Analysis on the Effects of Dog Ownership on the Gut Microbiota of their Owners

Abstract

Pet ownership is an environmental exposure that may influence human health. This study aimed to explore the effects of dog ownership on gut microbial diversity utilizing data from the American Gut Project. A total of 2,239 samples were analyzed, 672 that owned a dog compared to 1567 that did not. Diversity metrics produced data plots that indicated no major differences in gut microbiota diversity or richness between both study groups. Taxonomic compositions portrayed the main phyla and families, besides a decrease in gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonadaceae, in the dog group. This project demonstrated a possible decrease in significance of dog ownership on the owners' microbiome.