Raw Cat Food Linked to Bird Flu — A Vet Shares How to Protect Your Pets From the Virus | Global News Avenue

one Northwest Naturals raw cat food recalled due to avian influenza (bird flu or H5N1) contaminationa cat has died, causing pet owners to be on high alert about the virus.

“We believe the cat contracted the H5N1 virus through consumption of Northwest Naturals fresh and frozen pet food,” said Dr. Ryan Scholz, state veterinarian with the Oregon Department of Agriculture. said in a press release. “The cat was technically an indoor cat; it had not been exposed to the virus in the environment, and the genome sequencing results confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food was an exact match to the infected cat.”

Recalled items is a 2 pound turkey turkey recipe with best by dates of May 21, 2026 and June 23, 2026.

late December, Los Angeles County releases statement Pet owners are urged to avoid products from other pet food companies, Junsheng pet foodOfficials said product samples detected the virus, which is particularly deadly to felines.

“A domestic cat that consumed this product has been confirmed positive for H5 avian influenza,” the Los Angeles County statement reads. “Four other domestic cats in the same household were also presumed infected with H5 avian influenza after consuming this product. ”

Here’s everything you need to know about your pets and bird flu.

Are cats at higher risk of contracting avian influenza?

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

However, despite this alarming statistic, it is still rare for cats to become infected with this virus, and cat owners can take precautions to keep their pets safe.

How do pets become infected with avian influenza?

Bird flu is spread from the bodies of infected animals Saliva, mucus and feces. But time is an important factor when discussing how long the virus remains active in saliva, mucus and feces.

“Moisture can also increase the viability of an organism if it’s fresh and moist,” says Athema Etzioni, a veterinary clinical pathologist at Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. “So as long as there is moisture, there will still be viable bacteria. But if that “With organisms dry on any surface, the number of (viruses) that can still be transmitted is limited.”

Pets outside the home can also become infected by eating or coming into contact with birds infected with avian influenza. Feeding your pet a raw diet can also increase their risk of contracting viruses. However, cats are still more likely to contract the virus than dogs, according to the agency. American Veterinary Medical Association.

“The ideal is to bring (the food) to whatever cooking temperature it is and cook it long enough to kill the microorganisms,” Etzioni said. For example, poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate any possible avian influenza contamination.

How to protect your pets from bird flu?

Experts say one of the best ways to protect cats from bird flu is to keep them indoors. This can reduce the risk by reducing their contact with wild birds or other animals that may be infected with the virus. Many people, including Etzioni, also don’t recommend that your pet eat a raw diet.

Read more: More raw milk recalled due to bird flu, how to stay safe

There is currently no vaccine to protect cats from avian influenza.

What does avian influenza look like in pets?

According to the AVMA, cats and dogs may experience the same symptoms if infected with the virus. These symptoms include, but are not limited to, drowsiness, loss of appetite, eye inflammation, and eye discharge.

“If it progresses to the nervous system, they may also start circling, which is something birds can do,” Etzioni said. Other neurological symptoms may include seizures and lack of coordination.

If you suspect your pet has avian influenza, contact your veterinarian immediately. And if you plan to take your pet to the vet, Etzioni says, you must tell your veterinarian you are concerned about bird flu so staff can take the necessary precautions to keep them and other pets coming to the clinic safe safety.

The CDC says the chance of your pet catching bird flu is very low, but it’s not entirely impossible. Therefore, if your pet does become infected, monitor yourself for symptoms and contact your doctor if symptoms become severe.

Read more: First human death from bird flu in U.S.