(DailyEmailNews.com) – Federal agencies are sounding the alarm about bird flu spreading to pets through a radical new pathway: raw cat food.
Wild Coast Raw has recalled its chicken formula after cats in Oregon and Washington State became infected, and some were euthanized.
The Washington-based company issued a voluntary recall of its Frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula after the Oregon Department of Agriculture detected the highly dangerous H5N1 strain in both sick cats and food samples.
The recall affects products distributed in Washington and Oregon with lot numbers #22660, #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672, and #22664, all with a Best Buy date of 12/25.
Two cats in Oregon were euthanized after consuming the contaminated food, leading to a recent public health alert.
One family’s devastating loss triggered the investigation that revealed the contamination, highlighting the risks of trendy raw pet food diets that many companies market as “natural” alternatives.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) warns that this is not a minor concern.
It said, “Cats appear to be particularly susceptible to severe illness, often resulting in death.”
Cat owners should watch for symptoms including fever, lethargy, poor appetite, eye and nose discharge, breathing difficulties, and neurological signs.
“Effective immediately, we have transitioned to fully cooked poultry recipes to eliminate any potential risk,” said Wild Coast founder Tyler Duncan.
“Cooking raw products to an internal temperature of 165 degrees kills bacteria and viruses, including H5N1, according to the CDC,” he added.
The company’s shift to cooking its products underscores an obvious solution that was available all along.
Although it is common knowledge that raw meat carries disease risks, these products have been allowed to spread despite warnings from veterinary experts about bacterial and viral contamination dangers.
While authorities claim human risk is “extremely low,” the AVMA warns that risk “may increase with prolonged, unprotected exposure to infected animals.”
More concerning is that over 80 domestic cats have contracted bird flu since 2022, showing a pattern that agencies have been slow to address.
Infectious diseases expert David J. Cennimo stated:
“More recently, ingesting raw food that was made with chickens or other birds that were infected with avian influenza has resulted in cat infections. This is why raw food poses some danger and should be recalled if contaminated with avian influenza.”
Consumers who purchased Wild Coast Raw’s chicken formula should immediately stop using it, dispose of it securely in a way animals cannot access it, clean all feeding areas thoroughly, and contact the company for a full refund.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends monitoring pets who consumed the product for any signs of illness.
This incident should make pet owners question why uncooked animal products have been allowed in pet food despite known safety risks.
This comes as health officials struggle to contain the growing avian influenza threat that has already impacted America’s food supply and prices.
RECALL ALERT – Wild Coast Raw is recalling lots of frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats because it has the potential to be contaminated with HPAI H5N1, also known as bird flu. MORE: https://t.co/249zyBVWW3 pic.twitter.com/xo6OvMggtA
— AVMA Recall Watch (@AVMARecallWatch) March 3, 2025
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