Quentin Garrigues and colleagues (2022) reviewed current knowledge on the early development of the gut microbiota in puppies. The gastrointestinal microbiome plays a crucial role in digestion, immune stimulation, and production of vital metabolites, directly impacting health and development.
The review emphasizes that maternal factors, environmental exposures, nutrition, and medications can alter the trajectory of microbiota development. Some bacteria, primarily anaerobic species, progressively colonize the gut before dogs reach adulthood, shaping resilience against metabolic disorders and gastrointestinal diseases.
Disturbances during this critical window of microbiota establishment can predispose puppies to conditions such as acute diarrhea or inflammatory bowel disease. While extensive research has been done in children, knowledge about these processes in puppies remains limited, underscoring the need for further investigation.
Understanding and supporting the early evolution of the canine gut microbiome is therefore essential for promoting short- and long-term health, immunity, and well-being in companion dogs.
Source: Garrigues, Q., Apper, E., Chastant, S., & Mila, H. (2022). Gut microbiota development in the growing dog: A dynamic process influenced by maternal, environmental and host factors. Journal: Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Volume 9. Publication Date: 2022-09-02. Authors: Quentin Garrigues, E. Apper, Sylvie Chastant, Hélène Mila. References: 145. Citations: 30.
