Intestinal Dysbiosis Relating to Gut-Brain Axis and Behavior in Dogs: A Systematic Review with Text Mining Approach.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Microbiology
• Animal Behavior

Background:

• The canine intestinal microbiome is crucial for health, influencing digestion, immunity, metabolism, and behavior.
• Gut bacteria communicate with the brain via the gut-brain axis, affecting behavior through neurological, metabolic, endocrine, and immune pathways.
• The role of gut dysbiosis in canine behavioral and neurological disorders is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and analyze the literature on the association between dysbiosis, the gut-brain axis, and canine illnesses.
• To explore the influence of gut bacteria on canine behavior and neurological conditions.
• To apply Text Mining (TM) for quantitative analysis of relevant studies.

Main Methods:

• Literature search conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases.
• Search terms included "dysbiosis", "canine" OR "dog", "gut-brain axis", and "behavior".
• PRISMA guidelines were followed to screen 1176 retrieved records, with 35 studies included in the final analysis.

Main Results:

• The review critically analyzes existing literature from 2011 to September 2025.
• Text Mining (TM) was employed for the first time in this research domain to structure and analyze data.
• The study identified and evaluated 35 relevant studies meeting inclusion criteria.

Conclusions:

• The gut-brain axis represents a significant pathway through which intestinal microorganisms can influence canine behavior.
• Understanding the link between dysbiosis and canine behavior is essential for diagnosing and treating neurological and gastrointestinal disorders.
• This review provides a foundation for future research into the gut microbiome's impact on canine health and behavior.