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

A raw cat food item from Northwest Naturals was recalled due to an avian influenza (bird flu or H5N1) contamination, and one cat has since died, causing pet owners to be on high alert regarding the virus.

“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” Oregon Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz said in a press release. “This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other.”

The recalled item was the 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe with best by dates of 05/21/26 and 06/23/2026. 

In late December, Los Angeles County released a statement urging pet owners to avoid products from another pet food company, Monarch Raw Pet Food, after officials said that samples of the products detected the virus, which can be especially deadly to felines. 

“A house cat that consumed this product has been confirmed H5 bird flu positive,” the Los Angeles County statement reads. “Four other house cats from the same household are presumed to have also been positive for H5 bird flu after consuming the product.” 

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

Are cats at higher risk for bird flu?

Although both cats and dogs can contract the virus, cats have a higher mortality rate (around 67%) when infected, according to the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health. 

However, despite that alarming statistic, it is still rare for cats to contract the virus, and there are preventative measures cat owners can take to keep their pets safe. 

How do pets get infected with bird flu?

Bird flu is transmitted from an infected animal’s saliva, mucous and feces. But time is an important factor when discussing how long the virus stays active in the saliva, mucous and feces.

“If it’s fresh and moist, moisture can also increase the viability of organisms,” Athema Etzioni, veterinary clinical pathologist at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, says. “So as long as there’s moisture involved, then there’s going to still be living bacteria. But if that organism dries out on whatever surface, then it’s limited to how much [of the virus] can still be transmitted.”

Pets that go outdoors can also contract the virus from eating or touching a bird that is infected with bird flu. Feeding your pet a raw food diet also increases the risk of them contracting the virus. However, it is still more likely for cats to catch the virus than dogs, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

“The ideal thing is to get [food] to whatever that cooked temperature is and cook it long enough to kill the organism,” Etzioni says. For example, poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees F to cook out any possible bird flu contamination.

How to protect your pet from bird flu?

Experts say one of the best ways to protect your cat from bird flu is to keep them indoors. This mitigates the risks by lessening their exposure to wild birds or other animals that may have contracted the virus. Many, including Etzioni, also do not recommend raw food diets for your pets. 

Read more: How to Stay Safe Now That More Raw Milk Has Been Recalled Due to Bird Flu

There is currently no vaccine to protect cats against bird flu.

What does bird flu look like in pets?

According to the AVMA, both cats and dogs may present the same symptoms if they become infected with the virus. The symptoms include, but are not limited to, lethargy, loss of appetite, inflamed eyes and discharge from the eyes. 

“If it goes neurologic, they may also begin to circle, which is something that birds can do as well,” Etzioni says. Other neurologic signs may include seizures and incoordination. 

If you suspect your pet has contracted bird flu, contact your veterinarian immediately. And, if you plan to bring your pet into the vet, Etzioni says it is imperative that you tell your veterinarian there is concern of bird flu so the staff can take the necessary precautions in order to keep them and other pets who visit the practice safe. 

The CDC says the likelihood of your pet giving you bird flu is very low, but it is not entirely impossible. So if your pet does become infected, monitor yourself for symptoms as well and contact your doctor if they become severe. 

Read more: The First Human Bird Flu Death Has Occurred in the United States