Your animal's gut, mapped.
An at-home sampling kit + accredited lab analysis revealing the bacterial diversity, balance and longevity-relevant patterns in your animal's gut. The most actionable single diagnostic available outside a vet clinic.
27% off with Plus or Premium
Four steps · no vet visit needed.
Order kit
Arrives in 2–3 days. Discreet packaging.
Sample at home
5-second swab from a fresh stool. Detailed instructions.
Mail it back
Pre-paid return envelope. Sample stable at room temperature.
Get your report
Detailed analysis + personalized PETVITY recommendations in 14–18 days.
Six dimensions of gut health.
Bacterial diversity score
Overall richness of the microbial community. Higher diversity correlates with stronger immune function and aging resilience.
Beneficial bacteria abundance
Levels of key supporters — Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium. Low levels = priority intervention area.
Inflammation indicators
Ratio of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory bacterial taxa. Surfaces low-grade gut inflammation before symptoms.
Digestive efficiency markers
Fiber-degrading bacteria, short-chain fatty acid producers. Indicates how well your animal extracts nutrients.
Gut-brain axis signals
Neurotransmitter-producing taxa relevant to mood, stress reactivity and cognitive function.
Personalized recommendations
Specific dietary, prebiotic and lifestyle changes for your animal — written in plain language, not lab jargon.
Worth it when ?
The microbiome test is one of the most actionable diagnostics available because results translate directly into changes you can make at home. It's particularly valuable when:
- Persistent digestive issues — soft stools, gas, irregular appetite that don't fit a simple diagnosis
- Skin & coat issues — chronic itching, dull coat, recurring ear or paw infections (the gut-skin axis is real)
- Recent antibiotics — to assess recovery and guide rebuilding
- Diet transitions — establishing a baseline before switching, then re-testing 90 days after
- Senior animals — diversity declines with age; targeted intervention preserves function
- Owner curiosity — if you're the kind of owner who tracks data, this is one of the most informative tests available
Less essential when: animal is healthy, young, on a stable diet, with no symptoms. Foundational care still matters more than testing for healthy young animals.
Microbiome FAQ.
Is this validated science or marketing?
16S rRNA sequencing of gut microbiota is well-established research methodology — used in thousands of peer-reviewed studies in dogs, cats and humans. The interpretation layer (what specific patterns mean for your animal) is where pet microbiome science is still maturing. We're transparent about which findings are evidence-strong versus emerging.
How does it compare to a vet's fecal panel?
Different tools. A vet fecal panel typically tests for parasites, specific pathogens (Giardia, Salmonella) and digestive markers. This tests for the bacterial community composition. They're complementary, not competitive — and a vet panel should remain part of routine care.
How often should I retest?
Once for baseline. Retest 90 days after any significant intervention (diet change, supplement protocol, antibiotic recovery). Otherwise annually for healthy adults; more often for animals with active gut issues.
Sample collection — really at home?
Yes. The swab takes 5 seconds, captures from a fresh stool sample, and the proprietary stabilizing solution keeps DNA intact at room temperature for up to 14 days during shipping. No refrigeration, no rush.
Multi-pet households?
Order one kit per animal. The household microbiome is shared in some respects (environmental bacteria) but each animal's gut is distinct enough to warrant individual testing.