The death of a pet cat in Oregon and a pet food recall raise questions about the ongoing outbreak of bird flu and how people can protect their pets.
Avian influenza has been prevalent among wild birds for many years. chicken, turkey and many other animals. It was first confirmed in dairy cows in the United States in March.
The virus is causing sporadic symptoms, but primarily mild illness in people In the United States, nearly all infected people worked on dairy or poultry farms. Once the virus is discovered, all birds on the farm are killed to reduce the spread of the disease.
The Oregon Health Authority has traced the cat's illness to frozen cat food containing raw turkey. Virus was recovered from recalled pet food and matched to infected cats.
Some pet owners feed their animals raw meat, which can be dangerous and even fatal to the animals, said Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Cooking meat and pasteurizing raw milk destroys avian influenza viruses and other pathogens.
“Raw milk and raw meat products can and do transmit this virus,” he said.
Are pets at risk of contracting bird flu?
Although cases of infection are rare, cats appear to be particularly susceptible to the avian influenza virus, or type A H5N1. Even before the outbreak of cattle infections, there were cases of cat infections associated with wild birds and poultry.
Dozens of cats have been infected with the virus since March. These include barn and feral cats, indoor cats, zoo and wild big cats.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating the deaths of four domestic cats who drank recalled raw milk.
Dogs don't seem to be as vulnerable as cats, but they should only eat fully cooked food, Bailey says.
How can I protect my cat from bird flu?
Cats should not drink unpasteurized dairy products or eat raw meat. Pet owners should keep cats away from wild birds, livestock, and poultry.
Don't let them roam freely outdoors, says Mr. Bailey. “Because you don't know what they're doing. Cats are natural hunters, and one of the animals they like to hunt is birds.”
Avoid touching sick or dead birds yourself. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling poultry or animals.
What are the symptoms of bird flu in cats?
Cats with avian influenza may experience loss of appetite, lethargy, and fever.
If your cat is normally playful and likes to look out the window, but is always sleeping or hiding from you, be careful, says Bailey.
“Something is wrong,” he said.
Your eyes may become red or inflamed, and you may have discharge from your eyes or nose. You may have difficulty breathing, tremors, or seizures.
If your cat is sick, contact your veterinarian and keep your cat away from people with weakened immune systems.
What pet food has been recalled?
Northwest Naturals, a pet food company in Portland, Oregon, announced Tuesday that it is voluntarily recalling one 2-pound lot of Cat Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after testing positive for the virus.
The product was sold in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and British Columbia, Canada.
The “best before” dates of the recalled foods are May 21, 2026 and June 23, 2026.
Consumers should throw it away and contact the store of purchase for a refund.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Education Media Group. AP is solely responsible for all content.
