Age-related differences in the gut microbiota and plasma metabolome in dogs: a prospective cross-sectional study under standardized dietary conditions

ABSTRACT: Background: Aging is associated with progressive metabolic and physiological changes that influence health span in humans and may similarly impact dogs. This study aimed to characterize in the gut microbiota and their associations with host metabolism. Client-owned young adult (2-5 years, > 20 kg, n = 50) and senior (≥ 8 years, > 20 kg, n = 56) dogs were prospectively enrolled and fed a standardized diet for four weeks. Results: Multivariate analyses identified distinct age-related metabolic and microbial signatures, likely linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and alterations in protein metabolism. Senior dogs exhibited lower plasma concentrations of glycine, tyrosine, and methionine, together with higher variability of plasma succinic acid concentrations. Compared with young adult dogs, senior dogs showed higher relative abundances of Collinsella and Streptococcus, lower relative abundances of Agathobacter, which was positively correlated with plasma vitamin E status, and higher fecal isovalerate concentrations. Conclusions: These findings highlight coordinated age-related changes in host metabolism and gut microbiota and underscore the potential of integrated multi-omics approaches to identify biological markers and nutritional targets relevant to canine aging.

INSTRUMENT(S): Gas Chromatography MS - negative - medium-polarity

PROVIDER: MTBLS14861 | MetaboLights | 2026-06-26

REPOSITORIES: MetaboLights