A raw cat food from Northwest Naturals was recalled due to avian influenza (bird flu or H5N1) contamination, and one cat has since died, prompting pet owners to be on high alert about with the virus.
“We believe this cat contracted H5N1 by eating Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” Oregon Department of Agriculture veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz. “This cat was strictly a domestic cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and the infected cat were compatible with each other. “
The recalled item was a 2-pound Cat Turkey Recipe with best-before dates of 05/21/26 and 06/23/2026.
In late December, Los Angeles County issued a statement urging pet owners to avoid products from another pet food company, Monarch Raw Pet Food, after officials said product samples detected the virus, which it can be especially deadly to cats.
“A domestic cat that consumed this product has been confirmed positive for H5 avian influenza,” the Los Angeles County statement said. “Four other domestic cats from the same household are believed to have also tested positive for H5 avian influenza after consuming the product.”
Here’s everything you need to know about your pets and bird flu.
Are cats at higher risk for bird flu?
Although cats and dogs can contract the virus, cats have a higher mortality rate (about 67%) when infected, according to the University of Maryland School of Public Health.
However, despite this alarming statistic, it is still rare for cats to contract the virus, and there are preventative measures cat owners can take to keep their pets safe.
How do pets get infected with bird flu?
Avian flu is transmitted by the saliva, mucus and feces of an infected animal. But time is an important factor when discussing how long the virus remains active in saliva, mucus and feces.
“If it’s cool and moist, moisture can also increase the viability of organisms,” says Athema Etzioni, clinical veterinary pathologist at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. “So as long as there’s moisture involved, then there’s still going to be living bacteria. But if that organism dries out on any surface, then it’s limited in quantity [of the virus] can still be transmitted”.
Pets that go outside can also contract the virus from eating or touching a bird that is infected with bird flu. Feeding your pet a raw food diet also increases the risk of contracting the virus. However, cats are still more likely to catch the virus than dogs, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
“The ideal thing is to get [food] at whatever temperature it’s cooked and cook it long enough to kill the organism,” says Etzioni. For example, poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees F to clear any possible contamination from avian flu.
“I’m not a big fan of raw diets in general,” says Etzioni.
How to protect your pet from bird flu?
Experts say one of the best ways to protect your cat from bird flu is to keep them indoors. This mitigates the risks by reducing their exposure to wild birds or other animals that may have contracted the virus. Many, including Etzioni, also do not recommend raw food diets for your pets.
Read more: How to stay safe now that more raw milk has been recalled due to bird flu
There is currently no vaccine to protect cats from bird flu.
What does bird flu look like in pets?
According to the AVMA, both cats and dogs can show the same symptoms if infected with the virus. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, lethargy, loss of appetite, inflamed eyes, and eye discharge.
“If it goes neurological, they can also start circling, which birds can do,” Etzioni says. Other neurological signs may include seizures and incoordination.
If you suspect that your pet has been affected by bird flu, contact your veterinarian immediately. And if you plan to bring your pet to the vet, Etzioni says it’s imperative that you let your vet know there are concerns about avian flu so the staff can take the necessary precautions to keep them and your pets safe. other housewives visiting the safe practice. .
The CDC says the likelihood of your pet giving you bird flu is very low, but it’s not completely impossible. So if your pet becomes infected, monitor yourself for symptoms as well and contact your doctor if they become severe.
Read more: The first human death from bird flu has occurred in the United States
