Retired USDA veterinarian John Korslund and other experts are advocating for public warnings about the risks associated with raw meat linked to cat fatalities.

A recent outbreak of H5N1 bird flu has resulted in several house cats becoming ill and some fatalities, primarily linked to the consumption of raw pet food or unpasteurized milk.

In response to this outbreak, the USDA and FDA have implemented new policies that include pre-slaughter inspections for large poultry operations in Minnesota and South Dakota, as well as food safety assessments for raw pet food producers.

Cats are especially susceptible to H5N1, often serving as indicators of the virus's presence in the environment, with symptoms that can affect their nervous system.

Genetic sequencing revealed that the H5N1 virus found in deceased cats matched samples from a turkey provided by Northwest Naturals pet food, prompting the company to recall affected batches.

The raw pet food industry is largely unregulated, with minimal sourcing rules, allowing potentially contaminated meat from non-USDA inspected sources to enter the market.

Veterinarians are advising pet owners to opt for conventional pet food, as the processing methods used, including cooking and pasteurization, effectively eliminate the risk of viruses.

Cats that hunt or spend unsupervised time outdoors are particularly at risk of contracting bird flu from infected wildlife, including songbirds and rodents.

Currently, the H5N1 strain circulating among animals has not adapted to spread easily among humans, but experts caution that mutations could increase this risk.

Symptoms of bird flu in cats can include lethargy, runny nose, and neurological issues, although these symptoms overlap with other common feline illnesses.

While dogs can also contract bird flu, infections in them appear milder compared to cats, and the reasons for this difference remain unclear.

Experts are raising concerns that infected birds may enter the food supply unnoticed, highlighting the need for stricter monitoring and inspection protocols.