Can probiotics be used to prevent or treat obesity in dogs?

Abstract

Canine obesity is a complex metabolic disorder that has become increasingly common worldwide, affecting not only animal health but also public health and welfare. Beyond excessive feeding and limited exercise, current research highlights the gut microbiota as a central regulator of metabolic balance. Alterations in its composition (such as an increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and loss of microbial diversity) disrupt nutrient absorption, lipid metabolism, and immune regulation, creating a pro-inflammatory environment that favors fat accumulation. Probiotics, defined as live microorganisms that promote health when administered in sufficient quantities, have shown potential to restore intestinal balance and improve host metabolism. They act by strengthening the intestinal barrier, modulating immunity, and producing short-chain fatty acids that regulate energy use. However, most commercial probiotics for dogs are adapted from human strains and not specifically developed for metabolic disorders. Emerging evidence suggests that canine-derived strains of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Enterococcus may help reduce adiposity and improve metabolic health. Designing next-generation, species-specific probiotics could complement dietary and behavioral interventions, offering a sustainable, microbiota-based strategy to prevent and manage obesity in dogs within the broader “One Health” perspective linking animal and human well-being.

https://doi.org/10.21929/abanicomicrobiano/2025.4

2025-04

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