A California-based pet food company, Savage Pet, has issued a recall for its raw chicken products due to concerns regarding bird flu. The recall comes after the virus was linked to illnesses in two cats and suspected in a third cat in New York City.
This recent recall adds to a troubling pattern of bird flu cases affecting both pets and wildlife across various states. The virus has already impacted poultry and dairy herds in the U.S., resulting in the illness and, unfortunately, the deaths of some pets. So far, there have been at least 70 reported cases of human infection associated with this outbreak.
Savage Pet, located in El Cajon, California, has recalled a specific lot of its chicken products that may contain the Type A H5N1 influenza virus. These products were packaged in cardboard boxes and included individual plastic packets. Customers can identify the recalled items by the lot code and expiration date, which is stamped as 11152026. The affected products were distributed in states such as California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
In light of the recent cases among cats, health officials in New York City have advised pet owners to refrain from using Savage Pet products. One cat reportedly became gravely ill and died after consuming these foods, with preliminary tests suggesting a presence of the H5N1 virus.
Another cat diagnosed with the virus also passed away, although it did not consume the contaminated food directly. Instead, it had contact with a third cat that had eaten the recalled product. Fortunately, that third cat survived but was not tested for the virus.
Reports indicate that the H5N1 virus has been a growing concern for domestic cats, with 115 infections documented across the country since 2022, most of which have occurred in the past year. Cats can contract the virus from infected wildlife or contaminated food and milk.
Earlier this month, another company, Wild Coast Raw from Olympia, Washington, also recalled its frozen chicken cat food after connections to illnesses in cats were identified in Oregon and Washington. In December, Morasch Meats of Portland recalled products linked to a cat’s death due to the virus.
Veterinary experts are warning pet owners about the risks associated with feeding unpasteurized or raw diets to their pets. Dr. Jarra Jagne from Cornell University emphasized the importance of cooking food for pets, advising against raw diets due to the potential dangers from bird flu and other harmful bacteria.
Overall, these incidents underline the need for pet owners to remain vigilant and informed about the food they provide to their furry companions.
