Natural Microbiota of Dogs and Cats as a Source and Vector of Resistance Genes-Clinical Significance.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a growing global threat, driven by widespread antibiotic misuse across human and veterinary medicine. Companion animals, particularly dogs and cats, harbor complex natural microbiota-including skin, mucosal, and gastrointestinal communities-that are essential to their health yet also serve as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). These ARGs can spread through horizontal gene transfer (HGT), especially during bacterial imbalances such as endogenous infections or surgical interventions, increasing the risk of difficult-to-treat infections.