Los Angeles County public health officials issue new warning to pet owners to stop feeding dogs and cats raw pet food following H5N1 flu outbreak bird flu Viruses found in product samples.
“The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health advises residents not to feed their pets the Imperial raw pet food sold at several farmers markets in California,” the agency said, noting that a cat in Los Angeles County who was fed the product was confirmed to have the disease. this disease. There is a virus. Four other cats in the same home were “presumably also infected with H5 avian influenza after consuming the product.”
The health department urges residents who feed their pets raw food or any other raw meat or dairy products to contact their veterinarian immediately if they notice their animal exhibiting any unusual behavior.
“Residents should avoid consuming all raw milk and raw meat products and do not feed these products to their pets,” the agency stressed in a statement Tuesday.
Cats infected with H5N1 avian influenza may develop severe disease, with symptoms including neurological changes, respiratory problems and liver disease, which may progress rapidly to death.
The health agency said no human cases of bird flu have been linked to exposure to the cats.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles health agency did not mention any formal recall of Monarch products, and the company did not provide information about recalls or bird flu cases on its website.
Warning follows previous recall of raw pet food due to bird flu
Death of a house cat and cat in Oregon Recent pet food recalls Questions have been raised about the ongoing bird flu outbreak and how people can protect their pets.
Portland, Ore., pet food company Northwest Naturals announced Tuesday a voluntary recall of a 2-pound batch of Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after the food tested positive for the virus. The product is sold in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, as well as in British Columbia, Canada.
northwest nature
The “best before” dates of the recalled foods are May 21, 2026 and June 23, 2026. Consumers should throw them away and contact the place of purchase for a refund.
Avian influenza has been spreading among wild birds, chickens, turkeys and many other animals for years. The disease was first confirmed in U.S. dairy cows in March.
The virus has been causing sporadic, mostly mild illness among people in the United States, and nearly all of those infected work on dairy or poultry farms. When the virus is discovered, every bird on the farm is killed to limit the spread of the disease.
Top vets warn against giving pets raw food
Oregon health officials traced the cat’s illness to frozen Northwest Naturals cat food containing raw turkey. Viruses recovered from recalled pet food matched infected cats.
Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association, said some pet owners feed their animals raw meat, but this can be dangerous or even fatal to the animals. Cooking meat or pasteurizing raw milk can destroy avian influenza viruses and other disease-causing bacteria.
“Raw milk and raw meat products can and do act as vectors for this virus,” he said.
Although infections are rare, cats appear to be particularly susceptible to the avian influenza virus, type A H5N1. Even before the outbreak in cattle, there were feline cases linked to wild birds or poultry. Dozens of cats have been infected with the virus since March. These include barn and feral cats, indoor cats, and big cats in zoos and the wild.
Dogs don’t appear to be as vulnerable as cats, but they should only eat thoroughly cooked food, Bailey said.
Bailey said cats should not drink unpasteurized dairy products or eat raw meat, and pet owners should keep cats away from wild birds, livestock and poultry.
Don’t let them roam freely outdoors, he said, “because you don’t know what they’re going to encounter. Cats are natural hunters, and one of the animals they like to hunt is birds.”
Are cat owners worried about bird flu? Here’s what to know.
Experts say people should avoid contact with sick or dead poultry and wash their hands thoroughly after handling poultry or animals.
Cats infected with avian influenza may experience loss of appetite, lethargy, and fever.
If your cat is usually playful and likes to look out the window, but is actually sleeping or avoiding you, pay attention, Bailey says. “Something’s wrong,” he said.
Their eyes may be red or inflamed and they may have discharge from their eyes and nose. They may have difficulty breathing, tremors, or seizures.
If your cat becomes sick, call your veterinary clinic and keep the cat away from people with weakened immune systems.
Can pets spread avian influenza to their owners?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s unlikely that pet owners can become infected with avian influenza through direct contact with an infected pet, but it’s possible.
Health agencies noted that in 2016, Bird flu spreads from cats to humans There are reports in New York City. The infected person, a veterinarian, developed mild flu symptoms after prolonged exposure to sick cats without the use of personal protective equipment.
Aliza Chasan contributed to this report.
