Can My Cat or Dog Get Bird Flu? How to Recognize the Symptoms and Manage the Risk

A California cat was euthanized in 2025 after contracting a fatal H5N1 avian influenza infection.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed the source: the cat had eaten RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats sliders from specific lots (CCS 25 077 and CCS 25 093) that tested positive for the virus. This incident demonstrates that the threat of avian influenza to pets, while statistically rare, is real and can originate from unexpected sources like commercial raw diets.

This article provides a fact-based overview of the risks, symptoms, and prevention strategies based on regulatory findings and veterinary science, empowering you to make informed decisions for your pet's safety.

How Avian Influenza Threatens Pets: Transmission Pathways

The H5N1 strain is a highly pathogenic type A influenza virus. While it primarily circulates in wild aquatic birds, it can spill over to mammals. The virus is shed in the saliva, nasal secretions, and feces of infected birds.

Pets can be exposed through three primary pathways:

1. Direct Contact

Hunting or scavenging infected wild birds.

2. Contaminated Raw Food

Ingesting raw poultry products that contain the virus.

3. Environmental Exposure

Contact with virus-laden surfaces, soil, or water in areas frequented by infected birds.

Cats are highly susceptible to severe infection. Experimental studies, such as one published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, have demonstrated this susceptibility, with some showing high mortality rates in clinically affected cats. Dogs can be infected but typically experience milder symptoms and lower mortality rates.

Recognizing Symptoms

Early veterinary intervention is critical. These symptoms require immediate attention.

In Cats

Rapid Onset is Common

Early Signs

Lethargy, loss of appetite, fever (>103°F), respiratory distress (coughing, labored breathing), conjunctivitis (red, inflamed eyes), nasal/ocular discharge.

Advanced Signs

Neurological symptoms (head tilting, tremors, seizures, incoordination), swelling around the face and neck, collapse.

Action

The presence of any respiratory or neurological signs constitutes a medical emergency. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

In Dogs

Typically Milder Presentation

Observed Signs

Lethargy, mild cough, sneezing, fever, conjunctivitis.

At-Risk Dogs

Puppies, seniors, and immunocompromised dogs may be more vulnerable to severe complications.

Action

If symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or worsen, consult your veterinarian.

The Raw Food Risk

The California case underscores a documented, though uncommon, risk in raw pet food. The FDA’s investigation confirmed H5N1 in specific lots of food, leading the manufacturer to voluntarily remove them from circulation.

The FDA did not issue a mandatory recall. The agency’s authority to mandate pet food recalls is more limited than for human food, and it often relies on voluntary actions by companies.

All raw poultry carries an inherent risk of pathogen contamination. The FDA regularly issues warnings about bacterial pathogens like Salmonella and L. monocytogenes in raw pet foods. The presence of viral pathogens like H5N1 is a more recent and less common concern.

For Pet Owners Who Choose Raw Diets

Select HPP-Treated Foods

High-Pressure Processing is a cold-pasteurization technique that effectively destroys pathogens, including viruses and bacteria, while preserving raw nutrients.

Verify Testing Protocols

Choose manufacturers that implement rigorous third-party testing for pathogens on finished products and make those results available to consumers.

Practice Strict Hygiene

Handle raw food separately from human food, disinfect all surfaces and bowls with a bleach solution, and wash hands thoroughly after handling.

Risk-Managed Dietary Alternatives

Commercial Diets

High-quality kibble or canned food that meets AAFCO nutritional standards.

Gently Cooked Diets

Commercially prepared or homemade meals (formulated by a veterinary nutritionist) that are cooked to temperatures that eliminate pathogens.

Freeze-Dried Diets

These are often treated during processing to reduce pathogen load and can be a lower-risk option.

Protection and Prevention

1. Manage Environmental Exposure

• Keep cats indoors, especially during known local outbreaks of avian influenza.
• Keep dogs on-leash to prevent scavenging dead birds or drinking from stagnant water sources frequented by waterfowl.
• Remove bird feeders and baths to discourage wild bird congregations near your home.

2. Practice Consistent Hygiene

• Disinfect shoes and wash clothes after visiting areas with high bird populations (e.g., parks, ponds).
• Clean pet food and water bowls daily with soap and hot water.

3. Stay Informed

• Monitor outbreak maps from the USDA APHIS and announcements from the FDA.
• Report clusters of dead wild birds to local wildlife authorities.

When to Seek Veterinary Care

Go to an emergency veterinarian immediately if your pet shows:

• Difficulty breathing or blue-tinged gums.
• Seizures, tremors, or an inability to stand.
• Sudden collapse or unresponsiveness.

Contact your primary veterinarian for an urgent appointment if your pet shows:

• A high fever (>103°F) combined with lethargy.
• Refusal to eat or drink for more than 12 hours.
• Persistent coughing/sneezing with discharge.

