Feline Friends & Bird Flu: A Growing Concern for Pet Owners
Table of Contents
- 1. Feline Friends & Bird Flu: A Growing Concern for Pet Owners
- 2. What steps can pet owners take to minimize the risk of their cats contracting bird flu through their diet?
- 3. Feline Friends & Bird Flu: A Growing Concern for Pet Owners
- 4. Interview with Dr. Emily Carter, DVM, Veterinary Infectious Disease Specialist
- 5. Archyde: Dr. Carter, thanks for joining us. can you explain the threat bird flu poses to cats, specifically?
Dr. Carter:
Avian influenza,or bird flu, is a highly contagious virus that has been impacting bird populations for some time now. Recently, we’ve seen instances of cats contracting this virus, primarily through consumption of contaminated raw pet food or unpasteurized milk. The H5N1 strain of bird flu can be particularly dangerous for cats, sometimes leading to severe illness and even death.Archyde: The FDA has issued a warning regarding raw pet food. What’s the specific concern, and what steps should pet owners take?
Dr. Carter:
The FDA is rightly concerned about the potential for raw pet food to carry the H5N1 virus if the ingredients, like meat or milk, have come into contact with infected birds. Pet owners should consider thoroughly cooking their pets’ raw food to minimize the risk of transmission. While some manufacturers are implementing safety measures like high-pressure processing, cooking remains the most reliable way to ensure the food is safe.Archyde: What about cats who get their food commercially? Are they at risk?
Dr. Carter:
The risk, while present, is lower for cats eating commercially prepared food. However, it’s essential to ensure the food comes from a reputable brand that takes stringent safety measures. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on any changes in your cat’s health or appetite and consult your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual.Archyde: Should pet owners be worried about bird flu spreading to their cats through casual contact?
Dr. Carter:
The risk of transmission through casual contact with infected birds or surfaces is considered relatively low. However, it’s always wise to practice good hygiene, washing your hands after handling birds or their droppings, and keeping your cat’s litter box clean.Archyde: What advice would you give to pet owners who are concerned about bird flu affecting their cats?
- 6. Archyde: Thank you for your time,Dr. Carter.
A new threat to our furry companions has emerged: avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. Recent reports of cats becoming gravely ill or even dying after consuming raw pet food or milk contaminated with the virus have prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to sound the alarm.
The FDA has issued a strong warning to pet food manufacturers, urging them to take extra precautions in sourcing their ingredients. They recommend using healthy animals for meat and utilizing heat treatment processes to effectively eliminate any potential viruses.
But the responsibility doesn’t solely lie with manufacturers. Pet owners are also being advised to cook their pet’s raw food to minimize the risk of H5N1 transmission.
“There have been several recent investigations indicating transmission of H5N1 to cats through food, most frequently enough unpasteurized milk or uncooked meats,” the FDA warned. “H5N1 can be deadly to cats, as well as dogs, so we encourage consumers to carefully consider the risk of this emerging pathogen before feeding their pets uncooked meat or an uncooked pet food product.”
The highly contagious H5N1 virus has spread rapidly to birds across all 50 U.S. states since 2022. Cats seem notably vulnerable, with cases detected in both domestic and feral populations. Investigations have linked some feline illnesses to contaminated raw milk or pet food.
Dr. Jane Sykes, a professor of small animal internal medicine at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, acknowledges the FDA’s guidance but emphasizes the need for more specific instructions. “It doesn’t have any strict instructions on how to ensure there is no H5N1 in the foods,” she told NBC News.
While the FDA recommends cooking pet food as a safe practice, the agency’s guidance is currently voluntary.This leaves the responsibility of implementing safety measures in the hands of individual pet food companies.
“The companies have to decide what they want to do,” said Dr. J.Scott Weese, director of the Center for Public Health and Zoonoses at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. “The FDA tries to stay away from dictating practices. This is a first step. If there are more cases,they may take stronger steps.”
Some pet food companies are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of their products.Instinct, a St. Louis-based raw pet food manufacturer, is using high-pressure processing (HPP) to eliminate pathogens.
“Like the FDA, we recognize the risks of the Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and have processes in place to mitigate that risk,” said Brock Zentz, the senior director of food safety and quality at Instinct, in an email to NBC News.
However, experts caution that HPP may not completely eradicate the virus.”It’s better than nothing, but if you want to be really confident, cooking is the only sure thing,” concluded Dr.Weese.
more information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers updates on bird flu:
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/index.html
SOURCE: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, voluntary guidance, Jan.17,2025; NBC News
What steps can pet owners take to minimize the risk of their cats contracting bird flu through their diet?
