In the US, an urgent recall has been issued for Northwest Naturals Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after a domestic cat in Oregon died from avian influenza. The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) announced the voluntary recall, urging consumers to dispose of the affected product immediately.
The cat, an indoor pet from Washington County, Oregon, succumbed to the illness after consuming the contaminated food. Genetic sequencing tests conducted by several agencies, including the US Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories, confirmed that the virus isolated in the recalled pet food matched perfectly with the virus that infected the cat.
"We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food," stated Dr. Ryan Scholz, ODA State Veterinarian, emphasizing that the cat was strictly an indoor pet with no environmental exposure to the virus.
Authorities and Northwest Naturals have strongly advised consumers who purchased the recalled product to discard it immediately and contact the place of purchase for a full refund.
The recalled pet food comes in two-pound plastic bags with "Best If Used By" dates between May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026. It was sold nationwide in the US, including states such as Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington, as well as in British Columbia, Canada.
The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, which has also released its own statement regarding the incident.
No human cases of bird flu have been reported in connection with the incident involving the cat, and the risk of transmission to people remains low in Oregon, authorities stated in a press release. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is vigilantly monitoring individuals who had contact with the affected cat for any signs of flu symptoms, but they had not shown signs of illness.
Federal and state experts encourage people and their pets to avoid consuming raw or undercooked meat products, as well as raw dairy, to prevent the spread of disease, including bird flu. Pet owners are cautioned against giving raw milk to animals due to potential bird flu contamination.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cats are particularly susceptible to bird flu, and consumption of raw or uncooked pet food contaminated with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) can cause illness in animals. A recent study highlighted concerns that cats could serve as carriers of the bird flu virus, and some research has suggested that H5N1 is especially dangerous to felines.
Bird flu can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing, seizures, pneumonia, and death. Complications can include secondary bacterial infections and death. While it is extremely rare for people to contract bird flu from infected animals, including pets, it is possible—especially with prolonged and unprotected exposure.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated, "While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures." Experts warn that constant surveillance is essential to avoid more serious scenarios.
"Pet owners are advised to monitor their cats for any symptoms such as listlessness, loss of appetite, or difficulty breathing, and to notify their veterinarian immediately if they notice signs of illness," authorities stated. Health authorities urge citizens to take extra precautions, especially those handling birds or products related to infected animals. The incident has highlighted the importance of educating the public about the risks associated with avian influenza and the need for rigorous supervision in the pet food supply chain.
Bird flu has been spreading among wild and domestic birds and has led to infections in other animals, including cats. H5N1 avian influenza primarily affects birds but can be transmitted to other animals and, in very rare cases, to humans. The vast majority of bird flu cases confirmed by the CDC have been linked to exposure to infected animals, such as poultry, with most human cases occurring among poultry workers.
NBC News, CBS News, Axios, USA Today, New York Post, Newsweek, and The Guardian reported on the recall, among other websites.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq