Hill’s Pet Nutrition launches One Health Microbiome Resource to advance pet health research

USA – Hill’s Pet Nutrition announced the official launch of the One Health Microbiome Resource (OHMR), a groundbreaking web-based portal developed in partnership with Dr. Curtis Huttenhower of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. 

The platform, which went live this month, marks a significant advancement in pet microbiome research and underscores Hill’s decade-long investment in microbiome science.

First revealed in August 2023, Hill’s partnership with Huttenhower has culminated in the OHMR, now positioned as a central resource for academics, veterinarians, and industry professionals. 

Designed to support dialogue, innovation, and discovery, the OHMR offers standardised research protocols, computational tools, and a vast dataset of over 2,000 pet gut microbiome samples.

“The launch of the OHMR portal is a testament to the power of collaboration, allowing us to accelerate the pace of scientific research and to translate its findings more rapidly into benefits for both pets and their owners,” said Huttenhower. 

“Our pets’ diets and environments represent a microcosm of human nutrition, and as a result, pets’ microbiomes are a particularly powerful tool for diagnostics, preventative care, and ensuring treatment effectiveness through interactions with food and medicine.”

Data already proving instrumental in studies 

Hill’s sees the OHMR not just as a research tool, but as a catalyst for scientific breakthroughs that can improve pet care globally. 

The portal’s data have already been utilised in multiple studies, including one published in the ISME Journal, which explored the collection of companion animal gut metagenomes. 

This study highlighted microbiome links to disease resistance, immune function, and microbial chemical activity.

Another notable study, appearing in mSystems, examined the influence of various dietary fibre sources on canine health, a development that Hill’s says will aid in formulating future nutrition products.

According to Dave Baloga, executive vice president of Science and Technology at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, For over a decade, Hill’s has been deeply invested in pet microbiome research, and the OHMR represents a significant step forward in our commitment to improving pet health. 

“This dynamic hub provides the scientific community with unprecedented access to data, propelling groundbreaking research and driving innovation in pet nutrition. We’re already seeing the OHMR’s impact, and we’re incredibly excited about its potential to transform the lives of pets for years to come,” Baloga said. 

The OHMR is also a cornerstone of Hill’s broader mission to develop the largest and most comprehensive public profiles of both pet and human microbiomes. 

Through continued collaboration with Huttenhower, the company hopes to uncover new insights into the interconnected health of pets, people, and the environment.

“The gut and skin microbiomes of pets and humans are surprisingly overlapping, and these tiny organisms play a huge role in everything from digestion and immunity to behavior and energy levels,” added Baloga. 

He explained that when these microbiomes are disturbed and lose their normal ecological balance, it can lead to various problems. 

“That’s why Hill’s is so committed to understanding how diet, disease and the environment affect the pet microbiome. This new research will give us the knowledge we need to help our pets live healthier, happier lives, and we’re excited to share these discoveries with pet owners everywhere.”

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.