INTESTINAL DYSBIOSIS IN DOGS – PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25110/arqvet.v29i1.2026-12769Keywords:
Dogs, Gut microbiome, Gastrointestinal health, Intestinal dysbiosis.Abstract
The intestinal microbiota of dogs and cats constitutes a complex ecosystem composed of bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms that play an essential role in maintaining host homeostasis. Beyond digestion and nutrient metabolism, the gut microbiota supports intestinal barrier integrity, immune modulation, synthesis of bioactive metabolites, and communication with distant organs through pathways such as the gut–brain axis. Alterations in the composition and function of this microbial community, known as dysbiosis, have been associated with several gastrointestinal and systemic disorders, including chronic enteropathies, obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, dermatological disorders, and behavioral alterations. This review summarizes current knowledge of the composition and functions of the intestinal microbiome in dogs and cats and discusses factors involved in dysbiosis, including diet, aging, primary diseases, and antimicrobial use. The article also reviews the main diagnostic tools currently available, emphasizing the fecal dysbiosis index and microbiome-related biomarkers, as well as therapeutic strategies to modulate the intestinal microbiota, including nutritional interventions, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation. Although significant advances have been made in understanding host–microbiome interactions, important gaps remain in standardizing diagnostic methods, identifying functional biomarkers, and evaluating the effectiveness of different therapeutic approaches.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Maria Anete Lallo, Felipe Saab Romano
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