It turns out that sharing your home with a dog or cat can mean much more than just companionship. New research suggests that people and their pets may also share parts of their gut microbiome – the trillions of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms that play important roles in everything from digestion and immunity to brain function and overall well-being. As scientists learn more about this fascinating connection, the pet microbiome ecosystem is quickly becoming one of the most exciting areas in human and veterinary health.
As World Microbiome Day on June 27 shines a spotlight on this rapidly evolving field of science, experts say we are just beginning to understand the profound influence of these microscopic communities on the health of people and their pets.
People synchronize microbiomes with their pets
“There is actual research on people who have pets at home and how their gut microbiomes sync with those of their pets,” says Catherine Day, registered dietitian and author. “We still have so much to learn about the microbiome, but what we are discovering is incredibly exciting. If you are a healthy person, your pet is more likely to be healthy, and when your pet is healthy, that often reflects a healthy shared environment. It’s an incredible relationship.”
While researchers still aren’t figuring out exactly how this connection works, it’s already clear that the microbiome goes far beyond digestive health. Scientists now recognize it as a key factor in immune function, metabolism and the gut-brain connection, making it one of the most exciting areas of health research today.
Research also shows how strongly the microbiome responds to everyday lifestyle choices. Diet, exercise, sleep and stress all influence the balance of microbes in the body, while fiber-rich foods help nourish the beneficial bacteria that support a healthy microbiome.
“There is no miracle food or miracle supplement that will cure everything,” says Day. “Caring for the microbiome is about taking a holistic approach. It’s about eating a diverse range of fiber-rich foods, moving your body, managing stress and sleeping well.”
Why your pet’s health is important to your health
While much of the discussion surrounding the microbiome focuses on human health, veterinary nutritionists are discovering many of the same principles in pets.
Dr. Karien Brink, a veterinarian at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, says advances in microbiome science are fundamentally changing the way researchers think about pets’ lifelong health. “Everything we do is focused on extending and strengthening the lives of pets while strengthening the bonds between pets and the people who love them,” says Brink.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition is a partner in the One Health Microbiome Resource (OHMR), a collaboration with researchers at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health that is building one of the world’s most comprehensive reference resources for human and pet microbiomes. By bringing together thousands of microbiome samples, research tools and scientific data, the initiative aims to accelerate understanding of how diet, disease and the environment influence the health of pets and people.
“What fascinates me most is that families and their pets actually share aspects of their microbiome,” explains Brink. “We need to take care of our own microbiome, but we also need to take care of our pets’ microbiome because it affects the entire household.”
Brink says science is challenging the long-held assumption that nutrition is just about providing energy. “We now understand that the microbiome influences much more than just digestive health,” she says. “It plays an important role in immune health and we are also learning more about the gut-brain connection in pets. Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools we have to support lifelong wellness.”
What that means
For both experts, World Microbiome Day is a reminder that some of the biggest breakthroughs in health start with the smallest organisms.
“The microbiome is one of the most exciting areas of health research today,” says Day. “Every year we learn more about how these tiny organisms affect our health, often in ways we could never have imagined.”
As research continues to develop, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: caring for the invisible ecosystem within can be one of the most effective ways to support the long-term health of you and your pet.
