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Recent reports have raised alarm as several cats have become seriously ill or died after consuming raw pet food or milk contaminated with the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus. In response, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new guidance urging pet food manufacturers to take extra precautions when producing raw pet food to prevent further outbreaks.
The FDA’s advisory encourages pet food companies to source ingredients only from healthy animals and to implement processes, such as heat treatment, to inactivate any potential viruses. In addition, the agency recommends that pet owners cook raw pet food before feeding it to their pets as a precaution against the spread of H5N1, which can be fatal to both cats and dogs.
“There have been several recent investigations indicating transmission of H5N1 to cats through food, most often unpasteurized milk or uncooked meats,” the FDA’s warning states. “H5N1 can be deadly to cats, as well as dogs, so we encourage consumers to carefully consider the risk of this emerging pathogen before feeding their pets uncooked meat or an uncooked pet food product.”
The bird flu virus, which has spread across the U.S. since 2022, has proven especially dangerous to cats. Both domestic and feral cats have been infected, with some falling ill after consuming contaminated raw milk or pet food.
However, experts have raised concerns about the lack of specifics in the FDA guidance. Dr. Jane Sykes, a professor of small animal internal medicine at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, stated that the FDA’s advice lacks detailed instructions on how to ensure the absence of H5N1 in pet food products. “It doesn’t have any strict instructions on how to ensure there is no H5N1 in the foods,” she told NBC News.
Despite these concerns, both the FDA and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) agree that cooking pet food thoroughly is the safest way to reduce the risk of H5N1 transmission. The FDA emphasized that heat treatments are proven to be effective in deactivating the virus in meat, milk, and egg products. Pet owners are advised to follow the USDA guidelines for handling and cooking raw meat before feeding it to their animals. It is also recommended that pets be kept from hunting and consuming wild birds, which could be infected.
While the FDA’s guidance is not mandatory, leaving companies to make their own safety decisions, some raw pet food manufacturers have already implemented additional safety measures. Instinct, a St. Louis-based pet food company, uses high-pressure processing (HPP) to eliminate pathogens, including the avian influenza virus. Brock Zentz, senior director of food safety and quality at Instinct, assured that the company recognizes the risks posed by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and has taken steps to mitigate them.
However, experts caution that high-pressure processing alone may not completely eliminate the virus. “It’s better than nothing, but if you want to be really confident, cooking is the only sure thing,” said Dr. J. Scott Weese, director of the Center for Public Health and Zoonoses at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.
The FDA has stated that if more cases of H5N1 transmission to pets are reported, they may take stronger action in the future.
For more information on the bird flu outbreak and its impact, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary or medical advice. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian for advice regarding your pet’s health and nutrition.
