Understanding the diversity and roles of the canine gut microbiome

The canine gut microbiome plays a vital role in overall health and well-being by regulating various physiological functions, including digestion, immune responses, energy metabolism, and even behavior and temperament. As such, a comprehensive understanding of the diversity and functional roles of the canine gut microbiome is crucial for maintaining optimal health and well-being. In healthy dogs, the gut microbiome typically consists of a diverse array of bacterial phyla, including Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Fusobacteria, and Proteobacteria. These microbial communities form a complex ecosystem that interacts with the host to support canine health and homeostasis. A well-balanced microbiome, known as eubiosis, represents an optimized microbial composition that enhances host health and metabolic functions. Eubiosis is shaped by interactions between host physiology and environmental factors. However, dysbiosis, a disruption of eubiosis, can contribute to various health issues, such as weight fluctuations, metabolic disorders, and behavioral changes. Maintaining eubiosis in the canine gut microbiome requires customized management strategies that consider both physiological traits and environmental influences. In this review, we explored the structure and function of the canine gut microbiome, with particular emphasis on its role in health and the key factors that influence and support its maintenance.