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Review
. 2022 Apr 30;10(5):949.
doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10050949.

Domestic Environment and Gut Microbiota: Lessons from Pet Dogs

Juan Hernandez  1   2 , Soufien Rhimi  1 , Aicha Kriaa  1 , Vincent Mariaule  1 , Houda Boudaya  1 , Amandine Drut  1   2 , Amin Jablaoui  1 , Héla Mkaouar  1 , Amel Saidi  1 , Vincent Biourge  3 , Mohamed Ali Borgi  4 , Moez Rhimi  1 , Emmanuelle Maguin  1
Affiliations
Review

Domestic Environment and Gut Microbiota: Lessons from Pet Dogs

Juan Hernandez et al. Microorganisms. .

Abstract

Accumulating data show the involvement of intestinal microbiota in the development and maintenance of numerous diseases. Many environmental factors influence the composition and function of the gut microbiota. An animal model subjected to the same environmental constraints that will allow better characterization of the microbiota-host dialogue is awaited. The domestic dog has physiological, dietary and pathological characteristics similar to those of humans and shares the domestic environment and lifestyle of its owner. This review exposes how the domestication of dogs has brought them closer to humans based on their intrinsic and extrinsic similarities which were discerned through examining and comparing the current knowledge and data on the intestinal microbiota of humans and canines in the context of several spontaneous pathologies, including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity and diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: animal model; dogs; domestic environment; gut microbiota; holobiont; microbiome; pets.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Overview of the impact of the domestic environment on the gut microbiota and health of humans and pet dogs.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparative biogeography of the gut microbiota.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Humans and pet dogs show similar gut microbiota disturbances during IBD, characterized by a reduction in microbial diversity, a reduction in Firmicutes and an increase in Proteobacteria; a reduction in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs); an increase in primary bile acids (BAs); and a reduction in secondary BAs.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Bacterial features associated with human and canine IBD.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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