The role of microbes in animal health, particularly in host-microbiota interactions, has garnered significant research interest due to its implications for animal well-being and agricultural sustainability. This paper reviews the current understanding of the microbiota in animals, focusing on its composition, functions, and the factors influencing its balance. The microbiota, consisting of bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, plays crucial roles in digestion, immune system development, protection against pathogens, and synthesis of vitamins and beneficial compounds. Various factors, including host genetics, diet, and environmental factors, influence the composition and function of the microbiota. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the microbiota, is associated with several diseases, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy microbial community. Strategies such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can help restore microbial balance in cases of dysbiosis. Future research should focus on understanding the complex interactions between the host and its microbiota to develop effective microbial-based therapies for improving animal health and agricultural sustainability.

Microbiota, dysbiosis, animal health, host-microbiota interactions, probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, agriculture, microbial-based therapies