Changes in gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids are involved in the process of canine obesity after neutering

Abstract Neutering is a significant risk factor for obesity in dogs. Changes in gut microbiota and its metabolites have been identified as a key player during obesity progression. However, the mechanisms that promote neuter-associated weight gain are not well understood. Therefore, in this study, sixteen clinically healthy Beagle dogs (6 male and 10 female, mean age = 8.22 ± 0.25 mo old) were neutered. Body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were recorded at 1 d before neutering, 3, 6, 10, 16, and 21 mo after neutering. Dogs were grouped based on their BCS as ideal weight group (IW, n = 4, mean BW = 13.22 ± 1.30 kg, mean BCS = 5.00 ± 0.41) and obese group (OB, n = 12, mean BW = 18.57 ± 1.08 kg, mean BCS = 7.92 ± 0.82) at 21 mo after neutering. Serum lipid profile, glucose, and hormones and fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured. Our results showed that OB dogs had greater (P