FMT Donor Screening

Since 2016, Animal Biome has maintained a rigorously screened feline and canine stool bank, with donor material sourced from clinically healthy, privately owned animals selected according to established health and screening criteria. This material is used in the production of two fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) products for cats and dogs: Gut Restore, an orally administered FMT supplement designed for at-home use, and Powdered Fecal Material for Enema Transplant, intended for use by veterinary professionals during in-clinic enema transplant procedures. Both products provide a diverse, well-balanced microbial community to support restoration of the gut microbiome.

FMT is well-documented in the literature as an effective therapeutic approach for a variety of conditions associated with gastro-intestinal dysbiosis, including chronic enteropathies, canine parvovirus, and atopic dermatitis.

Safety of Stool Donors

The Clinical Guidelines for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Companion Animals provide recommendations for the selection and screening of FMT donors. To further optimize recipient safety and the quality of donor material, Animal Biome employs screening protocols that exceed these recommendations, particularly with respect to the frequency and breadth of infectious disease and enteric pathogen surveillance. The donor screening program incorporates longitudinal assessment of donor health and fecal material, including repeated clinical evaluations and testing for relevant enteric pathogens and parasites.

Only approximately 7% of prospective donors ultimately meet Animal Biome’s qualification criteria, reflecting a highly selective approach to donor eligibility. This rigorous selection process supports the microbial diversity, stability, and overall quality of FMT material used in clinical applications.

Donor Screening

Donor selection begins with a comprehensive evaluation of the animal as a whole, prior to any consideration of fecal material. To qualify for the donor program, each candidate must meet strict inclusion criteria, including:

All donors are privately owned companion animals living in home environments. This helps ensure exposure to typical environmental microbiota and supports the development of a diverse, resilient gut microbial community. Donors are fed species-appropriate, nutritionally complete diets, with an emphasis on animal-based protein sources to promote microbiome health.

Comprehensive and up-to-date veterinary medical records are maintained for all donor animals to confirm ongoing eligibility and overall health status.

Following donor qualification, fecal material undergoes additional quality assessment prior to inclusion in FMT products. Each sample is evaluated according to established criteria, including:

Together, these quality control measures help ensure that donor material meets established standards for microbial composition, consistency, and suitability for veterinary FMT applications.

Third-Party Laboratory Screening

In addition to comprehensive donor health screening, all fecal donations undergo routine analytical testing by third-party laboratories, including Idexx Reference Laboratories and Antech Diagnostics to screen for common parasites, pathogens, and infectious diseases.

Both IDEXX and Antech are widely recognized leaders in veterinary diagnostics, and are routinely utilized by veterinary practices globally. The use of these external laboratories provides an additional layer of quality assurance, ensuring objective, standardized testing to support the safety and reliability of our FMT preparations.

Dog Stool Screening

Canine fecal donors undergo comprehensive screening prior to admission into the program, followed by routine re-screening at 2–4 week intervals. All parasite, pathogen, and enteric infectious disease testing is conducted by independent diagnostic laboratories, including IDEXX Reference Laboratories(¹) and/or Antech Diagnostics(²), to ensure ongoing safety and suitability of donor material.

Cat Stool Screening

Feline fecal donors undergo comprehensive screening prior to admission into the program, followed by routine re-screening at 2–4 week intervals. All parasite, pathogen, and enteric infectious disease testing is conducted through independent diagnostic laboratories, including IDEXX Reference Laboratories(¹) and/or Antech Diagnostics(²), to ensure ongoing safety and suitability of donor material.

Regardless of the delivery modality, veterinarians and pet owners should carefully evaluate the safety standards, donor screening protocols, and quality controls behind any FMT product.

Animal Biome’s mission is to advance companion animal microbiome science and provide safe, effective microbiome-based therapeutics that improve patient outcomes. Animal Biome achieves this by combining extensive experience in companion animal FMT with ongoing clinical research to advance its application in veterinary medicine.

We believe every pet deserves a lifetime of wellness, and through clinically informed FMT solutions, Animal Biome helps veterinarians restore the gut microbiome as a foundation for better health.