Dog's diet and its gut microbiome.

In a new paper, researchers report that the ratio of proteins and carbohydrates in a canine's daily diet have a significant influence on the balance of microbes in its gut. Researchers observed that dogs fed a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet had enriched microbial gene networks associated with weight loss in humans. The paper published in mBio, researchers from Nestle Purina PetCare Company report that the ratio of proteins and carbohydrates in a canine's daily diet have a significant influence on the balance of microbes in its gut. Among other findings, they observed that dogs fed a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet had decreases in the ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes bacteria, as well as enriched microbial gene networks associated with weight loss in humans. These microbial responses were more pronounced in obese and overweight dogs than in dogs of a healthy weight. The study will help identify new microbiology-inspired strategies for managing pet obesity, which is a growing problem.According to the most recent annual survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention ,more than half of pet dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. Altering dogs diet to be high in protein and soft on carbohydrates with a blend of fat and supplements will keep dogs in trim and healthy.