Feline Friends & Bird Flu: A Growing Concern for Pet Owners
Interview with Dr. Emily Carter, DVM, Veterinary Infectious Disease Specialist
With recent reports of cats becoming seriously ill from bird flu, pet owners are understandably concerned. We spoke with Dr. Emily Carter, a DVM and Veterinary Infectious Disease Specialist, to get her insights on this emerging threat and what pet owners can do to protect their furry friends.
Archyde: Dr. Carter, thanks for joining us. can you explain the threat bird flu poses to cats, specifically?
Dr. Carter:
Avian influenza,or bird flu, is a highly contagious virus that has been impacting bird populations for some time now. Recently, we’ve seen instances of cats contracting this virus, primarily through consumption of contaminated raw pet food or unpasteurized milk. The H5N1 strain of bird flu can be particularly dangerous for cats, sometimes leading to severe illness and even death.
Archyde: The FDA has issued a warning regarding raw pet food. What’s the specific concern, and what steps should pet owners take?
Dr. Carter:
The FDA is rightly concerned about the potential for raw pet food to carry the H5N1 virus if the ingredients, like meat or milk, have come into contact with infected birds. Pet owners should consider thoroughly cooking their pets’ raw food to minimize the risk of transmission. While some manufacturers are implementing safety measures like high-pressure processing, cooking remains the most reliable way to ensure the food is safe.
Archyde: What about cats who get their food commercially? Are they at risk?
Dr. Carter:
The risk, while present, is lower for cats eating commercially prepared food. However, it’s essential to ensure the food comes from a reputable brand that takes stringent safety measures. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on any changes in your cat’s health or appetite and consult your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual.
Archyde: Should pet owners be worried about bird flu spreading to their cats through casual contact?
Dr. Carter:
The risk of transmission through casual contact with infected birds or surfaces is considered relatively low. However, it’s always wise to practice good hygiene, washing your hands after handling birds or their droppings, and keeping your cat’s litter box clean.
Archyde: What advice would you give to pet owners who are concerned about bird flu affecting their cats?
Dr. Carter:
Stay informed about the latest developments from reputable sources like the CDC. Follow the guidelines provided by the FDA regarding pet food safety. Practice good hygiene. If you notice any worrying symptoms in your cat,consult your veterinarian immediately.
Archyde: Thank you for your time,Dr. Carter.
Dr. Carter:
You’re welcome.
Dr. Carter:
The FDA is rightly concerned about the potential for raw pet food to carry the H5N1 virus if the ingredients, like meat or milk, have come into contact with infected birds. Pet owners should consider thoroughly cooking their pets’ raw food to minimize the risk of transmission. While some manufacturers are implementing safety measures like high-pressure processing, cooking remains the most reliable way to ensure the food is safe.
Archyde: What about cats who get their food commercially? Are they at risk?
Dr. Carter:
The risk, while present, is lower for cats eating commercially prepared food. However, it’s essential to ensure the food comes from a reputable brand that takes stringent safety measures. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on any changes in your cat’s health or appetite and consult your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual.
Archyde: Should pet owners be worried about bird flu spreading to their cats through casual contact?
Dr. Carter:
The risk of transmission through casual contact with infected birds or surfaces is considered relatively low. However, it’s always wise to practice good hygiene, washing your hands after handling birds or their droppings, and keeping your cat’s litter box clean.
Archyde: What advice would you give to pet owners who are concerned about bird flu affecting their cats?
Dr. Carter:
Stay informed about the latest developments from reputable sources like the CDC. Follow the guidelines provided by the FDA regarding pet food safety. Practice good hygiene. If you notice any worrying symptoms in your cat,consult your veterinarian immediately.
Archyde: Thank you for your time,Dr. Carter.
Dr. Carter:
You’re welcome.
Dr. Carter:
The risk of transmission through casual contact with infected birds or surfaces is considered relatively low. However, it’s always wise to practice good hygiene, washing your hands after handling birds or their droppings, and keeping your cat’s litter box clean.
Archyde: What advice would you give to pet owners who are concerned about bird flu affecting their cats?
Dr. Carter:
Stay informed about the latest developments from reputable sources like the CDC. Follow the guidelines provided by the FDA regarding pet food safety. Practice good hygiene. If you notice any worrying symptoms in your cat,consult your veterinarian immediately.
Archyde: Thank you for your time,Dr. Carter.
Dr. Carter:
You’re welcome.
