The gut microbiome plays a significant role in companion animal health and behavior, with welfare implications for how we feed and manage our animals.
The gut-brain axis means that companion animal microbiome health directly affects behavioral and psychological welfare. Animals with disrupted microbiomes from antibiotics, dietary changes, or stress show increased anxiety, gastrointestinal distress, and immune problems. The implications for welfare are significant: routine antibiotic use for minor conditions causes lasting microbiome disruption that affects quality of life beyond the immediate illness. Dietary stability, appropriate fiber, and minimizing unnecessary antibiotic use all support microbiome health and through it, overall animal welfare.