We share much of our lives with our pets - our living spaces, our cars, and even our bedrooms and kitchens. Studies have shown that pet ownership can increase the diversity of gut bacteria in humans, which is generally seen as a positive sign for gut health!
Families and dogs living together happily share similar gut and skin microbiomes with their owners, although the degree to which this occurs may vary depending on factors such as the type of contact they have, the living environment, and the dog's diet.
Studies have shown that dogs and their owners may share certain types of bacteria in their gut microbiomes. Additionally, research has found that living with a dog can increase the diversity of a person's skin microbiome, potentially due to increased contact with outdoor and environmental microbes brought in by the dog.
Children exposed to dogs and cats at an early age had increased levels of bacteria that protect against obesity, they are more likely to have a higher diversity score protecting them against allergies1.
Just like humans, a dog's gut health is very important for their overall health and well-being. A healthy gut is essential for proper digestion, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste.
Factors such as diet, stress, antibiotics, and other medications can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, leading to digestive problems and other health issues.
Improving a dog’s microbiome can be approached in the same way as we improve ours -
- A healthy and balanced diet based on raw, unprocessed food
- Reduce stress through positive interactions, regular exercise, mental stimulation, and a calm home environment.
- Avoid unnecessary antibiotics
- Clean water, preferably with reduced chemicals
- Probiotics and prebiotics (live microorganisms and fibre) to restore and maintain the balance of the gut microbiome.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. They can help to improve the balance of the gut microbiome and promote good digestive health in dogs.
Probiotics can be found in certain foods, such as yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables, but they are also available in additional supplements for dogs.
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References
1. Microbiome: Puppy power Sujata Gupta
