A recent death of an Oregon house cat and a pet food recall have raised questions about the ongoing bird flu outbreak and its impact on pets. The virus has been spreading among wild birds, chickens, and turkeys for years and has also caused sporadic illnesses in people working in dairy or poultry farms.
According to health officials, the cat’s illness was linked to frozen cat food containing raw turkey, which contained the same virus found in the recalled pet food. Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association, warns that feeding pets raw meat can be dangerous and even fatal.
“Raw milk, raw meat products can be a vector for carrying this virus,” he said. Cats are particularly susceptible to the bird flu virus, also known as Type A H5N1. Since March, dozens of cats have contracted the virus, including barn and feral cats, indoor cats, and big cats in zoos.
To protect your cat from bird flu, it’s essential to keep them away from wild birds, livestock, and poultry. Don’t let them wander freely outdoors, as they may come into contact with infected animals. Also, avoid touching sick or dead birds yourself and wash your hands thoroughly after handling poultry or animals.
If you suspect your cat is showing symptoms of bird flu, such as loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, reddened eyes, discharge from the nose, difficulty breathing, tremors, or seizures, contact your veterinary clinic immediately. Keep the cat away from anyone with a weakened immune system.
A recent recall by Northwest Naturals has affected pet food sold in multiple states and Canada. The recalled product contains raw turkey and “best if used by” dates of May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026. Consumers should throw it away and contact the place of purchase for a refund.
Source: https://www.kxan.com/news/national-news/cats-can-get-sick-with-bird-flu-heres-how-to-protect-them