The Food and Drug Administration reports that more than 12 cats have died or been sickened from bird flu, which is spreading through raw food products. This has prompted a federal investigation into how the virus entered the pet food supply.
The FDA has received reports of uncooked food causing death or illness in 13 domestic cats from eight households, one exotic cat from one household, and an unknown amount of animals in two large felid sanctuaries, according to an FDA official.
The FDA reported that cases have occurred in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.
Officially, investigators are working to track back the outbreaks. Testing is under way but it could take several weeks for results to be available to pinpoint the source.
Uncertainty surrounds the spread of the virus into pet food. Taxpayers funded record numbers to be culled of poultry in an attempt to stop bird flu outbreaks. U.S. officials announced this month that meat from these birds cannot be used in pet food.
The USDA does not allow any affected flocks to be used in food products. As part of efforts to reduce the spread of the virus, they are composted most often on-site, Eric Deeble told reporters.
Although the bird flu virus has been able to spare many humans and cows from severe illness or death, it is particularly lethal for cats.
The FDA responded by ordering that manufacturers of uncooked dog and cat food take action to stop the spread.
Raw pet food: Potential dangers
The U.S. market for pet food is dominated by raw and minimally processed foods. However, the consulting firm OC&C reported last year that the market has seen “rapid” growth.
The American Animal Hospital Association does not recommend feeding pets raw proteins. The group warns that “overwhelming evidence” indicates that it puts both animals and humans at risk.
To comply with these new requirements, food producers will either have to begin cooking their products to reduce the risk or find another way to do so in their plans for food safety.
The FDA said that as it learns more about H5N1 and its transmission in animal foods, it encourages pet food producers and other people in the supply chain in the supply to take several steps to minimize or prevent the spread of the virus through animal feed.
A bird flu strain was detected in pet food and a cat was infected with the virus, prompting the federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (AFPIS) to increase its oversight of turkey slaughter.
APHIS has said that under the program, turkeys will be required to undergo extra testing and isolation in certain states before they can be slaughtered.
After an investigation into cat deaths, California health officials warned last year against feeding recalled raw milk to pets and Monarch Raw Pet Food – a local brand of raw pet food. Monarch denies the allegations, saying that there is no “credible evidence” to suggest their products are responsible.
Oregon’s Agriculture Department also warned about an outbreak that was also linked to Northwest Naturals raw turkey pet food, sold in 12 states and Canada. Oregon officials confirmed to the media this month that the FDA was in charge of the investigation.
Bird flu outbreaks among poultry and dairy herds
In recent years, U.S. officials have warned farmers to be prepared for a spike in the number of outbreaks as wild birds from Canada migrate south.
Officials in the United States say that this winter’s migration began around a month later than usual. This was delayed when the bird flu outbreak hit hard on farmers.
Alex Turner, USDA’s National Incident Coordinator for the outbreak, said, “Apparently, it was a seasonally warm autumn and early winter in the north. This kept many of these birds co-mingling together before they began their fall migration.”
Turner expects that the bird flu surge will subside a month after the migration when the virus levels in the air start to decrease.
Turner said that now that the birds are settling in for winter, they will be less exposed and prone to migratory movements.
The outbreaks are on top of a similar strain that has been affecting dairy herds since 2023. In some cases, the virus spread from cows back to nearby poultry farms.
That may be what happened in Northwest Naturals. Oregon’s agriculture department said the strain in the turkey product was B3.13, the same as the bird flu virus fueling the dairy outbreaks.
