.
Microbiome research in companion animals is revealing new dimensions of dog welfare. A disrupted microbiome contributes to gastrointestinal disease, immune dysfunction, and potentially behavioral changes including anxiety - all of which affect quality of life. The casual use of antibiotics for minor infections, without consideration of microbiome consequences, may cause welfare harm that extends long after the original infection has resolved. Conversely, dietary choices that support microbiome diversity contribute positively to long-term health and potentially behavioral wellbeing. This emerging field suggests that supporting microbiome health through appropriate diet, judicious antibiotic use, and stress management represents a meaningful welfare contribution that is often overlooked in conventional veterinary practice.