The recent death of a house cat in Oregon and a pet food recall have brought attention to the ongoing outbreak of bird flu and the importance of protecting pets from the virus.
Bird flu, which has been spreading among various animals for years, was first confirmed in U.S. dairy cattle in March. While the virus has caused mostly mild illnesses in people, those infected have typically worked on dairy or poultry farms. To prevent the spread of the disease, every bird on an affected farm is culled.
Oregon health officials linked the cat's illness to frozen cat food containing raw turkey. The virus found in the recalled pet food matched the one that infected the cat. Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association, warned against feeding pets raw meat, emphasizing that cooking meat or pasteurizing raw milk can destroy the bird flu virus and other harmful germs.
Are pets at risk of contracting bird flu?
While cases of bird flu in pets are rare, cats appear to be more susceptible to the virus, particularly Type A H5N1. Cats, including indoor, barn, feral, and big cats in zoos, have been affected by the virus since the cattle outbreak in March. Dogs, on the other hand, seem to be less vulnerable but should still consume thoroughly cooked foods.
Protecting your cat from bird flu
To safeguard your cat from bird flu, avoid feeding them unpasteurized dairy products or raw meat. Keep cats away from wild birds, livestock, and poultry, and prevent them from freely roaming outdoors to minimize exposure to potential carriers of the virus.
Watch out for symptoms of bird flu in cats, such as loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, red or inflamed eyes, nasal discharge, breathing difficulties, tremors, or seizures. If your cat displays these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately and isolate the cat from individuals with weakened immune systems.
Recalled pet food
Northwest Naturals, a pet food company based in Portland, Oregon, issued a voluntary recall of a batch of its 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after testing positive for the bird flu virus. The product was distributed in several U.S. states and Canada, with specific expiration dates. Consumers who purchased the recalled product should discard it and seek a refund from the retailer.
