The microorganisms of dogs and humans have more similar genes and responses to diet than we previously thought, according to a new study. The researchers evaluated the gut microbiome of two dog breeds and found that the gene content of the dog microbiome was very similar to the human microbiome, and more similar in humans than the pig or mouse microbiome. The results of this comparison suggest that we are more like man's best friend than we initially thought.
The researchers found that changes in the amount of protein and carbohydrates in the diet had a similar effect on the microbiota of dogs and humans, regardless of the dog's breed or sex. The microbiomes of overweight or obese dogs were found to respond better to a high-protein diet compared to microbiomes of lean dogs; this is consistent with the idea that healthy microbiomes are more resilient.
