A study published December 3 in the journal iScience found that the family dog prompts changes in our gut microbiome that result in better mental health. The gut microbiome helps our bodies digest important nutrients, train our immune system, and can even stimulate the production of important neurotransmitters in our brains. “Adolescent children who keep dogs exhibit higher mental well-being, and we also found that dog ownership alters the gut microbiota,” said Kikusui. For example, poverty can negatively affect the gut microbiome diversity, as it can lead to malnutrition and make accessing regular healthcare difficult. Still, these results suggest that a family dog can change the microbiome in ways that support prosocial behavior, empathy, and mental health in general.