Always call the clinic before arriving. This allows them to prepare isolation protocols to protect other patients and staff.

FAQ

Q1: Can my indoor cat get bird flu? 

A: Yes, though the risk is significantly lower than for outdoor cats. The primary risk for indoor cats is consuming contaminated raw pet food or unpasteurized (raw) milk from infected animals. As documented by the FDA, a purely indoor cat in California was euthanized after contracting H5N1 from a specific brand of raw cat food. It is also theoretically possible for the virus to be brought indoors on contaminated surfaces like shoes or clothing if you've been in an area with infected birds.

Q2: What are the symptoms of bird flu (H5N1) in cats? 

A: Symptoms can range from mild to severe and often progress rapidly. According to the FDA and CDC, key signs to watch for include:

• Fever
• Lethargy (extreme tiredness)
• Low appetite or not eating
• Reddened or inflamed eyes
• Discharge from the eyes and/or nose
• Difficulty breathing
• Neurological signs such as tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness 

If you observe any of these symptoms, especially after potential exposure, you should seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Q3: Are dogs susceptible to bird flu?

A: Dogs can contract the H5N1 virus, but they are less susceptible than cats and typically experience much milder symptoms, if any. The FDA states that while there have been fatal cases in dogs in other countries, the virus has not been detected in dogs in the United States as of these reports. Symptoms in dogs, if they appear, are generally mild respiratory signs like a cough or sneezing.

Q4: How did bird flu get into commercial raw cat food? 

A: The virus enters the food chain when raw pet food is made using parts of poultry infected with H5N1. The FDA confirmed that lots of "RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats" tested positive for the same genotype of H5N1 (B3.13) that was found in an infected cat and has been circulating in dairy cows and poultry. This indicates the virus was present in the chicken used to make the food and was not inactivated, as raw food does not undergo a cooking or pasteurization process that kills pathogens.

Q5: Was there a recall for the contaminated RAWR cat food? 

A: The FDA did not issue a mandatory recall. However, the manufacturer, RAWR, stated they voluntarily removed the affected lots (CCS 25 077 and CCS 25 093) from circulation weeks before the FDA's public announcement. This highlights the importance of checking lot numbers and staying informed about public health warnings, as not all contamination events result in a formal recall notice.

Q6: What is the safest alternative to a raw food diet for my cat? 

A: To eliminate the risk of pathogens like H5N1, Salmonella, and E. coli, the CDC and veterinary experts recommend avoiding raw diets. Safer alternatives include:

Commercial Cooked/Kibble Diets

High-quality canned or kibbled food that has been cooked during processing.

High-Pressure Processed (HPP) Raw Food

Some raw brands use HPP, a cold pasteurization technique that kills pathogens while preserving raw nutrients.

Gently Cooked Homemade Diets

Recipes formulated by a veterinary nutritionist to ensure they are balanced and safe.

Q7: How can I protect my pet from bird flu?

A: You can significantly reduce your pet's risk by taking these steps:

Avoid Raw Food/Milk

Do not feed your pet raw food or unpasteurized milk.

Keep Cats Indoors

Prevent hunting and contact with wild birds.

Leash Dogs

Keep dogs on a leash to prevent them from scavenging dead birds.

Practice Good Hygiene

Wash your hands thoroughly after handling any pet food and disinfect surfaces.

Remove Bird Feeders

Temporarily remove bird feeders and baths during local outbreaks to avoid attracting wild birds.

Q8: Can humans get bird flu from handling contaminated pet food? 

A: The FDA states it is not aware of any human cases of H5N1 contracted from exposure to contaminated pet food. However, it is biologically possible. Humans can become infected if the active virus gets into their eyes, nose, or mouth. This is why handling raw pet food requires strict hygiene practices, including handwashing and surface cleaning.

Final Recommendations

The risk of avian influenza to pets is real but remains low for most animals. Informed vigilance is the best strategy.

1. Audit Your Pet's Food

If you feed raw, confirm the brand uses HPP or provides batch-specific pathogen testing. If uncertain, switch to a cooked alternative.

2. Consult Your Veterinarian

Discuss your pet's specific risk factors based on their lifestyle, health status, and your local area.

3. Share Fact-Based Resources

Forward this article or information from the FDA and AVMA to other pet owners to promote community awareness.

Your informed decisions are your pet’s primary defense against emerging health threats.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is based on public health reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.

Always consult your veterinarian with any concerns about your pet's health or diet. The situation with avian influenza (H5N1) is evolving, and we make no warranties regarding the completeness or currentness of this information. Your use of this content is at your own risk.

For the most current information, refer directly to the FDA and CDC websites.