Raw cat food linked to bird flu – Vet shares how to protect your pets from the virus

A raw cat food from Northwest Naturals was recalled due to contamination with avian influenza (bird flu or H5N1)and one cat has since died, prompting pet owners to be alert about the virus.

“We believe this cat contracted H5N1 by eating Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” Dr. Ryan Scholz, Oregon Department of Agriculture veterinarian said in a press release. “This cat was strictly an indoor cat; she was not exposed to the virus in her environment, and the genome sequencing results confirmed that the virus recovered from raw pet food and the infected cat were an exact match.”

The downloaded item was the 2 pound turkey turkey recipe with best by dates 05/21/26. and 23.06.2026

At the end of December Los Angeles County released a statement urging pet owners to avoid products from another pet food company, Monarch Raw Pet Foodafter officials said samples of the products had detected the virus, which can be particularly 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 of bird flu?

Although both cats and dogs can contract the virus, cats have a higher mortality rate (about 67%) when infected, according to University of Maryland School of Public Health.

However, despite these alarming statistics, cats still rarely contract the virus, and there are preventative measures cat owners can take to protect their pets.

How do pets get bird flu?

Bird flu is transmitted by an infected animal saliva, mucosa and faeces. But time is an important factor when discussing how long the virus remains active in saliva, mucous membranes and feces.

“If it’s fresh and moist, the moisture can also increase the viability of the organisms,” says Atema Etzioni, a veterinary clinical pathologist at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. “So as long as there is moisture there will still be live bacteria. But if that organism dries on any surface, then it’s limited to how much (of the virus) can still be transmitted.”

Pets that go outdoors can also become infected with the virus from eating or touching a bird that is infected with bird flu. Feeding your pet raw food also increases the risk of contracting the virus. However, cats are still more likely to catch the virus than dogs, according to American Veterinary Medical Association.

“The ideal thing is to get (the food) to whatever cooking temperature it is and cook it long enough to kill the organism,” Etzioni says. For example, poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees F to cook away any possible bird flu contamination.

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 it 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 they contract the virus. Symptoms include but are not limited to lethargy, loss of appetite, sore eyes, and eye discharge.

“If it becomes neurological, they can also start circling, which is something that birds can also do,” Etzioni says. Other neurological signs may include seizures and impaired coordination.

If you suspect that your pet has contracted bird flu, contact your veterinarian immediately. And if you’re planning to take your pet to the vet, Etzioni says it’s imperative to tell your vet there’s a bird flu concern so the staff can take the necessary precautions to protect them and other pets , who visit the practice.

The CDC says the chance of your pet infecting you with bird flu is very low, but not completely impossible. So if your pet becomes infected, monitor yourself for symptoms and contact your doctor if they become severe.

Read more: The first human death from bird flu has occurred in the United States