A new lease of life: How faecal microbiota transplantation is helping dogs with chronic gut problems
Monday, December 1, 2025
For many dogs with long-term gut issues, finding a treatment that works can feel like an endless struggle. A new study has shown that faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could offer fresh hope, even for dogs that have not responded to traditional diets or medicines.
FMT works by transferring healthy gut bacteria from a donor dog to a sick dog, helping to restore balance in the digestive system. While the idea might sound surprising, it has been used successfully in people for stubborn gut infections, and now it is proving to be just as powerful for pets.
Think of the gut like a garden
The gut’s bacteria can be compared to grass on a lawn. Adding fibre is like sprinkling fertiliser, encouraging the good bacteria to grow. Probiotics are like planting a few new seeds. FMT, however, is like laying down an entirely new lawn, creating a fresh, thriving ecosystem in the gut.
The study and its results
Researchers treated 39 dogs with chronic enteropathy (a long-term gut disease) that had not improved enough with standard therapies. Each dog received two to three FMT treatments over 35 days. FMT was added on top of the dogs’ current treatment.
The results were inspiring:
Not every dog responded in the same way. Those with very poor gut bacteria balance were less likely to improve. Dogs that struggled to process bile acids (natural substances that help with digestion) were also less likely to see long-lasting benefits. These findings are important because they can help vets decide which patients are most likely to benefit and guide owners on what to expect.
A promising new option
FMT is not a magic bullet, but it is proving to be a safe, effective new option for dogs with chronic gut problems. Even for dogs that only improved for a short time, repeat treatments every few months helped them stay comfortable and active.
For many dogs and their families, FMT could mean more good days, a better quality of life, and, in some cases, a truly life-saving option when everything else has failed.
Think of the gut like a garden
The gut’s bacteria can be compared to grass on a lawn. Adding fibre is like sprinkling fertiliser, encouraging the good bacteria to grow. Probiotics are like planting a few new seeds. FMT, however, is like laying down an entirely new lawn, creating a fresh, thriving ecosystem in the gut.
The study and its results
Researchers treated 39 dogs with chronic enteropathy (a long-term gut disease) that had not improved enough with standard therapies. Each dog received two to three FMT treatments over 35 days. FMT was added on top of the dogs’ current treatment.
The results were inspiring:
- 28 of the 39 dogs improved, with 20 staying well for at least six months
- Owners reported their dogs had more energy, with firmer, more regular stools
- Two dogs were able to stop steroid medication, and 11 were able to reduce their dose after many failed attempts in the past
- Side effects were mild and rare
- For three dogs, FMT was life-saving, offering a turnaround when euthanasia had sadly been the only other option on the table
Not every dog responded in the same way. Those with very poor gut bacteria balance were less likely to improve. Dogs that struggled to process bile acids (natural substances that help with digestion) were also less likely to see long-lasting benefits. These findings are important because they can help vets decide which patients are most likely to benefit and guide owners on what to expect.
A promising new option
FMT is not a magic bullet, but it is proving to be a safe, effective new option for dogs with chronic gut problems. Even for dogs that only improved for a short time, repeat treatments every few months helped them stay comfortable and active.
For many dogs and their families, FMT could mean more good days, a better quality of life, and, in some cases, a truly life-saving option when everything else has failed.