Cat Owners Alerted: Bird Flu Risk Prompts Pet Food Recall

Cat owners, take note: A popular pet food brand has been recalled over concerns it may be contaminated with H5N1, commonly known as bird flu. Savage Pet of El Cajon, California, has issued a recall for 66 large chicken boxes (84 oz.) and 74 small chicken boxes (21 oz.) with the lot code and "best by" date of 11.15.2026, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

The recalled products were distributed to retailers in five states: California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, the FDA reported. This isn't just a precautionary tale for felines; the FDA also warns humans handling raw pet food to practice strict hygiene, as the virus could potentially infect people through contact with their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Symptoms of bird flu in cats include fever, lethargy, low appetite, inflamed eyes, nasal discharge, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs such as seizures or tremors. Pet owners noticing these symptoms in their cats after consuming the affected food are urged to contact their veterinarian immediately. For humans, potential symptoms range from eye irritation and respiratory issues to fever and even seizures. The FDA strongly advises regular handwashing and cleaning of surfaces after handling the products.

In February, Savage Pet confirmed that a cat in Colorado contracted H5N1 after consuming one of its products. The cat fell ill but eventually recovered. PCR testing conducted at Colorado State University on sealed packets of the food returned "non-negative" results, leading to further investigation. Virus isolation testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory later came back negative, but the recall was initiated as a precautionary measure.

More recently, a kitten in New York that consumed the same lot of food was diagnosed with avian flu, prompting ongoing testing. The New York City Health Department also reported a concerning chain of events involving three cats. One cat died after eating the recalled food, another succumbed to the virus after being exposed to a sick cat, and a third, which had consumed the food, survived but was not tested due to the passage of time.

In light of these incidents, Savage Pet has expanded its market withdrawal to a full recall for maximum safety. The affected products, distributed in November 2024, are packaged in cardboard boxes containing individual plastic packets. The lot code and "best by" date are stamped on both the box and the packets.

Previous studies have indicated the possibility of H5N1 transmission among cats, and these new reports appear to support that claim. For now, both cat owners and health officials remain on high alert, with further testing and investigations underway.