When we think about protecting our pets’ health, we might picture giving them a safe place to live, regular exercise, and taking them to the vet regularly. But, while all those things are important, did you know that one of the most powerful drivers of your dog or cat’s wellbeing is the microscopic world inside their gut?
That’s the microbiome: an ecosystem of microbes that acts like a master control system for digestion, immunity, mood, and so much more.
What is the microbiome?
Every pet carries a bustling community of trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes in their digestive tract, or gut. This is collectively known as the microbiome.
Far from being passive passengers, these organisms influence digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and the nervous system and can even affect an animal’s anxiety level. In fact, scientists increasingly view the microbiome as a functional organ in its own right.
The whole body influence of the microbiome
The gut is connected to different systems of the body through various networks, or axes. Each axis influences your pet’s health in different ways, so let’s take a look at them one by one.
1. The Gut-Brain Axis
The gut and brain are in constant communication through a pathway known as the gut-brain axis. This network uses hormones, immune signals, and even direct nerve connections (like the vagus nerve) to relay messages between the gut and the brain. Microbes produce neuroactive compounds — including serotonin and GABA — that help regulate mood, stress responses, and anxiety.
All of which means that a balanced gut microbiome may help your pet stay calmer, clearer-headed, and more emotionally grounded. And with anxiety issues becoming increasingly common in both dogs and cats, that’s an amazing benefit for both them and their pet parents.
2. The Gut-Lung Axis
Next up we have the connection between your pet’s gut and their lungs. These two critical systems are connected by both Immune signals and metabolites (substances created during or needed for metabolism).
This connection doesn’t just affect a pet’s respiratory health. Metabolites produced in the gut interact with immune cells that circulate throughout the body, which can influence inflammatory responses. This in turn can either weaken or strengthen the immune system depending on the state of their microbiome.
3. The Gut-Liver Axis
Metabolites also travel through the portal vein to the liver. The liver plays a critical role in toxin removal, regulating metabolism, processing bile acid and immune signaling. Problems with the microbiome and the metabolites it produces can negatively impact the liver’s functions and thus influence your pet’s overall health.
Signs your pet’s microbiome may be out of balance
When pet parents think about gut health for dogs or cats, they may think of symptoms like frequent gas or diarrhea, and they’re not wrong. However, they’re not entirely right either.
Because the microbiome influences so many systems in the body, imbalances don’t always show up as obvious digestive issues. Here are some other common signs that a dog’s or cat’s microbiome may be out of balance:
- chronic itching or skin allergies
- excessive paw licking or chewing
- recurring ear infections
- runny or irritated eyes
- dull, dry, or brittle coat
- changes in appetite or energy levels
- increased anxiety, restlessness, or other behavioral changes
- These symptoms are often treated individually without addressing the one underlying contributor that could be triggering them all: gut health.
This is why many pet parents are surprised to learn that environmental allergies, like grass or pollen sensitivities, may be influenced by diet and the microbiome. When the gut is imbalanced, the immune system can become overreactive, making pets more sensitive to triggers they encounter every day.
Supporting gut health for dogs and cats through nutrition doesn’t replace veterinary care, but it can be an important piece of solving the puzzle–especially for pets with chronic or recurring issues.
Addressing these signs often starts not with another medication, but with improving the foundation of health: the gut microbiome.
How you can support gut health for dogs and cats
If your pet is showing signs of imbalance (or you want to prevent problems before they start), here’s how you can nurture your dog’s or cat’s gut health:
Feed them a high-quality balanced diet
Food isn’t just fuel. It literally shapes the microbial world that lives inside your pet.
Different components within your pet’s food feed different microbes. In other words, what your dog or cat eats determines which microbes thrive and which struggle.
Diets rich in whole, nutrient-dense ingredients with a proper balance of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates support microbial diversity and resilience. On the opposite side of the spectrum, ultra-processed foods can cause less-beneficial microbes to flourish and take control.
A balanced and nutritionally complete diet made from whole foods encourages beneficial microbes that:
- produce nutrients and vitamins
- strengthen your pet’s gut lining
- support healthy immune responses
- reduce inflammatory signals
The exact details of that diet depend on what animal you have, of course. While both cats and dogs eat meat, cats are obligate carnivores. This means cats must eat meat to survive, whereas dogs can get some of their nutrients from non-meat sources.
One way to ensure your pet’s food is balanced and made from whole foods is to make it yourself. While this may seem daunting at first, it’s easier than you think - and can even be cheaper, too! If you want to try the homemade route, be sure to get a recipe that is created by an expert in pet nutrition (a veterinary nutritionist) and use a vitamin premix to make it complete and balanced.
If you’re currently feeding your pet a more processed diet and are interested in making a change, we have good news for you. Studies have shown that changes in diet can undo the negative effects of ultra processed foods and shift your pet’s microbiome dramatically.
Watch for more info from a veterinarian about how diet influences the microbiome and whole-body health.
Consider probiotic support
Probiotics are live beneficial microorganisms that can support gut health. Dog probiotics and cat probiotics may help maintain microbial balance, and can be especially helpful for animals experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea or gas.
Some veterinarians will recommend probiotics to help animals suffering from allergies. They also may be recommended to help the gut during or after antibiotic use.
If you’re considering a probiotic supplement for your pet, make sure that they come from a trustworthy source and only contain probiotics that are safe for your cat or dog.
As with all supplements, discuss them with your veterinarian before you start using them.
Add some prebiotic fiber
While probiotics work by adding beneficial bacteria to your dog’s or cat’s gut, prebiotic fiber works by feeding beneficial bacteria that are already there.
Prebiotic fiber comes from whole foods like pumpkin and certain vegetables, and you also can purchase chews made specifically for cats or dogs.
Prebiotic fiber is a dietary supplement as well, so talk with your veterinarian about the type of prebiotic fiber as well as the amount that may be appropriate for your pet.
Transition slowly
A sure fire way to upset your pet’s digestive system is to make rapid changes in their diet - even when the change is a positive one.
Once you have your new dietary plan in place, gradually shift from the old diet to the new diet over the course of 7–10 days. This will help your pet’s microbiome adapt without stress and with minimal gut upset.
Conclusion
Healing and supporting your cat’s or dog’s microbiome isn’t a quick “one and done.” It’s a lifelong commitment to nourishing your whole pet. By prioritizing gut health for dogs and cats, you’re giving your furry friends a solid foundation for lifelong health and happiness.