Cat Dies from Bird Flu After Eating Contaminated Food

A cat in California has tragically fallen ill from bird flu after consuming a type of raw cat food, and ultimately had to be euthanized, according to a statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA noted that the cat became sick after eating RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats sliders, which were found to be contaminated with an H5N1 strain of avian influenza.

This specific strain was identified by health authorities in San Francisco during genetic testing of various lots of the cat food, particularly lots CCS 25 077 and CCS 25 093. Initial tests were conducted on the food linked to the sick cat before investigators expanded their testing to include additional retail samples, which also showed positive results for the virus.

While the FDA has not confirmed if any other cats have been affected by this food, they stated that no human cases related to the product have been reported.

RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats comes in frozen, resealable 2.5-pound bags that contain 40 sliders—each one ounce in size. The bags are recognizable by their yellow and white coloring with black lettering, and each lot has a unique code.

Although the FDA has not issued a formal recall of the product, they are actively investigating the situation. Meanwhile, RAWR has taken steps to withdraw the affected lots from the market.

Bird flu poses a significant health risk to house cats, along with birds and larger felines. While dogs can also contract bird flu, they tend to exhibit less severe symptoms compared to cats, according to the FDA.

Animals that are particularly vulnerable to the virus include very young or old pets, as well as those with compromised immune systems. The FDA advises pet owners to seek veterinary help if their pets show symptoms like fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, inflamed or reddened eyes, discharge from the eyes or nose, breathing difficulties, or neurological signs such as tremors or seizures.

Additionally, the FDA recommends that those handling raw pet food maintain good hygiene by washing their hands and sanitizing any surfaces that come into contact with the food.