How the gut microbiota of dogs varies by weight and breed

Obesity is recognized as a multifactorial disorder whose prevalence in developed countries in recent decades has reached alarming levels in humans but also in domestic dogs. Excessive body weight is a major health problem in veterinary clinical practice; in fact, overweight (OW) and obese (OB) dogs have been shown to be at increased risk of developing hormonal disorders and diabetes, as well as orthopedic and cardiorespiratory diseases and even cancer. All this, in turn, can lead to reduced longevity and reduced quality of life. In addition to diet and exercise, obesity research has uncovered an intricate web of elements that contribute ...