Study probes gut microbiome, FMT, and obesity in cats

Cats with obesity may carry distinct gut microbial and metabolic signatures, and a new multi-omics study suggests fecal microbiota transplantation, or FMT, can shift some of those signals, though not in a way that yet supports clinical use for weight management. In the May 2026 issue of Veterinary Sciences, researchers analyzed gut microbiota and serum metabolites in 24 cats classified as obese, normal, or lean, then transplanted fecal microbiota from obese or lean donors into recipient cats. They reported no significant differences in overall microbial diversity or community structure by body condition, but found enrichment of Coriobacteriaceae and Collinsella in obese cats, while Enterobacteriaceae-related taxa were more abundant in normal-weight cats. (mdpi.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the study adds to a growing but still mixed feline obesity literature suggesting that microbiome changes may be more subtle than headline claims imply. Prior cat studies have also found limited or inconsistent microbiome differences across obesity phenotypes, while diet appears to be a major driver of feline gut microbial composition. That matters because it suggests nutrition, weight-loss protocols, and metabolic monitoring are still likely to be more actionable in practice than microbiome transfer alone. (mdpi.com)

What to watch: Whether follow-up studies can show durable metabolic or clinical benefits from FMT in cats, and whether specific microbial targets emerge that are more useful than broad transplant approaches. (mdpi.com)