Northwest Naturals has issued a voluntary recall for a batch of its pet food products after a cat in Oregon tragically died from bird flu, health officials confirmed.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories, along with the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, conducted tests that revealed the cat in Washington County, Oregon, contracted bird flu after eating Northwest Naturals’ raw and frozen pet food.
Cat’s Death Linked to Bird Flu-Contaminated Pet Food
“We are certain that this cat contracted the H5N1 strain of bird flu by consuming the Northwest Naturals raw pet food,” stated Dr. Ryan Scholz, State Veterinarian for the Oregon Department of Agriculture, in a press release. “The cat was an indoor pet and had no exposure to the virus in its environment. Genome sequencing showed that the bird flu strain from the pet food matched exactly with the strain that infected the cat.”
Can Pets Transmit Bird Flu to Humans?
Although the situation is being monitored, no human cases of bird flu have been reported. Officials are keeping an eye on household members who had direct contact with the infected cat to check for any flu-like symptoms. The risk of transmission to humans remains low, according to Oregon health authorities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that while it’s rare, a pet could potentially transmit bird flu to its owner through direct contact. In 2016, a New York City veterinarian contracted bird flu from prolonged exposure to infected cats, though the symptoms were mild.
Raw Pet Food Risks and Recalled Products
Oregon health officials reminded pet owners that raw meat products could pose health risks to pets. Northwest Naturals has recommended that pet owners dispose of 2-pound bags of Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food with the following best if used by dates: 05/21/2026 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1. The affected products were sold in several states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, and more, as well as in British Columbia, Canada.
Customers who purchased the recalled product should contact their retailer for a full refund.
Cats Are Especially Vulnerable to Bird Flu
Cats are particularly susceptible to bird flu, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The virus can cause subtle symptoms that quickly escalate, often leading to severe pneumonia and death within 24 hours.
In related news, California health officials launched an investigation after two cats died from suspected bird flu after consuming raw milk. In Texas, a similar case occurred when farm cats died after ingesting raw milk from bird flu-infected cows.
Source: CBS News
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