Urgent Alert: Raw Pet Food Recalled After Deadly Bird Flu Outbreak Affects Cats!

A concerning situation has emerged from California, where a popular pet food company, Savage Pet, has issued a recall for raw chicken products after they were linked to serious bird flu infections in two cats, with another suspected case reported in New York City.

Savage Pet, located in El Cajon, California, has taken precautionary measures by recalling a specific lot of large and small chicken boxes. This decision was made after the products were potentially found to be contaminated with the Type A H5N1 influenza virus, widely recognized as bird flu.

The affected products, which come in individually packaged boxes, are marked with the lot code and best-by date of 11/15/2026. These items were distributed across multiple states, including California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, raising alarms among veterinary health authorities.

In light of the reported illnesses, health officials in New York City have urgently advised pet owners to avoid Savage Pet products. Alarmingly, one cat that consumed the recalled food became gravely ill and died within the month. While final test results are still awaited, preliminary findings show traces of the bird flu in the products investigated.

A second feline, which did not ingest the raw food but had contact with another infected cat, also tragically succumbed to the virus after testing positive for bird flu. Additionally, a third cat that ate the recalled food fell ill but managed to survive and was not tested for the virus.

These cases are part of an unsettling trend regarding the transmission of bird flu to domestic animals. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted that cats can contract the virus through contaminated food, milk, or contact with infected wildlife, which heightens the risks for all domestic pets.

This incident follows other recent recalls, such as those for Wild Coast Raw's frozen boneless chicken cat food, connected to feline deaths in Oregon and Washington, and another recall in December for Northwest Naturals raw turkey pet food, which similarly tested positive for bird flu.

In response to these alarming events, Dr. Jarra Jagne, a veterinary expert at Cornell University, is advising pet owners to exercise extreme caution when it comes to feeding their animals raw or unpasteurized foods, citing risks not only of bird flu but also salmonella, listeria, and E. coli. "I wouldn't give my animals raw anything," she stated emphatically. "It's all about cooking."

As such, pet owners are urged to stay vigilant and keep an eye on their pets' health, particularly in the wake of these disturbing findings. Don't take any chances with your furry friends' well-being!