What is the H5N1 Avian Flu?

Avian influenza A viruses occur naturally in waterfowl, and a subtype called H5N1 has recently evolved to infect a variety of other birds and mammals. Infection is most commonly transmitted by direct contact of the nasal secretions, saliva, and feces of infected individuals with the eyes, nose, or mouth of susceptible individuals. Infection via inhalation of airborne viruses may also occur but is believed to be a less common means of transmission.

Can cats catch It?

Cats are susceptible to H5N1 infection.

Are H5N1 infections in cats serious?

H5N1 can cause serious, even life-threatening illness in cats. Up to 70% of infected cats die of their infections.

What are the symptoms of H5N1 in cats?

Infected cats often develop a fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy early in their infections; and signs can worsen rapidly to include nasal/ocular discharge, sneezing, coughing, respiratory difficulty, and neurologic signs such as incoordination, tremors, seizures, and blindness.

Where do cats get H5N1 infections from?

Suspected or verified sources of feline infections include ingesting raw (unpasteurized) cow’s milk, raw meat/poultry products, exposure to infected livestock/poultry and their environments, exposure to wild birds, and exposure to infected people and their clothing.

Can an infected cat pass an H5N1 infection to a person?

While this is theoretically possible, we are not aware of any cases of cat-to-human transmission of H5N1 during the current outbreak. Out of an abundance of caution, though, any cat showing signs of H5N1 infection should not be allowed to lick anyone’s face or interact closely with people until veterinary consultation has been carried out.

Can an infected cat pass an H5N1 infection to another cat?

We are not aware of any definitive cases of cat-to-cat transmission of H5N1 during the current outbreak. While one reported case may be supportive of cat-to-cat transmission, the possibility of transmission via fomites (objects/materials) could not be ruled out in this case. Out of an abundance of caution, any cat showing signs of H5N1 infection should be isolated from other cats until veterinary consultation has been carried out.

Can an infected person pass an H5N1 infection to a cat?

While human-to-cat transmission of H5N1 has not been definitively identified during the current outbreak, the possibility exists. This notion was raised, in particular, by a recent report of H5N1 infections in two indoor-only cats that lived with people who worked on dairy farms in a region of Michigan in which H5N1 has been shown to be circulating among dairy farms. Importantly, these workers declined viral testing in both cases, so it is not definitively known whether they were infected and could have served as sources of infection for these cats, but this is possible. Another possibility is that these cats could have become infected via contact with the clothing of these workers rather than via direct transmission from person to cat, but an abundance of caution dictates that we assume that this mode of transmission, while apparently rare thus far, is possible.

You can read the original report here.

How can I protect my cat from H5N1 infection?

Refrain from feeding raw (even freeze-dried raw) meat-based foods and treats and unpasteurized dairy products. Keep him/her indoors and away from livestock, poultry, and their environments, and from sick or dead birds. Thoroughly wash your hands and change clothing (including footwear) after interacting with any livestock, poultry, wild bird, other animals, or bird feeders. Isolate any cats or people showing signs of infection from other cats/animals. Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine available for H5N1.

• FDA pet food reporting website.

What should I do if I observe signs of H5N1 infection in my cat?

Isolate the cat from other pets and people, thoroughly wash your hands before and after interacting with the cat and call your veterinarian immediately. Importantly, do not bring your cat to a veterinarian before contacting them so that they can take appropriate precautions to protect your cat, other patients, and the whole veterinary team.

Has H5N1 been found in any specific raw cat foods?

Several pet food manufacturers have issued voluntary recalls of raw cat foods in which H5N1 contamination has been demonstrated, raising concerns for potential transmission to cats that consume these foods.

Most recently, the New York City Health Department (NYCHD) issued a report on March 15^th, 2025, that describes two presumptive cases and a third suspected case of highly pathologic avian influenza (HPAI) infections in NYC cats. Two of these cases are believed to have arisen from cats consuming raw cat food produced by the Savage Cat Food company. The third cat was not known to have eaten this food but was exposed to one of the other cats that had. Read the full press release here.

The NYCHD is in communication with the cat owners and veterinary staff involved, and with Savage Pet Foods.

Signs of HPAI infection in cats include fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, respiratory difficulty, and neurologic signs, including incoordination, tremors, and seizures. If owners observe a cat demonstrating any of these signs after consuming raw meat and/or dairy products, and in particular Savage Raw Cat Food from the lot # 11152026, they should contact a veterinarian immediately and isolate the affected cat from other pets. 

Owners should also remain vigilant about any cat food product recalls that are announced as a result of the current HPAI outbreak.

While the risk to the public remains low, owners of cats diagnosed with HPAI infections should monitor their own health and contact their health care professionals if they experience illness after being exposed to cats infected by HPAI.

This report highlights the importance of owners refraining from feeding their cats foods containing any raw meat and/or dairy products to protect them from potential HPAI infection.

Owners can also help protect their cats from infection by keeping them indoors and by restricting their access to livestock/poultry and their environments and to infected people and their clothing.

Current pet food recalls:

*Please note that this list may not be comprehensive, and we recommend checking back often for further updates, and watching for additional recalls in the news. 

• Voluntary Recall of Wild Coast Raw Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula Raw Pet Food Because of Possible Bird Flu Health Risk
• Northwest Naturals recalls raw frozen cat food over HPAI contamination
• Bird Flu Detected In Two New York City Cats Is Associated With ‘Savage Cat Food’ Raw Pet Food

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