A series of nationwide pet food recalls has been triggered after multiple cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, were detected in domestic cats that consumed contaminated raw pet food products.
The most recent recall involves California-based Savage Pet, which has pulled one lot of its raw chicken products from distribution after they were linked to bird flu infections in two cats in New York City, with a third cat suspected of infection. The recalled products, stamped with lot code and best-by date 11152026, were distributed across California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington state.
This follows a December 2024 recall by Northwest Naturals of its Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food with sell-by dates between May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026, after tests confirmed H5N1 contamination. The recall was initiated after an indoor cat in Oregon died from bird flu infection traced to the contaminated food.
Confirmed Transmission Through Pet Food
State health officials have established a direct link between the contaminated pet food and the infected animals. In the Oregon case, Dr. Ryan Scholz, State Veterinarian, confirmed: "This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other."
Similarly, in New York City, one cat that consumed Savage Pet's raw chicken product became ill and died, with preliminary tests detecting traces of bird flu. A second cat, which did not eat the food but was exposed to another sick cat, also died after testing positive for bird flu, suggesting possible cat-to-cat transmission.
Growing Concerns About Zoonotic Potential
These cases come amid increasing concern about the potential for bird flu to spread between species. A recent study highlighted that cats could serve as carriers of the virus, being susceptible to infection through contaminated food or contact with infected birds.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently identified the first severe human case of H5N1 bird flu in the United States during this outbreak. The individual, hospitalized in Louisiana, was potentially exposed through a backyard poultry flock.
Expert Recommendations
Dr. Jarra Jagne, a veterinary expert at Cornell University, strongly advises pet owners against feeding animals raw or unpasteurized food due to the risk of bird flu and other pathogens such as salmonella, listeria, and E. coli.
"I wouldn't give my animals raw anything," she stated. "It's all about cooking."
Recall Response and Consumer Advice
Consumers who have purchased the affected products are advised to discard them immediately. Northwest Naturals has established a refund process, with customers able to contact the company at 866-637-1872.
Health officials are monitoring households with affected pets for any signs of bird flu symptoms, though no human cases related to pet exposure have been reported thus far.
Broader Pattern of Contamination
These recalls are part of a concerning pattern. Wild Coast Raw's frozen boneless raw chicken cat food was also recently recalled after being linked to cat deaths in Oregon and Washington.
The recurring contamination of raw pet food products highlights the vulnerability of the pet food supply chain to the ongoing bird flu outbreak affecting poultry across North America. It also underscores the potential risks of the raw pet food trend, which has gained popularity in recent years despite warnings from veterinary professionals about pathogen risks.
Public Health Implications
As bird flu continues to evolve and spread across species, public health officials are intensifying surveillance efforts. Research from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte suggests that the virus is changing rapidly and could potentially become more dangerous to humans.
The pet food contamination cases represent a concerning development in the epidemiology of H5N1, demonstrating clear pathways for the virus to enter domestic settings even without direct contact with infected wild birds or poultry.
Health authorities continue to emphasize that while the risk to the general public remains low, the situation requires vigilance, particularly among those with close contact with infected animals or contaminated products.
