Urgent Recall of Raw Pet Food

In a shocking turn of events, a California-based pet food manufacturer has announced a significant recall of its raw chicken products amid alarming links to bird flu infections in felines. This troubling development comes as two cats in New York City have been confirmed to have contracted the virus, with a third suspected case on the horizon.

Details of the Recall

Savage Pet, located in El Cajon, California, has pulled a specific lot of its chicken products off the shelves due to contamination fears associated with the highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus. The recalled items, packaged in both large and small cardboard boxes, feature individual plastic packages and are marked with the lot code and best-by date of 11152026. These products were distributed widely across several states, including California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Health Officials' Warning

In response to these distressing reports, New York City health officials are actively warning consumers to refrain from using Savage Pet products, citing the serious illnesses that have arisen among local cats.

Tragic Outcomes

Tragically, one cat recently succumbed to illness after consuming these raw chicken products. While final test results are still pending, preliminary analysis indicated a "nonnegative" result for H5N1, raising serious concerns among health officials. A second cat diagnosed with the virus also tragically passed away, although it is essential to note that it did not consume the recalled pet food directly, but was exposed to the third cat affected by it, which fortunately survived but was not tested.

Wider Context of the Bird Flu in Cats

This incident is part of a larger pattern, with H5N1 causing illness and death in cats across various states. Since 2022, the U.S. Agriculture Department has reported at least 115 cases of bird flu infections in domestic cats, with most confirmations emerging in the current year. Cats can contract this dangerous virus through exposure to wildlife or consumption of contaminated food or milk, causing great concern among pet owners.

Recent Related Recalls

Adding to the urgency of the situation, earlier this month, another brand—Wild Coast Raw from Olympia, Washington—recalled its frozen boneless raw chicken cat food, which was implicated in illnesses and feline fatalities in Oregon and Washington. Similarly, in December, Morasch Meats of Portland recalled its Northwest Naturals brand of frozen turkey pet food after testing positive for the H5N1 virus, linked to the unfortunate death of a local cat.

Expert Advice

Veterinary experts, like Dr. Jarra Jagne from Cornell University, stress the importance of keeping pets safe from the dangers of raw pet food and unpasteurized milk. “I wouldn’t give my animals raw anything,” Dr. Jagne advises. “It’s all about cooking.”

Precautionary Measures for Pet Owners

With these developments, pet owners are urged to remain vigilant and informed about the risks associated with raw pet food. It’s a stark reminder of the potential hazards hidden in food products that are meant to nourish our beloved pets. Stay safe, and make sure to check your pet food products carefully!