2025 – A new and worrying development in the ongoing global battle against avian influenza has emerged in the United States, where a domestic cat was euthanised after contracting the H5N1 bird-flu virus. The source of infection, investigators say, was contaminated raw cat food — a reminder of the hidden dangers in feeding pets uncooked animal products.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), laboratory tests confirmed that two lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food – Chicken Eats were contaminated with H5N1, the same strain found in the affected cat. The agency promptly issued a public warning, urging pet owners to avoid feeding or handling the implicated products. The manufacturer has since recalled the affected batches, though concerns linger about the broader risks posed by raw diets for cats and dogs.
H5N1, or highly pathogenic avian influenza, has been circulating widely among wild birds and poultry since 2021, spreading from Asia into Europe and North America. While the virus primarily targets birds, it has also infected mammals, including cats, foxes, sea lions, and even polar bears. Transmission to domestic cats typically occurs through contact with infected birds or, as in this latest case, through contaminated meat.
Experts say cats are particularly susceptible because they are obligate carnivores — they rely on meat for nutrition and may be fed or come into contact with raw animal tissue more frequently than other pets. Once infected, cats can develop severe respiratory and neurological symptoms, including fever, coughing, disorientation, and seizures. In most reported cases, the disease progresses rapidly and is fatal.
While there have been no reports of humans contracting H5N1 from household cats or commercial pet food, health authorities are treating this incident as a serious biosecurity concern. “Any time avian influenza crosses into a mammalian host, it raises red flags,” said a U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) spokesperson. “It’s a potential step toward viral adaptation that could increase risks to other species, including humans.”
The raw-feeding movement — which promotes uncooked meat as a “natural” alternative to processed pet foods — has grown in popularity over the past decade. Advocates claim it improves digestion, coat quality, and energy levels. However, veterinarians and public-health experts have long cautioned against it, pointing to the dangers of bacterial and viral contamination. Studies have repeatedly shown that raw pet foods can harbour Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, and now, potentially, H5N1.
The FDA recommends that all pet food — whether raw, frozen, or freeze-dried — be handled with care. Owners should wash their hands thoroughly after touching pet food or dishes, disinfect surfaces, and avoid feeding raw meat from unknown or unregulated sources. For those who insist on raw feeding, experts urge sourcing only from reputable producers that implement pathogen testing and follow strict hygiene protocols.
The recent H5N1 case underscores a sobering truth: as viruses continue to mutate and expand their reach, the line between wildlife, livestock, and our pets grows thinner. The safest course for now, say veterinarians, is to keep cats indoors, feed them cooked or commercially prepared diets, and remain alert to public-health advisories.
P.S. – A Note for UK Cat Owners
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) continues to monitor avian influenza closely. The virus has been detected in wild bird populations across several regions, and biosecurity measures remain in force for poultry keepers. While no British cats have yet been confirmed with H5N1 infection from raw food, veterinary authorities urge caution.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) advises against feeding raw meat diets to cats and dogs unless the food has been commercially prepared to meet stringent hygiene and pathogen controls. Even then, pet owners should handle all raw products with care — washing hands, cleaning utensils, and preventing cross-contamination in the kitchen.
Cat owners who live near wetlands or farmland where wild birds gather should keep pets indoors as far as possible, particularly during avian-flu outbreaks. Any sudden illness in cats following contact with birds or raw meat should be reported promptly to a vet.
The UK has so far avoided the tragic incidents seen abroad, but with avian flu now endemic in wild birds, vigilance remains essential.
More: bird flu
Note: there are many advocates of raw cat food especially homemade raw cat food who say that it is superior to standard pet food and much better for their cat’s health. Vets generally advocate against it because of the health risks such as the one mentioned and in terms of poor handling and storage during which pathogens can be transferred to the food causing feline illnesses.