In response to two confirmed cases and one suspected instance of bird flu infection in cats in New York City, a California-based pet food company has issued a recall of its raw chicken products. This recall comes amid a broader context of potential contaminations that have recently plagued various states, affecting not only cats but also other animals and humans. The virus, which has been rampant among poultry and dairy cattle in the United States, has been responsible for at least 70 human cases as well.
Savage Pet, based in El Cajon, California, has announced a recall of a specific batch of its chicken product boxes, which have been flagged for possible contamination with the Type A H5N1 influenza virus. These boxes, made of cardboard and containing individually packaged plastic, are identifiable by the lot code and best-by date of 11152026. Distribution of the food spans several states, including California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
Health officials in New York City have advised consumers to steer clear of any Savage Pet offerings following the illness of several cats attributed to these products. One unfortunate feline succumbed to the illness this month after consuming the recalled food. Preliminary testing revealed a “nonnegative” result for the H5N1 virus, suggesting the presence of the virus. Another cat with an H5N1 diagnosis also died; this case was connected to a strain similar to that found in the Savage Pet food, though the second cat had contact with a third infected cat rather than having consumed the food directly. The third cat did survive but went untested.
These incidents in New York are part of an increasing trend of H5N1 infections in cats across various states. According to the U.S. Agriculture Department, over 115 cases involving domestic cats have been documented since 2022, with a significant uptick in 2024. Cats generally become infected through exposure to infected wildlife or contaminated food, including milk.
Similar recalls have taken place earlier this year, with Wild Coast Raw of Olympia, Washington, retracting its frozen, boneless raw chicken cat food after links to feline illnesses and fatalities in Oregon and Washington. The previous December saw Morasch Meats of Portland, Oregon, pulling its Northwest Naturals turkey pet food brand due to a positive virus test following a local cat’s death.
Veterinary expert Dr. Jarra Jagne from Cornell University advises pet owners to avoid giving their pets unpasteurized milk or raw pet food. Such products pose risks of bird flu, along with other pathogens like salmonella, listeria, and E. coli. “I wouldn’t give my animals raw anything,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of cooking all food.
