Pet owners, take note! A distressing recall has emerged from a California-based pet food manufacturer, Savage Pet, which has pulled its raw chicken products from the shelves after they were linked to bird flu infections in two cats and suspected in a third in New York City. This alarming development raises important questions about the safety of certain raw pet foods in the market.

The recalled items include both large and small boxes of chicken products that could potentially be contaminated with the Type A H5N1 influenza virus, which has been known to impact not only birds but also mammals, including domestic cats. The specific lot code for the affected products bears the stamp 11152026, with a best-by date of November 15, 2026. These products were distributed across several states, including California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Following the disturbing reports of ill cats, health officials in New York City have strongly advised consumers to avoid Savage Pet products as a precautionary measure. It was reported that one cat that consumed the recalled products fell ill and tragically passed away. Preliminary tests indicated a “nonnegative” result for H5N1, suggesting the presence of the virus, although official confirmation is still pending.

In a connected case, another cat was confirmed to have H5N1 and succumbed to the infection, although it had not ingested the Savage Pet food. Instead, it had been in contact with a third cat that had eaten the tainted products. Thankfully, that third cat survived but was not subjected to testing.

This latest incident adds to the growing concerns regarding domestic cats and the dangerous H5N1 virus. Since 2022, the U.S. Agriculture Department has reported at least 115 bird flu cases in domestic cats, with a significant uptick in reports this year alone. Cats can contract the virus through wildlife exposure or contaminated food and milk.

This isn't the first recall associated with raw pet food and bird flu. Earlier this month, Wild Coast Raw from Olympia, Washington, recalled its frozen boneless raw chicken cat food following similar reports of illnesses and cat fatalities in Oregon and Washington. Another brand, Morasch Meats from Portland, Oregon, also faced scrutiny in December after its Northwest Naturals brand of raw and frozen turkey pet food tested positive for the virus and was linked to a cat's death.

Veterinary experts are sounding the alarm. Dr. Jarra Jagne, a veterinary authority at Cornell University, emphasizes the risks of feeding pets unpasteurized milk or raw pet food, warning that these could pose threats not just from bird flu, but also from other dangerous pathogens, including salmonella, listeria, and E. coli. "I wouldn’t give my animals raw anything," she cautions. "Cooking is essential for your pets' health."

As the situation unfolds, pet owners are urged to remain vigilant and to monitor for further updates regarding recalls and safety announcements related to pet food. Protect your furry friends – their health might just depend on it!