FDA Urges Caution Over Raw Pet Food Tainted With Bird Flu

January 27, 2025

Recent reports of cats falling ill or dying after consuming raw pet food or milk contaminated with the H5N1 bird flu virus have prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue new guidelines. The agency is urging pet food manufacturers to enhance their safety practices to prevent the spread of this deadly pathogen.

FDA’s New Guidelines for Pet Food Manufacturers

The FDA has advised pet food companies to source ingredients from healthy animals and to employ processes like heat treatment to eliminate any viruses. The administration also encourages pet owners to cook raw pet food to reduce the risk of H5N1 transmission.

“There have been several recent investigations indicating that H5N1 can be transmitted to cats through food, most often unpasteurized milk or uncooked meats,” stated the FDA in their warning. “H5N1 is deadly for both cats and dogs, so we strongly advise pet owners to consider the risks of feeding uncooked pet food products.”

Bird Flu: A Growing Threat to Pets

Bird flu has now spread to birds in every U.S. state since 2022, and cats are particularly susceptible to the virus. Both domestic and feral cats have been found infected after consuming contaminated raw milk or pet food.

Dr. Jane Sykes, a professor of small animal internal medicine at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, notes that the FDA’s guidance lacks detailed instructions on virus testing and whether heat treatment is necessary.

“The FDA’s advice does not provide strict guidelines on ensuring that there is no H5N1 in the foods,” Sykes told NBC News.

Advice from Experts

Experts at the FDA and the American Veterinary Medical Association agree that cooking pet food is the most effective way to ensure safety.

The FDA’s guidance is voluntary, leaving the decision on safety measures to individual companies.

“The companies have to decide what they want to do,” said Dr. J. Scott Weese, director of the Center for Public Health and Zoonoses at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. “The FDA avoids dictating practices. This is a first step. If there are more cases, they may take stronger actions.”

Examples of Proactive Safety Measures

Some pet food companies have already implemented safety protocols to address this risk.

Instinct, a St. Louis-based manufacturer of raw pet food, uses high-pressure processing (HPP) to eliminate pathogens.

“Like the FDA, we recognize the risks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and have measures in place to mitigate this risk,” explained Brock Zentz, senior director of food safety and quality at Instinct, in an email to NBC News.

However, experts caution that high-pressure processing alone may not entirely eliminate the virus. “It’s better than nothing, but cooking is the only absolute way to ensure safety,” concluded Weese.

Conclusion: Keeping Pets Safe

Given the increasing prevalence of H5N1, it is crucial for pet owners to take preventive measures. Cooking raw pet food and sourcing ingredients from reputable providers can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

For the latest updates on bird flu, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides detailed information on their website.

Protect your pets and stay informed about the evolving health threats they may face.

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