Pet owners are urged to refrain from feeding their animal companions Monarch Raw Pet Food after the H5 bird flu virus was detected in product samples, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced Tuesday. Authorities said people who fed their pets Monarch or other raw meat or dairy products and noticed any symptoms relating to bird flu should immediately call their veterinarian.
Cats with bird flu can develop severe illnesses, including neurologic and/or respiratory signs of liver disease, which can cause death. Symptoms of H5 bird flu in cats may include loss of appetite, tiredness, and respiratory and/or neurological signs. The Public Health statement emphasized, "Residents should avoid consumption of all raw milk and raw meat products and not feed these to their pets."
A cat targeted by this product tested positive for the virus, and four other house cats from the same household are presumed to have tested positive after consuming the contaminated food. Earlier this month, public health officials voluntarily recalled all Raw Farm, LLC raw milk and cream products due to possible H5 bird flu contamination. Similarly, health officials recently confirmed H5 bird flu cases in four house cats from another household consuming recalled raw milk, leading to severe illness and death.
On December 24, health officials warned residents not to feed their pets raw food following another voluntary recall of Northwest Naturals Brand 2lb Feline Turkey Recipe Raw & Frozen Pet Food due to the detection of H5 bird flu virus. There have been no reports of human cases associated with infected cats.
Despite recent warnings and incidents, the raw pet food industry is booming, driven by claims of various health benefits. Sales of raw pet food are on the rise across the United States. Experts warn, though, of the dangers posed by bacteria and viruses within raw pet foods. Diseases such as salmonella and E. coli can thrive within these products, presenting significant health risks to both pets and their owners. Since the onset of the bird flu outbreak, at least three house cats have died due to consuming raw foods contaminated with the virus. These include one cat from Oregon and two from California who consumed raw milk.
The popularity of raw food for pets has inspired many owners to change their pets' diets, believing they are nurturing them as their ancestors did. This trend has been linked to increased pet ownership and has grown significantly during the pandemic.
Dr. Jane Sykes, a veterinarian at the University of California, Davis, remarked, "Knowing how popular raw food diets are in California, I really haven't been surprised by these cases, I was just waiting for these to happen. If this virus continues to spread, I'm sure we’ll see a lot more cases. I expect many cases are not getting diagnosed."
Pet food companies claim raw diets can contribute to health by ensuring shinier coats, healthier teeth, and increased mobility among older animals. Nevertheless, evidence suggests they are particularly susceptible to disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has previously linked raw pet foods to serious food safety issues, and those recalling products due to contamination incidents have increasingly become commonplace.
Market research indicates the raw pet food industry is worth approximately $3 billion and projected to surpass $8.72 billion by 2032, driven by both consumer demand and marketing strategies promoting purported benefits. Dr. Sykes asserts, "There's been heavy marketing to make consumers think raw food diets are healthier, but that's not necessarily the case. People genuinely think they're doing the right thing for their pets and don't realize they can be contaminative."
While some companies may be focusing on addressing these risks, ensuring food safety remains difficult. Consumers are advised to stay informed about recalls and to remain vigilant about the health and dietary safety of their pets. At this point, public health authorities are urging immediate action. For questions about H5 bird flu or information on your nearest veterinary clinic, pet owners are encouraged to contact the Public Health InfoLine at 833-540-0473.