Avian influenza, also know as H5N1, has been in the news recently due to an outbreak in dairy cattle. Additionally, several cats have been reported to have contracted the virus. Cats are known to be susceptible to the H5N1 virus, which can cause severe illness.
Cats can be infected with H5N1 in several ways. The most recent outbreaks in the news have been traced back to contaminated food sources – specifically, unpasteurized milk or dairy products and raw or undercooked meat products. Cats can also be infected by exposure to wild birds or poultry or exposure to people working on H5N1-affected farms.
Clinical signs of H5N1 in cats include general signs, such as fever, loss or decrease in appetite, tiredness or lethargy. Disease in cats often progresses quickly to sneezing and/or coughing, depression, copious eye and nasal discharge, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, and neurological signs such as wobbliness, circling, tremors, blindness, and even seizures.
If you suspect your cat has H5N1, please contact your veterinarian, limit their contact with any people with compromised immune systems, and monitor yourself and your family for signs of illness.
There haven’t been any reports of cats infected with H5N1 spreading the virus to people. Though it’s a low risk, it is still a possibility that this virus can jump species. We recommend you follow the CDC’s recommendations for personal protective equipment and limiting your exposure (see below).
To prevent H5N1 in cats, we recommend not feeding any undercooked or raw meat, dairy, or milk products to your cat; keeping your cat indoors away from wild and dead birds; keeping your cat away from livestock and their environments, especially in areas with a known H5N1 outbreak; and wash your hands and change your clothes after handling or encountering poultry, livestock, and/or wild birds and your cats.
References
“Northwest Naturals of Portland Voluntary Recall of Northwest Naturals Brand 2 lb Feline Turkey Recipe Raw & Frozen Pet Food Due to HPAI Contamination.” Oregon Department of Agriculture Newsroom. December 26, 2024. https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODA/Posts/Post/morasch-meats-voluntary-recall-feline-raw-pet-food-hpai#:~:text=The%20Oregon%20Department%20of%20Agriculture,Avian%20Influenza%20(HPAI)%20virus.
“Cat and Dog Food Manufacturers Required to Consider H5N1 in Food Safety Plans.” FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine Updates. January 17, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/cat-and-dog-food-manufacturers-required-consider-h5n1-food-safety-plans.
“Bird Flu.” Center for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/index.html.
“Avian influenza A (H5N1) in cats.” American Veterinary Medical Association. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-h5n1-cats.
