Cat’s Death Highlights Dangers of Raw Pet Food and Bird Flu Risk: Experts and public health officials are advising against feeding raw diets to pets. The affected product, a turkey-based food made by Northwest Naturals, has been recalled.
Bird flu, or avian influenza, has posed risks to cats for years, but the first U.S. cases weren’t reported until 2022. Since then, the numbers have grown, with over 25 cases recorded by late 2024, according to Dr. Jane Sykes of UC Davis.
These cases mostly involved cats on dairy farms in states like Texas and Colorado. However, some indoor cats with no known exposure to poultry or livestock were also affected, likely due to consuming raw diets or unpasteurized milk.
The Oregon case marks the first documented death of an indoor cat from bird flu linked to raw food. Though only about 2% of pet owners feed their pets raw diets, the risk is significant.
Dr. Sykes notes that raw milk and meat can harbor bacteria and viruses, unlike commercial pet foods, which are heat-treated to eliminate pathogens.
Dr. Stephen Cole from the University of Pennsylvania explains that the cooking and pasteurization processes used in traditional pet food production effectively destroy bacteria and viruses.
Even freeze-dried raw foods are unsafe because freezing can preserve viruses rather than eliminate them. Dr. J. Scott Weese from the University of Guelph adds, “Freezing is a great way to keep viruses alive just not what you’d want for your cat’s dinner.”
The FDA is investigating cases of bird flu in cats across Western states. According to spokesperson Janell Goodwin, there have been reports of domestic cats infected after consuming contaminated food, but no human illnesses linked to handling these products.
In light of the findings, the FDA urges pet owners to avoid raw foods from farms with infected animals and recommends thoroughly cooking or pasteurizing food to neutralize potential threats.
In December 2024, Los Angeles County confirmed bird flu in four domestic cats that consumed recalled raw milk and one that ate Northwest Naturals food.
An earlier incident involved eight domestic cats drinking raw milk, leading to sickness in seven and the death of five. Oregon state veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz emphasized that more cases are likely going undetected since most owners don’t pursue costly testing for deceased pets.
Symptoms of Bird Flu in Cats
Bird flu can cause rapid illness and death in cats. Dr. Sykes notes that cats may first show mild respiratory symptoms, but the illness can progress to severe neurological issues like stumbling seizures, and blindness.
These symptoms are often fatal. Other signs include coughing, sneezing, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Cats tend to hide their illnesses, making early detection challenging. If a cat is suspected to have been exposed, immediate veterinary care is critical.
Keeping Your Cat Safe
Experts suggest avoiding raw pet food to reduce risks significantly. Indoor cats are at minimal risk, while outdoor cats face greater exposure to wild birds that can carry the virus. Dr. Weese advises, “If you’ve got a bird feeder, consider taking it down you’re feeding more than just the birds.”
To further protect cats, limit their outdoor time and ensure they are vaccinated for rabies to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.
While the full scope of bird flu’s impact on cats remains unclear, ongoing studies aim to provide more answers about its prevalence and potential outcomes.
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