Pets, just like people, have trillions of tiny organisms living in their guts. These include bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Together, they form what is called the "gut microbiome" (pronounced /my-kroh-bye-ohm/). This community of microorganisms plays a big role in keeping your pet healthy. They help break down food, protect against disease, and even support a shiny, healthy coat.

When you send in your pet’s sample, the AnimalBiome team processes it by extracting DNA from the bacteria inside. A sample the size of a pea contains about one billion bacterial cells!

AnimalBiome uses next-generation sequencing and advanced software to identify the bacteria living in your pet’s gut. Each type of bacteria has a unique DNA marker, called the 16S rRNA gene, that acts like a fingerprint.

Unlike basic tests that read only part of this gene, AnimalBiome uses advanced technology to create a detailed report, identifying both the broad groups and the exact types of bacteria living in your pet’s microbiome.