reanalysis of the KittyBiome 16S V4 dataset (in collaboration with AnimalBiome)

Scientific Abstract
Domestic cats (Felis catus) are understudied regarding how commercial diets impact their gut microbiomes. Here, we reanalyzed the 16S rRNA gene (V4) amplicon sequencing Kittybiome dataset, using new tools and techniques. Results demonstrated significant microbial composition differences between cats eating commercial dry kibble diets and those eating canned wet food. Kibble-fed cats showed enriched Prevotella, Bifidobacterium, and Megamonas amplicon sequencing variants (ASVs), linked to carbohydrate metabolism and metabolic disease.

Non-Academic Summary
Just like humans, cats have a unique community of bacteria living in their guts. Using new advanced techniques, we re-analyzed a previous dataset and found that the types of gut bacteria present in the feces of healthy cats was strongly influenced by whether they ate dry food or canned wet food. Cats who ate mostly dry food had more bacteria that are good at breaking down carbohydrates and fiber. These bacteria are also associated with metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. This discovery suggests that the type of food we feed our cats can impact not only their gut health but also their overall health. By understanding the connection between diet, gut bacteria, and health we can start making diets that improve long term feline health. Additional studies and data are needed to confirm these findings.

Original KittyBiome paper
This paper: npj Veterinary Science (2025)

KittyBiome dataset used in this paper: NCBI PRJNA1200722