Pet Food Recall Issued Following Cat Death Linked to Bird Flu Contamination
Twenty large felines, including cougars and bobcats, have succumbed to an infection at a sanctuary.
An Oregon-based company is initiating a voluntary recall of certain pet food batches due to potential avian flu contamination, urging pet owners to refrain from feeding their pets undercooked or raw meat products.
Investigations revealed that a house cat in Washington County had ingested the recalled product, contracted avian flu, and ultimately passed away. This recall affects items with “Best if used by” dates of May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026.
The items, packaged in two-pound plastic bags, have been distributed across several U.S. states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington.
Customers who purchased the affected products are advised to “immediately dispose of the product” and seek a refund at the point of purchase, according to the company.
Related Stories
Dr. Ryan Scholz, a state veterinarian with the ODA, expressed their “confidence” that the infected feline contracted the virus from consuming the recalled pet food.
“This cat was a strictly indoor pet; it had no exposure to the virus in its environment, and genome sequencing results indicated that the strain found in the raw pet food and the cat were identical,” Scholz stated.
The department has urged pet owners to refrain from feeding their pets raw and undercooked meat products.
Twenty wild cats have died as a result of this infection, including five African servals, four bobcats, four cougars, two Canadian lynx, and a Bengal tiger.
“This heartbreaking viral infection, transmitted by wild birds, primarily spreads through respiratory droplets and contact between birds, and can also infect carnivorous mammals that consume contaminated birds or other products. Cats are especially susceptible to this virus, which can cause mild initial symptoms but can escalate quickly, often leading to death within 24 hours due to pneumonia-like conditions,” the center elaborated.
Cats and Infections
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has also issued a warning for residents to avoid feeding their pets the recalled Northwest Naturals products due to infection risks, as stated in a Dec. 24 announcement.
Residents who have provided their pets with the recalled products or any raw meat and observed symptoms are encouraged to consult a veterinarian.
“Cats infected with H5 avian flu can display severe symptoms, which may include neurological signs, respiratory issues, or liver disease that can swiftly lead to death,” the announcement explained.
The health department confirmed bird flu cases in four house cats that had consumed the recalled raw food. All four cats have died, and three additional potential cases are under investigation.
There have been various instances of cats contracting the avian influenza virus worldwide.
“The suspected cause of infection was raw food improperly sterilized that was made from domestic duck meat,” the report indicated.
The viruses identified in the cats showed mutations that suggested the pathogens had adapted to mammals.
California has reported the highest number of cases with 36 infections, followed by Washington with 11, Colorado with 10, and Michigan with two, while Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin each reported one case.
