Before joining the AnimalBiome team, Kirsten Copren ran a biotech lab focused on cancer genomics at UCSF, trained hard-working teams of scientists, and way-back when was an organismal biologist studying insect genetics. We asked her about her background, her work at AnimalBiome, and of course her pets.

Though they can come with negative side effects, antibiotics can be a crucial tool for helping your dog or cat fight off dangerous infections. Fortunately, there are ways that you can support your pet, during and after antibiotic treatment, to help them and move towards improved health. We’ve gathered a few important tips that any pet parent can use to help support their furbaby.

Brushing your pet’s teeth may seem a bit over the top to many of us. But there is growing evidence that for dogs and cats, just as for humans, oral health is directly related to digestive health. In this article, we’ll cover the oral microbiome, the link between oral health and gut health, and how to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.

You may have seen news reports warning that a diet containing peas, lentils, or potatoes may increase your dog’s risk of a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We spoke with veterinarian Dr. Aubrey Tauer about this issue to learn what you can do to protect your dog from this deadly disease.

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) is a gastrointestinal disorder that can affect cats. While it’s reported to occur in only 2% of cats, it may be much more common than we think and a recent veterinary study suggests that more than 40% of all cats may be affected. Symptoms in cats are subtle and can be easily overlooked, making it hard to diagnose this silent killer.

To celebrate National Holistic Pet Day we offer some great (trustworthy) pet health tips to consider when thinking about the wellness of your fur-baby.

Fecal transplants can help dogs with chronic digestive problems recover their health, by helping them build an improved microbiome.

If your dog suffers from chronic digestive problems, the reason could be an immune response gone wrong. When, instead of correctly fighting off harmful invaders, the immune system reacts to the body’s own cells or to something in the diet, the result can be chronic inflammation, which can wreak havoc with your dog’s digestive system.

We live in an era of discovery, especially as it relates to the microbiome and how microbial diversity influences our world, our health--and even our pet’s health. AnimalBiome is pushing scientific exploration to new levels in the world of cat and dog health. Now, with the help of one of the internet’s most famous cats, AnimalBiome is working to uncover new bacterial species in the most unusual of places—cat poop.

As a loving pet parent you provide your cat or dog with food, water, exercise and lots of affection--but do you keep in mind the importance of a healthy gut as well? From digestion to mental health, your pet’s gut health affects almost every aspect of their health and happiness. Countless bacteria living in your pet’s gut, collectively called the gut microbiome, provide a variety of life-supporting functions that can help your pet live a healthy life.