The recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), specifically the H5N1 strain, has expanded its reach beyond dairy cattle and is now impacting domestic cats. Since March 2024, numerous feline infections have been reported across the United States, affecting barn cats, feral cats, indoor pets, and even big cats in zoos and wildlife settings. Initially linked to exposure at dairy farms and poultry, a concerning new transmission route has emerged: contaminated raw cat food, leading to a Bird Flu In Cat Food Recall.
This development highlights a significant risk for pet owners who feed their cats raw food diets, particularly those containing poultry. Raw pet food and unpasteurized milk have been identified as potential sources of H5N1 transmission to felines. The latest concern involves raw diets incorporating poultry ingredients like duck, turkey, or chicken, which may be contaminated with the avian flu virus.
Raw Food Contamination and Recalls
In early December, Northwest Naturals, a pet food manufacturer, initiated a voluntary bird flu in cat food recall for a specific batch of its 2-lb Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food. This recall was triggered after testing revealed the presence of H5N1 in the product.
The recall by the Oregon-based company encompasses products marked with “best if used by” dates of May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026. Distribution of the potentially contaminated cat food spanned multiple states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington, as well as parts of Canada, specifically British Columbia.
Tragically, a house cat in Washington County succumbed to H5N1 after consuming the recalled raw frozen pet food. Genetic analysis conducted by the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (OVDL) at Oregon State University and the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed an exact genetic match between the virus found in the cat food and the virus that infected the cat.
Dr. Ryan Scholz, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) State Veterinarian, stated, “We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food. This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other.”
While official statements from the USDA and FDA regarding the bird flu in cat food recall are pending, the ODA collaborated with Northwest Naturals to facilitate the voluntary recall. Consumers who have purchased the affected product are strongly advised to immediately discontinue feeding it to their pets and to dispose of it carefully. Pet owners are also urged to closely monitor their cats for any signs of illness and to seek immediate veterinary attention if any concerning symptoms arise.
Adding to the concern, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) issued a warning on December 31, 2024, regarding a confirmed H5N1 infection in a house cat that had consumed raw pet food from Monarch Raw Pet Food. Furthermore, four additional cats within the same household are presumed to have contracted the virus after ingesting the same Monarch product. Monarch Raw Pet Food products were distributed and sold at farmers’ markets in several California locations, including Laguna Niguel, Orange, San Jacinto, and Fountain Valley.
The LACDPH is also investigating a separate incident involving four cats from another household that became sick and died after consuming raw, unpasteurized milk, further emphasizing the risks associated with raw animal products.
Protecting Your Cat from Bird Flu
Recognizing the symptoms of H5N1 in cats is crucial for early detection and response. Signs of bird flu in felines can include fever, lethargy, excessive discharge from the eyes and nose, breathing difficulties, and neurological problems. The disease can progress rapidly in affected cats and can be fatal. It is important to note that rabies should also be considered when evaluating cats exhibiting neurological signs.
Although human infections remain infrequent, health experts emphasize the importance of maintaining strict hygiene practices when handling raw pet food. Implementing personal protective measures when interacting with sick or deceased animals is also vital to minimize the risk of transmission.
Veterinarians are advised to implement stringent safety protocols to protect themselves and their staff, as detailed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This includes adhering to hospital protocols for isolating and managing patients suspected of having zoonotic diseases like avian influenza.
Any cat suspected of having H5N1 should be promptly reported to state animal health officials, state public health veterinarians, or state veterinary diagnostic laboratories. These authorities can provide guidance on sample collection and submission for diagnostic testing.
To safeguard both people and their pets, state and federal health experts strongly recommend avoiding the consumption of raw or undercooked meat products, as well as unpasteurized dairy products.
Furthermore, experts offer the following preventative measures for pet owners:
- Limit contact with sick or dead animals: Avoid areas where sick or dead birds or other wildlife are present.
- Keep cats indoors: Confine cats indoors to minimize their exposure to wild birds and other potentially infected animals.
- Practice good hygiene: After any potential exposure to sick or dead animals, immediately change clothes and shoes, and thoroughly wash any exposed skin before interacting with your cat.
- Prevent contact with wild waterfowl: Keep pets and poultry away from wild waterfowl and their environments.
By staying informed and taking proactive steps, pet owners can significantly reduce the risk of bird flu for their feline companions, especially concerning the dangers highlighted by the bird flu in cat food recall.
