Feline fecal metagenomes across health states
The gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to feline health, yet its characteristics under specific physiological and pathological conditions remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we performed whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing of fecal samples from 37 domestic cats, including 35 healthy individuals, one pregnant cat, and one cat with nephrolithiasis. Our analysis reveals distinct alterations in both the taxonomic composition and functional potential of the gut microbiome across these different states. These findings provide foundational insights into the feline gut microbiome and identify condition-specific microbial signatures that may support future diagnostic development and nutritional strategies for improving cat health.