Antibiotic Resistance in Pets and People
![Healthy Pets Healthy People Illustration of a sky blue border](/congress116th/20210123204252im_/https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/images/publications/antibiotic-resistance-border.jpg)
![Illustration of a sick woman with her cat](/congress116th/20210123204252im_/https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/images/publications/figure1.jpg)
We rely on antibiotics to fight some infections in people and pets.
![Illustration of medicine bottles](/congress116th/20210123204252im_/https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/images/publications/figure2.jpg)
But anytime antibiotics are used, they can contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance.
![Illustration of two women in front of a vet clinic](/congress116th/20210123204252im_/https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/images/publications/figure4.jpg)
People and pets can sometimes get sick with antibiotic-resistant infections, which are harder to treat.
![Illustration of a woman bringing her dog into a vet clinic](/congress116th/20210123204252im_/https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/images/publications/figure3.jpg)
Make sure your pets only get antibiotics when needed, and follow your veterinarian’s instructions if you need to give your pet antibiotics.
![Illustration of family playing with pets](/congress116th/20210123204252im_/https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/images/publications/figure5.jpg)
Appropriate antibiotic use in people and pets helps protect the whole family — including furry, feathered, and scaly family members– from antibiotic-resistant infections.
![Healthy Pets Healthy People Illustration of a sky blue border](/congress116th/20210123204252im_/https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/images/publications/antibiotic-resistance-border.jpg)
Page last reviewed: February 10, 2020