Gardenia jasminoides，as a functional feed ingredient，is rich in conventional nutritional components， including carbohydrates，proteins，minerals，and fatty acids，as well as bioactive compounds such as iridoids， carotenoids，and polysaccharides. Studies have shown that dietary supplementation with gardenia or its extracts can improve animal growth performance，enhance the quality of meat and eggs，and strengthen antioxidant capacity and immune function. This review summarizes the conventional and bioactive constituents of gardenia and their applications in animal production，providing a reference for further development and utilization of this resource in sustainable and healthy animal husbandry.