Deadly Bird Flu Spreads to Cats Through Pet Food—Is Your Clients at Risk?
A second U.S. pet food company has issued a recall as the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus spreads to household cats, raising alarms among pet owners and veterinarians alike. Wild Coast Raw, a raw pet food brand, voluntarily recalled two lots of its products after cats in multiple states tested positive for the virus, which they contracted after consuming contaminated meat.
The outbreak initially surfaced in Oregon, where a breeder’s cats became gravely ill after eating raw food. Tragically, two of her cats had to be euthanized, while others struggled with severe symptoms, including fever, rapid breathing, and even neurological issues. Soon after, Washington state reported additional cases tied to the same brand of raw pet food.
Since 2022, nearly 100 domestic cats in the U.S. have tested positive for bird flu. The virus is often fatal, and experts are concerned about the potential for transmission to humans, though no such cases have been confirmed in this outbreak.
Christine “Kiki” Knopp, the Oregon breeder at the center of the outbreak, said she had trusted that raw pet food was being tested for contaminants. Now, she urges pet owners to avoid feeding raw poultry, meat, or even eggs to their cats. “It’s just all risk,” she warned.
Veterinarian Dr. Steve Valeika echoed these concerns, emphasizing that H5N1 is just one of many pathogens linked to raw pet food, alongside salmonella, E. coli, and listeria.
Adding to the mystery, officials are still investigating how contaminated poultry made its way into the pet food supply. While meat for human consumption undergoes strict USDA inspections, pet food processing is less regulated, raising concerns about broader contamination.
For now, experts urge pet owners to take precautions:
Avoid feeding raw food to pets.
Keep cats indoors.
Prevent dogs from hunting or scavenging birds.
Stay informed about pet food recalls.
Knopp, who has been sharing her story online, hopes to raise awareness. “Their deaths get to mean something,” she said of her lost pets. “It can save other animals. It can save some people grief.”
As the outbreak unfolds, pet owners are left with one pressing question—how safe is the food they’re feeding their beloved companions?
(Source: The Guardian)
