Vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in domestic cats in urban areas of Lithuania

According to the European Pet Food Industry Federation report (2022), Europe is home to approximately 127.2 million domestic cats, with 26% of households owning at least one cat, making them the most popular pet choice across the continent.In Lithuania, around 70% of households have at least one dog or cat, with 114,600 officially registered domestic cats.Despite their benefits to humans, cats can act as reservoirs or accidental hosts for various pathogens transmitted by fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, posing transmission risks to humans and other animals.