Bird Flu in Cats: Vet Perspective and Prevention Tips

Pet parents are growing more concerned about the risk of bird flu in cats after recent reports of cats contracting avian influenza A (H5N1) from contaminated food sources. In December 2024, one cat died from bird flu traced to raw cat food, while two others got sick after drinking unpasteurized milk from infected cows.

Like many cat parents, you may be worried about your cat contracting bird flu. However, there are plenty of proactive things you can do to reduce your pet’s risks. 

Here’s a veterinary perspective on bird flu in cats, along with guidance on how to keep your cat safe.

Bird Flu Cases in Cats

Prior to 2022, there were no known cases of cats contracting the bird flu and showing symptoms. Since December 2022, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reported 62 cases of the bird flu infecting domestic cats, with 49 of those cases occurring since February 2024. Including wild and captive cats, there have been over 120 detected cases of bird flu in feline animals since 2022.

The symptoms bird flu in cats include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Labored breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Discharge from the eyes and/or nose
• Depression
• Seizures
• Clumsy gait (ataxia)
• Blindness

Unfortunately, many of the detected cases in cats have been fatal. The fatality rate for cats diagnosed with bird flu is reportedly around 67 percent. 

Pet parents should keep in mind that there may be even more cases of bird flu in cats than have been reported. That’s because mild cases of respiratory illness in cats may never be tested for bird flu. 

To diagnose bird flu in a cat, a veterinarian must swab the cat’s throat and collect urine, serum, or blood. Vets then send these samples off-site to a laboratory for testing and report the suspected case to their public health officials for tracking.

How Are Cats Contracting Bird Flu?

One of the more concerning ways that cats are contracting bird flu is through the consumption of raw cat food. This is one of the only ways indoor-only cats with no exposure to dairy or poultry have developed known bird flu infections at this time.

Last year, a cat in Oregon died from bird flu traced to contaminated raw turkey cat food, prompting a nationwide recall by Northwest Naturals. More recently, a cat in California tested positive for bird flu after eating Monarch Raw Pet Food. A sample of the raw cat food showed evidence of the bird flu virus.

Multiple cases have also been detected in cats who have consumed raw milk infected with bird flu. The raw milk of infected cows is not safe for cats to consume. Luckily, pasteurization inactivates the bird flu virus.

Cats can also get bird flu if they are exposed to or consume wild birds or farm birds.

How to Help Prevent Bird Flu in Cats

Luckily, there are easy steps you can take to protect your cat from bird flu. Here is some helpful guidance the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued for cat parents.

• Avoid feeding raw pet food to your cat that contains raw poultry or bird parts. This includes freeze-dried pet food. 
• Do not allow your cat to consume any raw milk products or unpasteurized milk. 
• Keep your cat indoors.
• If your cat goes outside, remove bird feeders or bird baths that may encourage birds to congregate.
• Prevent your cat from contact with farm animals. 
• Make sure your cat is up to date on their rabies vaccine. Rabies symptoms and the neurologic symptoms of bird flu can look like one another.

If your cat is kept inside and doesn’t eat raw food, their risk of contracting avian influenza is minimal. Barn cats are at an increased risk when compared with indoor-only companion cats.

Although bird flu cases in humans are rare, the first fatal case was reported in Louisiana this year. It’s possible for humans to contract bird flu after being in close contact with a sick animal. While the risk of a cat spreading H5N1 to a person is considered low, you should take precautions if you’re concerned your cat may have H5N1. 

Feline Bird Flu and Veterinary Care

Regular veterinary check-ups and getting prompt vet care for any symptoms of bird flu are crucial during this outbreak.

Before taking your cat to the veterinary clinic, make sure to call ahead and describe your cat’s symptoms before showing up so that the clinic can be prepared and limit potential spread. You should prevent any immunocompromised individuals in your home from having contact with a symptomatic cat. Wash your hands after handling your cat.

For more advice on how to keep your cat healthy, talk to your veterinarian. By staying informed and taking proactive measures, pet parents can play a pivotal role in mitigating the spread of avian influenza among our feline friends.