Antibiotic resistance is one of the most significant health challenges of our time — and it affects our pets just as much as it affects us. In 2026, this is a topic that vets across the UK are taking increasingly seriously, and one that every pet owner deserves to understand.
What Is Antibiotic Resistance?
Antibiotics are medicines that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to survive antibiotic treatment. Over time — and especially with overuse or misuse — resistant bacteria multiply and spread, making infections harder, sometimes impossible, to treat.
This is not a distant problem. In veterinary practice, we are already seeing infections in dogs and cats that are resistant to multiple antibiotics, requiring more intensive, longer, and more expensive treatment courses.
How Does Resistance Develop in Pets?
- Incomplete courses of antibiotics — if treatment is stopped early, some bacteria survive and pass on resistance
- Using antibiotics for viral infections, which they cannot treat — most coughs and colds do not require antibiotics
- Prescribing without culture and sensitivity testing — not knowing which bacteria is present or which drug will work
- Transfer of resistant bacteria between pets, and between pets and their owners
The Human-Animal-Environment Connection
Antibiotic resistance doesn't respect species boundaries. Resistant bacteria can pass between pets and the people who live with them — particularly relevant for young children, elderly individuals, and anyone with a compromised immune system. This is why responsible antibiotic use in veterinary medicine is a public health issue, not just an animal welfare one.
We follow RCVS and BSAVA guidelines on responsible antibiotic use. We prescribe only when genuinely necessary, use the most targeted antibiotic appropriate for the infection, and for serious or recurring infections we recommend culture and sensitivity testing before prescribing. We do not prescribe antibiotics over the phone without a proper clinical assessment.
What You Can Do
- Always complete the full course of antibiotics prescribed — even if your pet seems better
- Never use leftover antibiotics from a previous course or another pet
- Never give human antibiotics to pets without veterinary advice
- Ask your vet to explain why antibiotics are being prescribed — a good vet will always be happy to discuss the rationale
Questions About Your Pet's Medication?
If you have questions about a prescription your pet has been given, or want to understand more about how we approach antibiotic use at Paws & Co, we're always happy to talk it through.