Overview of the Recall

A startling and worrying development has emerged from California, where a pet food manufacturer has issued a recall of its raw chicken products following alarming links to bird flu infections in cats. Two unfortunate cats have already succumbed to the illness, while a third feline in New York City is suspected to be affected as well.

This recall comes amid a series of troubling food safety incidents related to potentially contaminated products, which have been connected to severe illness and fatalities among cats across multiple states.

The highly contagious H5N1 influenza virus has not only wreaked havoc on poultry and dairy farms in the U.S. but has also caused health concerns in at least 70 people.

Details of the Recalled Products

The company behind the recalled pet food, Savage Pet from El Cajon, California, has alerted consumers about one specific lot of both large and small chicken boxes that may carry the deadly virus. Each cardboard box contains several plastic packages of raw chicken. The affected lot is stamped with the code and best-by date of 11152026.

This pet food has been distributed across California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington state.

Health Officials' Response

In response to the cat illnesses, health officials in New York City have urgently advised pet owners to steer clear of Savage Pet products. One heart-wrenching case involved a cat that fell ill and tragically died after consuming the recalled food. While final test results are still awaited, preliminary findings detected the presence of the H5N1 virus, indicating an alarming potential risk.

Another cat in the city was diagnosed with H5N1 after being exposed to the first cat. Interestingly, it did not consume the Savage Pet products directly; rather, it was in contact with the infected cat. Fortunately, that particular cat has survived but did not undergo testing for the virus.

Growing Concerns Over Bird Flu in Cats

The situation is dire, as these New York cases add to a growing concern over domestic cats affected by H5N1 across the U.S. The U.S. Agriculture Department has documented at least 115 cases of bird flu infections in household cats since 2022, with a significant spike in cases reported in 2024.

These infections occur when cats come into contact with infected wildlife or consume contaminated food, including raw and unpasteurized products.

Related Recalls and Concerns

Just earlier this month, another alarming recall took place when Wild Coast Raw, based in Olympia, Washington, pulled its frozen boneless raw chicken cat food from the shelves due to ties with a spate of cat illnesses and deaths in Oregon and Washington.

Additionally, in December, Morasch Meats from Portland, Oregon, recalled its Northwest Naturals brand of raw and frozen turkey pet food, which tested positive for the same virus linked to a local cat's death.

Veterinary Experts Warnings

Veterinary experts are ringing alarm bells about the risks associated with feeding pets unpasteurized milk and raw food. Dr. Jarra Jagne from Cornell University strongly advises pet owners to reconsider raw diets, stating, "I wouldn't give my animals raw anything. It’s all about cooking."

The dangers of raw pet foods extend beyond bird flu, with potential exposure to harmful germs such as salmonella, listeria, and E. coli.

Conclusion

As this distressing story unfolds, pet owners are reminded to stay vigilant and updated on the safety of their pet food choices. Ensuring the health and safety of our beloved furry companions should always come first!