#18,862
Yesterday the USDA added a domestic cat from San Francisco to their Mammals with H5N1 list, with a collection date in July and a confirmation date in late August, making the 3rd cat in a month added to the list (see screenshot below).
Since late last year we've seen a spate of similar reports, including:
NYC DOH Update: H5N1 In Cats Linked To Raw Food & Suspected Cat-to-Cat TransmissionLast January US FDA Issued New Requirements For Pet Food Manufacturers - APHIS Updates Turkey Surveillance Policies, although it left the corrective steps largely up to the manufacturers (see snippet below).
Washington State (WSDA) Announces 2 Households with H5N1 Infected Cats Linked to Raw Food
Oregon Dept. of Agriculture Statement On H5N1 In Domestic Cats - WSDA Health Alert on Raw Pet Food
LA County Animal HAN: H5 Bird Flu Confirmed in Three Additional Domestic Cats in LA County & in One Commercially Available Raw Pet Food Product
Under the PCAF requirements, animal food businesses must conduct a reanalysis of their food safety plan when the FDA determines it is necessary to respond to new hazards and developments in scientific understanding.Admittedly, there are limits to what a manufacturer can do to prevent H5N1 contamination of raw milk, dairy, and poultry products. The only safe assumption is that raw food products carry more inherent health risks than pasteurized, or cooked products.
The FDA has determined that it is necessary for cat and dog food manufacturers covered by the PCAF rule, who are using uncooked or unpasteurized materials derived from poultry or cattle (e.g., uncooked meat, unpasteurized milk, unpasteurized eggs) in cat or dog food, to reanalyze their food safety plans to include H5N1 as a new known or reasonably foreseeable hazard.
According to Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), this incident is linked to the Bovine B3.13 genotype of H5N1, which is primarily found in dairy cows, but has spilled over into poultry on occasion.
The press release from the USDA (below) curiously states this B3.13 genotype ` . . . involves a virus lineage that was detected from about November to December 2024 and is no longer circulating' - which based on the data provided, is hard to explain - as the B3.13 genotype has been reported in dairy cattle well into 2025.
It also appears, based on the dates provided by the USDA, that this cat died sometime in July, and we are only now being informed about it.
The full statement from the FDA follow.
FDA Notifies Pet Owners That Tests Show H5N1 Contamination in Certain Lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats
CVM Updates
Following up on a case of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a cat, testing performed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, state and local public health and agriculture partners, and federal partners suggests a link between the strain of H5N1 virus detected in the cat and in certain lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats, a product the cat consumed before falling ill. FDA is sharing information about the testing for public awareness. The agency continues to investigate and will update this notice should new information become available.
Summary
- FDA has found that certain lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats sliders tested positive for H5N1. The affected lots are Lot CCS 25 077 (Sell By 09/18/26) and Lot CCS 25 093 (Sell By 10/03/26).
- The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) was notified a cat that ate product from Lot CCS 25 093 became ill with H5N1 and was euthanized. After initial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of the open product sample from Lot CCS 25 093 collected from the pet owner by SFDPH detected H5N1, confirmatory PCR testing and subsequent whole genome sequencing (WGS) of a diagnostic sample from the cat and the open product sample from Lot CCS 25 093 were performed by USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL).
- FDA collected and tested two retail samples of the same RAWR Chicken Eats product with a different lot number (CCS 25 077) and Sell By date (09/18/26). Both samples were positive for Influenza A Virus, and WGS was performed on one sample, which was also positive for H5N1.
- FDA is concerned about the lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats described above because whole genome sequencing suggests the H5N1 detected in the now-deceased cat and in Lots CCS 25 093 and CCS 25 077 of the Chicken Eats product originated from a common source of contamination.
- WGS results also indicated that H5N1 from all three samples were within the same WGS cluster, indicating relatedness. The cluster involves a virus lineage that was detected from about November to December 2024 and is no longer circulating, supporting that the cat became ill from eating Lot CCS 25 093 of the Chicken Eats product.
- NVSL testing of the cat, Lot CCS 25 093, and Lot CCS 25 077 identified the H5N1 as genotype B3.13. The B3.13 genotype virus has previously been found in other brands of raw poultry-based pet foods that were associated with the illness or death of cats.
- FDA is not aware of any human cases of HPAI contracted through exposure to contaminated pet food.
About H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Cats and Dogs
H5N1 is a virus that can cause illness and death in birds/poultry and mammals such as domestic cats and large felids, like panthers, bobcats and mountain lions. Dogs can also contract HPAI, although they usually exhibit mild clinical signs and low mortality compared to cats. At present, HPAI has not been detected in dogs in the United States, but there have been fatal cases in other countries. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service maintains a list of animals that have tested positive for the virus.
Animals who are very young, very old, or have weak immune systems are especially at risk of contracting HPAI.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, you should seek veterinary care if your cat or dog appears to have any of the following signs:While no human H5N1 infections have been identified among people from handling raw pet food products, humans can become infected if active virus gets into their eyes, nose, or mouth. It is important for people to wash their hands after handling any pet food products and sanitize contact surfaces.
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Low appetite
- Reddened or inflamed eyes
- Discharge from the eyes and nose
- Difficulty breathing
- Neurologic signs, like tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness
Information about Products Tested
RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats, Sell By 09/18/26, is sold frozen in 2.5-pound resealable plastic bags containing 40 1-ounce sliders. The product is sold in retail stores nationwide and online. The bags are yellow and white with black lettering. This product is also marked with lot code CCS 25 077, printed in the center on the back of the bag.
RAWR Cat Food Chicken Eats, Sell By 10/03/26, is sold frozen in 2.5-pound resealable plastic bags containing 40 1-ounce sliders. The product is sold in retail stores nationwide and online. The bags are yellow and white with black lettering. This product may also be marked with lot code CCS 25 093.
