Why More House Cats Are Getting Sick – The Surprising Link Between Popular Pet Foods and Bird Flu

By Searchpanda - January 25, 2025

Recent investigations have confirmed over two dozen cases of bird flu in domestic cats across the United States since early December, marking a disturbing trend that has linked several of these cases to the consumption of raw pet food products. Notably, this includes the first instances where commercially available pet food has been implicated in the transmission of the H5N1 virus to cats, illustrating a clear and present risk within the pet food supply chain.

The response to these outbreaks has been swift and decisive. Federal officials, alarmed by the spread of the virus among pets, have introduced new safety regulations for pet food manufacturing and enhanced surveillance measures across poultry farms. These actions underscore the gravity of the situation and the need for heightened vigilance in monitoring pet food products.

Why More House Cats Are Getting Sick: The Surprising Link Between Popular Pet Foods and Bird Flu
Unveiling the Risk: How Raw Pet Food Could Be Spreading Bird Flu to Cats

Unpacking the Transmission of Bird Flu to Cats

Dr. Steve Grube, a chief medical officer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), highlighted in a recent briefing that bird flu is considered “an emerging contaminant in animal food.” This acknowledgment came as experts pieced together how domestic cats, many of whom are indoor pets with no direct contact with wildlife or farm animals, ended up contracting the virus. The link led back to raw, frozen pet foods and unpasteurized milk, which were found to contain high levels of the virus.

For instance, in Oregon, a pet cat succumbed to the bird flu after ingesting raw, frozen pet food from Northwest Naturals. This incident was particularly alarming as genetic analysis confirmed that the virus in the cat matched that found in the pet food sample. Similarly, in California, multiple cats were infected, and some fatalities were reported after the animals consumed raw pet food from different manufacturers, including Monarch Raw Pet Food.

Why More House Cats Are Getting Sick: The Surprising Link Between Popular Pet Foods and Bird Flu
From the Farm to the Feline: Tracing the Source of Cat Bird Flu Infections

The Industry’s Response to Bird Flu Contamination

These troubling developments prompted immediate action from pet food manufacturers. Northwest Naturals, for example, issued a voluntary recall of its implicated products to prevent further spread of the virus. The company, along with others in the industry, has faced intense scrutiny over the safety and integrity of their food processing practices. In statements, these companies have expressed their commitment to rigorous quality control and the implementation of comprehensive food safety plans.

However, as Phyllis Entis, a food safety microbiologist and author, notes, while most commercial pet foods undergo cooking or heat-treatment processes sufficient to inactivate the virus, the raw pet food segment remains particularly vulnerable due to its lack of heat treatment. This segment, therefore, poses a higher risk and requires stringent control measures to ensure safety.

Why More House Cats Are Getting Sick: The Surprising Link Between Popular Pet Foods and Bird Flu
Safety on the Line: The Hidden Dangers of Raw Pet Food Explored

Looking Ahead – Preventative Measures and Owner Education

In light of these events, the FDA’s new regulations require that pet food manufacturers that use raw ingredients update their food safety plans to better account for the potential hazards of bird flu. This regulatory shift aims to foster more robust safety protocols and ensure that pet foods are free from dangerous pathogens.

For pet owners, the advice from experts is clear: avoid feeding raw milk, meat, or poultry to pets. Cooking these foods can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting the bird flu virus. Pet owners are also encouraged to educate themselves about the origins and processing of the pet foods they purchase, fostering a safer feeding environment for their animals.