Obesity in dogs is a growing health concern, often linked to metabolic and inflammatory disorders. To explore underlying biological changes, Forster et al. (2018) analyzed fecal microbiome composition, metabolome profiles, and serum biochemistry in 66 clinically healthy adult dogs categorized as normal weight (NW), overweight (OW), or obese (OB).
The study revealed that NW dogs had higher gut microbial richness compared with OB dogs. Specifically, NW dogs showed higher levels of Eubacterium and lower levels of Bifidobacteriaceae compared with obese counterparts. These microbial shifts suggest reduced microbial diversity and altered composition as body weight increases.
Metabolome analysis identified hundreds of metabolites that differed significantly across weight groups: 185 plasma metabolites, 37 fecal metabolites, and 45 urine metabolites. Notably, obese and overweight dogs exhibited altered levels of plasma phospholipids and fecal volatile fatty acids, compounds closely tied to energy metabolism and gut health.
Although serum biochemistry differences were limited, the combined changes in gut microbiota and metabolic profiles suggest that subtle biological alterations occur before overt disease develops. These findings highlight the potential of microbiome and metabolite markers to serve as early indicators of obesity-related health risks in dogs, providing a foundation for preventive strategies.
Source: Forster, G., Stockman, J., Noyes, N., Heuberger, A., Broeckling, C., Bantle, C., & Ryan, E. (2018). A Comparative Study of Serum Biochemistry, Metabolome and Microbiome Parameters of Clinically Healthy, Normal Weight, Overweight, and Obese Companion Dogs. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 33, 126–135.
