Innovation in Pet Care Award seal — Global Pet Care Summit

PawFresh named a winner of the Innovation in Pet Care Award 2026see the recognition & judging criteria

Glossary

Microbiome — Glossary

The community of microorganisms living on a surface or animal — the odor-producing crew in residue and on skin.

A microbiome is the whole microbial community in a place — the bacteria, yeasts, and fungi living on your pet’s skin, in the carpet, in the litter box. These communities are odor producers: they metabolize residue and release volatile compounds.

Pet odor is largely a microbiome output — the microbes process what the pet deposits and emit the smell as a byproduct.

Related terms