Embodiments of the invention encompass identification and characterization of microbiota having potential or demonstrated therapeutic effects for certain conditions in certain non-human animals. In some embodiments, the identification and characterization of microbiota may include identifying and characterizing the microbiota of potential donors, characterizing the potential donors, and identifying potentially therapeutic microbiota based on analysis of such data from multiple individuals. In some embodiments, the identification and characterization of microbiota may include testing, that is, administering microbiota of potential donors to animals suffering from a disease or condition, documenting any therapeutic response, and optionally identifying and characterizing the microbiota of recipients before and after treatment, and optionally identifying demonstrated therapeutic microbiota. Embodiments of the invention encompass compositions comprising the microbiota, including solid oral compositions, methods of making these compositions, and methods of treatment of non-human animals suffering from various diseases and conditions with these compositions.
