We’re advancing pet microbiome science
The microbiome is the diverse community of microbes - including bacteria, viruses and fungi - living in a pet's body. While many of these microbes live in the gut, they're also found on the skin and in the mouth.
The microbiome plays an important role in keeping pets healthy, by supporting digestion, nutrient absorption and modulating the immune system. An unbalanced microbiome can lead to health issues like diarrhoea, gum disease or skin problems.
At Waltham Petcare Science Institute, we're driving research into the microbiome of pets. Because the more we understand, the better equipped we are to:
- Measure pet health
- Tailor diets to optimise pet health
- Prevent or delay diseases through new diagnostics
- Predict the future health of pets
Our research highlights
Thanks to our research, we now know:
- Our research continues to shape scientific understanding of the pet microbiome. Here are some of the ways we're moving the field forward:
- We uncovered the most comprehensive view of the canine gut microbiome in research history
- We revealed that kittens' diet influences their gut microbiome, in what was the largest companion-animal microbiome study at the time
- We profiled variation in bacterial populations across different niches within the canine oral microbiome
- We developed the first-in depth map of the microbes that make up the canine skin microbiome
Thought leaders
Learn more from our experts about how pet microbiome research can help us better understand pets' health needs.
Podcasts
World-renowned expert in microbiome research, Dr. Jan Suchodolski, shares the latest research on the puppy microbiome and why the gut microbiome has a significant influence on both healthy and disease states:
Waltham Vice President Kay O'Donnell shares why the pet microbiome is one of our key research priorities:
Dr.Corrin Wallis talks about cats' and dogs' oral microbiome - the bacterial populations that form dental plaque and how these are associated with periodontal or gum disease:
Listen in to Dr. Patricia Harris, Director of Science for Mars Horse Care and Head of the Equine Studies Group at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, as she shares how horses' microbiome can influence their performance and overall health.
Blogs
What's the link between the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and your dog's mouth...?
Characterizing dogs' oral bacteria to better understand gum disease
Ever wondered about the diversity of bugs, or rather the bacteria, in your mouth? From early childhood we are taught that bacteria, feeding off the remnants of our last meal, are the cause of tooth decay and gum disease.
The good, the bad and the "bug"ly - why there's more life in your pet than meets the eye
We make seemingly endless attempts to improve or maintain our health, with various dietary regimes and exercise plans being promoted as the best way to keep the body in optimum condition.
