Since March 2024, the U.S. has been grappling with an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), specifically the avian influenza type A H5N1 virus, in dairy cattle. Alarmingly, this outbreak has extended beyond livestock, impacting domestic and wild felines alike. Dozens of cats, including barn cats, feral populations, indoor pets, zoo animals, and even wild big cats, have contracted the virus, highlighting a significant risk to feline health, particularly concerning their food sources.
Initially, the deaths of barn cats at dairy farms played a crucial role in veterinarians’ discovery of HPAI in dairy cattle. However, even prior to this, cats were recognized as susceptible to the H5N1 virus through exposure to infected poultry or wild birds. Now, a concerning new pathway of infection has emerged for domestic cats: contaminated raw food diets, especially those containing poultry like duck, turkey, or chicken. This raises critical questions about Food Cat safety and the risks associated with certain feeding practices.
Raw Cat Food: A Source of H5N1 Contamination
In early December, Northwest Naturals, a pet food company, initiated a voluntary recall of a specific batch of its 2-lb Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food. This action was prompted by a positive test result for H5N1 in the product. The recall encompassed products with “best if used by” dates of May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026. Distribution of the contaminated food cat product spanned across multiple states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington, as well as into British Columbia, Canada.
Tragically, a house cat in Washington County succumbed to H5N1 after consuming the recalled raw frozen pet food. Subsequent testing by the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (OVDL) at Oregon State University and the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed a genetic match between the virus found in the food cat product and the virus infecting the deceased cat.
Dr. Ryan Scholz, 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.” This incident underscores the direct link between contaminated food cat products and H5N1 infection in domestic cats.
While official statements from the USDA and FDA regarding the recall are pending, the ODA collaborated with Northwest Naturals to facilitate the voluntary recall. Consumers are strongly advised to immediately discontinue feeding the affected product to their pets and to ensure its safe disposal. Pet owners are also urged to closely monitor their cats for any unusual signs of illness and to seek veterinary attention if necessary.
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 other cats from the same household are presumed to have contracted the virus after consuming the same food cat product. Monarch Raw Pet Food products were distributed at farmers’ markets in various locations in California.
The LACDPH is also investigating a separate incident involving four cats from another household that became ill and died after consuming raw unpasteurized milk, further emphasizing the risks associated with raw food cat diets and products.
Protecting Your Food Cat and Yourself
Recognizing the signs of H5N1 in cats is crucial for early intervention. Symptoms may include fever, lethargy, noticeable discharge from the eyes and nose, respiratory distress, and neurological issues. The disease can progress rapidly in affected cats and can be fatal. It’s also important to consider rabies in the differential diagnosis for cats exhibiting neurological signs.
Although human infections remain infrequent, experts emphasize the importance of practicing proper hygiene when handling raw pet food. Implementing personal protective measures when interacting with sick or deceased animals is also vital for safeguarding human health.
Veterinarians should adhere to strict protocols to protect themselves and their teams, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This includes utilizing hospital protocols for isolating and managing patients suspected of having zoonotic diseases like H5N1.
Any cats 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 guide veterinarians on collecting and submitting samples for testing to confirm diagnoses.
To mitigate risks, state and federal experts strongly advise against feeding raw or undercooked meat products, as well as unpasteurized dairy products, to both humans and pets. For food cat safety and overall public health, experts recommend the following preventative measures:
- Minimize contact with sick or deceased animals.
- Keep cats indoors to limit their exposure to potentially infected birds and other wildlife.
- After any interaction with sick or dead animals that might carry the H5N1 virus, and crucially, before interacting with your cat, change clothes and shoes and thoroughly wash any exposed skin.
- Keep pets and poultry away from wild waterfowl, which are known carriers of avian influenza.
By taking these precautions, cat owners can significantly reduce the risk of H5N1 infection for their beloved food cat companions and contribute to broader public health safety.
