Hill’s Pet Nutrition convened its annual Hill’s Global Symposium (HGS) on October 24 and 25, gathering 17 world-renowned experts in the field of microbiome science to explore the theme, "Nourish the Gut, Nurture the Future." HGS had more than 21,000 registrants from 34 countries. Attendees learned about cutting-edge insights into the gut microbiome’s essential role in the overall health of pets, covering topics ranging from organ-gut connections to innovative advancements in pet healthcare technology.

This year's symposium highlighted emerging research on the gut as a pivotal organ affecting the entire health system in cats and dogs. Leading experts presented new findings on the gut microbiome’s connection to key organs such as the kidneys, brain, and skin, underscoring the transformative potential of gut health on broader well-being.

Key presentations included:
  • Dr. Rob Knight, Director of the Center for Microbiome Innovation at the University of California, San Diego, delivered the keynote, exploring how the gut microbiome can modify disease risks and support long-term health in cats and dogs.
  • Dr. Curtis Huttenhower from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health presented on the One Health Microbiome Resource, showcasing future directions for health through an interconnected microbiome approach.
  • Dr. Jessica Quimby, DACVIM (SAIM) from The Ohio State University, discussed strategies for managing waste balance through the gut-kidney axis.
The HGS 2024 Scientific Proceedings can now be downloaded from the Hill’s Veterinary Academy on demand. They are RACE-approved. Individual speaker PDFs can be found here.

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