Avian flu is a growing threat to pets – here’s how to protect your furry friends

The death of a cat in an Oregon home and a pet food recall are raising questions about the ongoing bird flu outbreak and how people can protect their pets.

Avian flu has spread to wild birds, chickens, turkeys and many other animals for years.

The virus has caused sporadic, mostly mild illness in people in the US, and almost all of those infected worked on dairy or poultry farms. When the virus is detected, every bird on a farm is killed to limit the spread of the disease.

Oregon health officials traced the feline illness to frozen cat food that contained raw turkey. The virus recovered from the recalled pet food and the infected cat matched.

Some pet owners feed their animals raw meat, but this can be dangerous, even fatal for the animals, said Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Cooking meat or pasteurizing raw milk destroys the bird flu virus and other disease-causing germs.

“Raw milk, raw meat products can be and are a vector for carrying this virus,” he said.

Are pets at risk of bird flu?

Although cases of infection are rare, cats seem particularly susceptible to the bird flu virus, or type A H5N1. Even before the cattle outbreak, there were cases of cats associated with wild fowl or poultry.

Since March, dozens of cats have contracted the virus. These include barn and feral cats, indoor cats and big cats in zoos and in the wild.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating the deaths of four domestic cats that drank raw milk.

Dogs seem to be less susceptible than cats, but they should eat only thoroughly cooked foods, Bailey said.

How can I protect my cat from bird flu?

Cats should not drink unpasteurized dairy products or eat raw meat. Pet owners should keep cats away from wild birds, livestock and poultry.

Don’t let them roam free outside, Bailey said, “because you don’t know what they’re getting into. Cats are natural hunters, and one of the animals they love to hunt is birds

Avoid touching sick or dead birds yourself. Wash hands thoroughly after handling poultry or animals.

What are the symptoms of bird flu in cats?

Cats sick with bird flu may experience loss of appetite, lethargy and fever.

If your cat is usually playful and likes to look out the window, but instead has been sleeping the entire time or hiding from you, take note, Bailey said.

“There’s something wrong,” he said.

They may have red or inflamed eyes and discharge from the eyes and nose. They may have difficulty breathing or have tremors or seizures.

If your cat is sick, call your veterinary clinic and keep the cat away from anyone with a weakened immune system.

What pet food did you remember?

Northwest Naturals, a pet food company in Portland, Oregon, announced a voluntary recall Tuesday of a 2-pound batch of its Feline Turkey frozen pet food after it tested positive for the virus.

The product was sold in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, as well as in British Columbia, Canada.

The recalled food has “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.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science Media and Education Group. AP is solely responsible for all content.