Research into the gut microbiome of companion animals is revealing connections between gut health, immune function, mental state, and overall welfare, opening new opportunities for health optimisation.
The microbiome represents an emerging dimension of companion animal welfare with implications for physical health, immune function, and potentially mental state. Diet quality - particularly the balance of dietary fibre, protein sources, and food processing - has profound effects on microbiome composition. This gives owners a tangible lever for improving animal welfare through dietary choices that support healthy gut ecology. The welfare implications of antibiotic overuse extend beyond direct effects to long-term microbiome disruption that affects immunity and potentially wellbeing. Supporting gut health through high-quality, appropriately diverse diets and judicious antibiotic use represents a meaningful welfare investment.