Pet Food Hit With Recall Due To Bird Flu

Pet Food Hit With Recall Due To Bird Flu

A popular raw frozen cat food has been recalled due to bird flu contamination, following the death of a house cat in Oregon.

At a Glance

  • Northwest Naturals’ Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food has been recalled due to H5N1 bird flu contamination.
  • The recall was initiated after an indoor cat in Oregon died; the death was linked to bird flu from the food.
  • The affected product is distributed in the United States, British Columbia, and Canada
  • Consumers are advised to discard the product and seek a full refund.
  • The risk to humans remains low, but precautions are recommended.

Pet Food Recall Details

Northwest Naturals has issued a voluntary recall of its Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after reporting contamination with the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, specifically the H5N1 strain. The recall was prompted by the death of a house cat in Washington County, Oregon, which was linked to consuming the contaminated product.

The affected product, packaged in blue and featuring 98% turkey, organs, and bone, is marketed as a complete raw diet for cats and a protein boost topper for dogs. It is grain and gluten-free. The recalled batch has “Best if used by” dates of 5/21/26 B10 and 6/23/2026 B1. Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to discontinue use immediately and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Connection to Cat’s Death

The link between the pet food and the cat’s death was established through genome sequencing, which revealed an exact match between the virus in the pet food and the infected cat. Dr. Ryan Scholz, Oregon Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian, stated:

“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food. This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other.”

This case highlights the potential dangers of raw pet food diets, particularly for cats, which are especially susceptible to bird flu. The Food and Drug Administration warns:

“Cats are particularly vulnerable to this virus, which can cause subtle initial symptoms but progress rapidly, often resulting in death within 24 hours due to pneumonia-like conditions.”

Broader Implications and Precautions

While the risk to humans remains low, this incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with raw pet food. The Oregon Department of Agriculture emphasized:

“This case reminds us that feeding raw meat products to pets or consuming them yourself can lead to severe illness. Raw meat may contain harmful pathogens, including Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, and H5N1.”

The Oregon Health Authority is monitoring household members of the affected cat for flu symptoms. To prevent the spread of bird flu, authorities recommend avoiding raw or undercooked meat, limiting contact with sick animals, and reporting sick or dead birds to local wildlife authorities.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Northwest Naturals at [email protected] or 866-637-1872. As the situation develops, pet owners are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect their animals and themselves from potential exposure to bird flu.

Sources

  1. Northwest Naturals pet food recall: Reason, risk, and more details explored
  2. Pet food recalled after Washington County cat dies of bird flu
  3. Pet food recalled over bird flu contamination after house cat’s death
  4. Pet food brand issues recall over bird flu contamination

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