Emerging research reveals the gut microbiome of cats and dogs not only influences their digestive health but also plays a vital role in their overall wellbeing. This session will delve into the groundbreaking science behind how nourishing and supporting the gut microbiome can enhance pets' digestive health and beyond.
We will hear how the gut microbiome can affect other body systems, supporting skin, ears, lungs, and other microbiomes through nutrient supply and beneficial compounds - a relationship known as the gut-lung or gut-skin axis. Additionally, we will examine whether the gut microbiome can also influence mood, cognition, and behaviour and how the understanding and optimising of this gut-brain connection may offer new opportunities to improve both the mental and physical health of pets.
Chair: Jane Byrne, Senior Editor, FeedNavigator
Join us for an engaging Fireside Chat with Bill Bookout, president of the US-based National Animal Supplements Council (NASC), on the booming biotics category - prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics - in the companion animal industry.
Backed by emerging science highlighting their role in promoting GI health and bolstering immune systems, biotics are rapidly becoming essential in dog and cat nutrition.
Bill will share insights into the broader animal supplements market, the evolving importance of biotics, and the potential impact of upcoming US regulatory changes in 2025. Discover how these developments could reshape labeling claims and drive the future growth of biotics in dog and cat food in the US.
The gut microbiome plays a critical role in pets' immune and metabolic health, impacting key organs like the brain, heart, and kidneys. Imbalances, or dysbiosis, can lead to health issues, driven by changes in bacterial diversity, structure, or function.
In his keynote presentation, Prof. Jan Suchodolski will share expert recommendations for studying the pet gut microbiome.
While modern tools like gene sequencing provide valuable insights, a lack of standardization makes it challenging to compare results. The Dysbiosis Index (DI) simplifies this by summarizing key bacterial data into a single, actionable score for dogs, helping track changes or assess therapy responses.
Future innovations, such as measuring bacterial metabolites and identifying gut-lining bacteria, hold promise for improving diagnostics and advancing pet food development. This keynote will explore how the pet food industry can leverage microbiome research to create products that support gut health in cats and dogs.
Chair: Jane Byrne, Senior Editor, FeedNavigator