Age and diet affect the faecal microbial composition in the domestic cat (Felis catus); a 5-year study

摘要

In humans, ageing is associated with changes in the microbiota with dramatic changes in composition in early life, relative stability in adult life, and then followed by substantial fluctuations in elderly life1. These changes may explain the increasein many chronic diseases in humans, including type-2 diabetes associated with ageing. Pets have increasing life expectancies and are exhibiting the same types of diseases. While there are a few studies investigating the impacts of diets on gastrointestinal microbiota in young cats2, the impacts of ageing in older cats has not been explored. This study examined the impact of diet and ageing on faecal microbiota in a cohort of 5 year old cats maintained on either a kibbled or canned diet since weaning.