Health officials are sounding the alarm following the death of a house cat in Oregon due to bird flu, leading to the recall of contaminated pet food and heightened concerns for pet owners. The tragedy unfolded when the cat consumed raw frozen food from Northwest Naturals, prompting the Portland-based company to issue a nationwide voluntary recall for its Feline Turkey Recipe product.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture confirmed the cat’s death, which was linked to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as H5N1. Laboratory testing conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Oregon State University affirmed the cat had contracted the virus via the contaminated food. The infected product was distributed across several states, including Washington, Arizona, Rhode Island, Georgia, and Maryland, as well as in British Columbia, Canada.
Ryan Scholz, the state veterinarian with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, stated, “We are confident this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food.” He also pointed out, “This cat was strictly an indoor cat. It was not exposed to the virus in its environment.” The public health interest is particularly significant, as it draws attention to the dangers of feeding raw food to pets.
The recalled products have “best if used by” dates ranging from May 21, 2026, to June 23, 2026. Consumers who may have purchased the affected food are advised to dispose of it immediately and seek refunds from their place of purchase. Interestingly, no human cases of bird flu have been connected to this incident, but local health authorities are monitoring symptoms among people who lived with the affected cat.
Bird flu has circulated among wild birds for years and has recently begun causing sporadic infections among domestic animals. Although the disease primarily afflicts birds, it has shown the potential to infect mammals, leading to concern among pet owners and wildlife researchers alike. Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association, cautions, “Raw milk, raw meat products can be and are a vector for carrying this virus.” He emphasizes the importance of fully cooking meats and pasteurizing dairy products to eradicate such pathogens.
Pet owners are left wondering how to keep their cats safe from this worrying outbreak. Experts recommend avoiding feeding cats raw meat and prohibit access to wild birds, poultry, or livestock. Dr. Bailey suggests keeping cats indoors to reduce their exposure to potentially infected wildlife. He added, “Cats are natural hunters, and one of the animals they love to hunt are birds.” This risk is compounded by the general rising concerns over the spread of bird flu, especially after notifications of infection among various species.
The situation has become even more pressing following reports from California, where Governor Gavin Newsom recently declared a state of emergency due to bird flu outbreaks among dairy cattle. Similarly, the Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington reported the loss of 20 of its big cats from bird flu within just one month. The sanctuary is now under quarantine to protect its remaining animals, reinforcing the severity of the virus for felines.
The Wild Felid center stated, “Our sanctuary is under quarantine to protect our remaining animals and prevent the spread.” Affected animals include cougars and tigers, which are particularly vulnerable, especially as the virus can lead to rapid deterioration from mild illness to pneumonia within 24 hours.
Symptoms of bird flu infection can include loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, trouble breathing, and neurological issues such as seizures or tremors. Cat owners are encouraged to be vigilant; if their cats show signs of extreme lethargy or unusual behavior, they should seek veterinary care immediately.
With bird flu now implicated not just among avian species but also mammals, including pets and even humans under certain conditions, the public health ramifications are significant. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first severe human case of bird flu this year, linked to exposure from infected birds.
Pet owners should keep abreast of the latest health updates and take appropriate precautions, such as cooking all animal products and avoiding exposure to sick or dead birds. Though instances of birds fulfilling the link to pet food or causing direct harm to human health remain rare, rising cases of infection among felines signify the urgent need for heightened awareness.
Addressing these concerns, the Oregon Health Authority has advised pet owners against raw diets, reinforcing public guidance on how to protect pets amid the bird flu pandemic.
Health officials urge immediate action from pet owners to protect their pets, ensuring no raw food is fed to pets and maintaining overall vigilance around wildlife interactions. The life of beloved pets hangs on these efforts, echoing the overarching theme of vigilance as more is understood about the impact of bird flu.
