Why Cats Need Antibiotics: Uses and Responsible Care

Antibiotics are vital medicines that specifically target and kill bacteria, but are often misunderstood by pet owners. While many might think antibiotics can cure any illness, in reality, they have a very specific use: treating bacterial infections in cats. Using antibiotics irresponsibly can encourage antibiotic resistance and sometimes worsen your cat%s health.

Cats commonly need antibiotics for bacterial infections such as abscesses from fights, infected wounds, or urinary tract infections. Understanding how antibiotics work and their proper use helps cat owners support their feline companions% recovery and ensures safe and effective treatment.

What Are Antibiotics?

Antibiotics are a class of medicines designed to kill bacteria or stop their growth. The historic discovery of penicillin, derived from mould, marked a major advance in medicine worldwide. Though antibiotics can cure many bacterial infections, they do nothing against viral or fungal diseases.

Why Might a Cat Need Antibiotics?

Cats may require antibiotics when they develop infections unlikely to clear up on their own or those that could worsen or spread to other animals. Common scenarios include infected bite wounds, skin infections, respiratory or urinary tract infections. Administering antibiotics appropriately prevents complications and supports healing.

Different Types of Antibiotics for Cats

Not all antibiotics are the same; various types target different bacteria with varying strengths, durations, and effects. Your vet will choose the most suitable type and dosage after diagnosing the specific infection to maximise effectiveness and safety. This personalised approach ensures the right treatment for each cat%s unique situation.

Completing the Full Course Is Vital

If your vet prescribes a course of antibiotics to give at home, it%s critical to follow all dose instructions and complete the entire treatment, even if your cat appears better. Stopping early can allow bacteria to survive, leading to the infection returning stronger and potentially resistant to antibiotics.

Never Use Leftover Antibiotics

Antibiotics should never be given to cats without veterinary advice—even if they were prescribed previously for a similar condition. Different infections require different drugs and doses, and improper use can cause harm or resistance.

When Vets May Not Prescribe Antibiotics

Your vet will not prescribe antibiotics if they don%t suspect a bacterial infection that would respond to the medication. Antibiotics do not treat viral, fungal, or non-infectious diseases and should be used cautiously to avoid unnecessary side effects and resistance.

Why Responsible Use Matters

Antibiotic resistance is a growing public and animal health concern, where bacteria evolve to resist standard treatments, making infections more difficult to manage. Overuse or misuse—such as unnecessary prescribing, incorrect doses, or overly long courses—contributes to this problem.

Additionally, antibiotics can disrupt the balance of beneficial bacteria in your cat%s body, reducing their immune defences. Responsible veterinary prescription, following UK guidelines, ensures antibiotics remain effective, safe, and benefit your cat without contributing to resistance.

UK Veterinary Guidelines and Best Practices

UK vets adhere to strict guidelines such as those by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and the PROTECT principles for antimicrobial stewardship. These protocols recommend antibiotics only when clinically necessary and encourage diagnostics to confirm bacterial infections whenever possible.

This approach balances effective treatment with safeguarding antibiotic efficacy for the future health of cats and humans alike.

Summary: Antibiotics in Cats

By following your vet%s advice, completing antibiotic courses, and never self-medicating your cat, you help support their health and contribute to wider public health efforts against antibiotic resistance.