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The recent deaths of cats due to H5N1 contamination in raw frozen cat food has raised concerns among pet owners.1 While a few cases worldwide may not seem alarming, it has prompted several pet food companies to conduct extensive testing and issue voluntary recalls—a costly and serious decision. This raises the question: How concerned should cat owners be about bird flu?
“The big worry for cats is that we now know that they can become infected with bird flu from direct contact with infected animals, by consuming birds or unpasteurized milk, and through the consumption of contaminated raw meat,” Dr. Karyn Kanowski of Catster explains2 “Coupled with the fact that this virus is particularly virulent in cats, pet owners are right to be concerned.”
What is H5N1?
H5N1, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects birds but has also been detected in mammals, including cats, dogs, cattle, and even humans. The virus is particularly deadly to wild bird populations and can lead to mass culling in poultry farms to prevent its spread. While cattle experience only mild symptoms, humans can contract H5N1 through direct contact with infected animals, experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, coughing, and fatigue. The current outbreak has seen fewer than 70 confirmed human cases in the U.S., with over a dozen fatalities.
How Bird Flu Affects Cats
Cats can contract bird flu by consuming infected birds, drinking unpasteurized milk, or eating contaminated raw meat. Infected cats often exhibit severe signs, including fever, lethargy, inflamed eyes, nasal discharge, respiratory distress, tremors, seizures, and even blindness. Unlike in humans and cattle, H5N1 infections in cats are often fatal.
Following a confirmed case of a house cat in Washington County, pet food companies began testing their products, with some issuing recalls of poultry-based raw food. This highlights a key issue with feeding pets a raw diet—the risk of exposure to dangerous pathogens.
Dogs can also become infected, but documented cases suggest that they remain asymptomatic. While this is good news for dogs, it also means they could unknowingly spread the virus.
Steps to Protect Your Cat
The FDA issued the following statement:
“H5N1 can be deadly to cats, as well as dogs, so we encourage consumers to carefully consider the risk of this emerging pathogen before feeding their pets uncooked meat or an uncooked pet food product. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Veterinary Medical Association discourage the feeding of uncooked meat diets to companion animals due to the potential presence of pathogens, including H5N1. Heat treatments have been shown to be effective for inactivating H5N1 in meat, milk, and egg products. We recommend that consumers follow the USDA guidelines for handling and thorough cooking of raw meat before feeding. Animals should also be kept from hunting and consuming wild birds.”
The overall risk of H5N1 to household cats remains low, but there are practical steps to minimize any potential danger:
- Choose Safer Pet Food Options: The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discourage feeding raw meat to pets due to the risk of pathogen contamination. Heat treatment has been proven to neutralize H5N1 in meat, milk, and egg products. If you feed a raw diet, consult with your supplier to confirm whether their products are screened for H5N1. You might also consider lightly cooking meat (removing bones to prevent choking hazards) before feeding it to your cat.
- Reduce Exposure to Wildlife: Outdoor cats that hunt birds or drink from farm milk supplies are at a higher risk of exposure. Keeping your cat indoors or limiting their hunting opportunities can help prevent infection.
- Stay Informed: As the virus evolves, new information and recommendations may emerge. Keeping up with reliable sources like Catster.com ensures you have the latest updates on how to protect your pet.
The Bottom Line
Although the chances of your cat contracting bird flu are low, the consequences of infection can be severe. Being mindful of their diet and exposure to potential sources of infection can go a long way in keeping them safe. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to H5N1 or is showing symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance.
For the latest feline health updates, keep following Hepper and the Live From the Litter Box segments—your trusted source for all things cat-related.
What is H5N1?
