Prevention of Bird Flu in Cats: Practical Steps for Owners

One of the more recent cat health risks making headlines is avian influenza, also known as bird flu. While this virus has traditionally affected birds, recent cases of bird flu in cats and even humans have raised concerns for pet parents. If you’re wondering what it all means for your cat, you’re not alone. Keep reading to get all the facts about the virus so you can be proactive and do what you can to prevent it.

Understanding Avian Influenza

Okay, so what is the H5N1 virus? It goes by many names, including avian influenza or bird flu. No matter the name, it is all the same thing – a flu virus that infects birds, cows, and sometimes other animals. In the past year or so, there have been a growing number of cases of bird flu in cats and even humans as well.

Though cows, cats, and other mammals can contract bird flu, the virus did not originate there. As the name suggests, the virus originated in birds, specifically aquatic birds such as geese, ducks, swans, and other waterfowl. The virus first spread to poultry and cows, and then eventually cats and other mammals through saliva, nasal secretions, feces, infected surfaces, contaminated food, contaminated environments, and other infected animals.

Kate Knutson, DVM, veterinarian and owner at Pet Crossing in Bloomington, MN, shares, “Bird flu has mutated and is now infective in other species, such as cows, dogs and cats. The deadliest infection so far occurs in cats with almost a 100% death rate. No vaccine is available so we must protect our cats by preventing access to the modes of transmission.”

The Emerging Risk of Bird Flu in Cats

The first recorded US cases of avian influenza in cats occurred in 2022 when two barn cats who lived on a poultry farm in Oregon tested positive. Since then, there have been 126 cases of bird flu in cats, with roughly half of those cases recorded this year.

In the beginning, stray or barn cats who had been in close quarters with poultry or wild birds made up the majority of documented cases. There were also some cases of cats who lived on dairy farms who had likely lapped up contaminated raw milk.

It wasn’t until December 2024 that a domestic cat in Oregon contracted bird flu after eating commercially available raw pet food, understandably causing a stir in the pet community. Since then, there have been over a dozen cases of cats contracting the virus from contaminated pet food. Three commercially available raw pet food companies (Northwest Naturals, Wild Coast Raw, and Savage Pet Food) have issued recalls for their products after multiple cats fatally contracted bird flu from consuming them.

Dr. Knutson continues, “Raw milk, raw meat, infected birds and other wildlife, and dairy herds are the major modes of transmission. Avoid exposing your cat or any other pet to any of these to minimize the chances of contracting and dying of the bird flu.”

From all the available reported cases of bird flu in cats, it is safe to say that the most common ways they seem to be contracting the virus are by:

• eating contaminated raw pet food or raw milk products
• hunting and consuming infected wild birds
• coming into contact with infected birds either on a farm or in the wild
• exposure to humans who have been in contact with infected birds or cows (i.e., farm workers)
• exposure to another infected cat

Signs in Affected Cats

One of the best ways to protect your cat is to stay informed and know what bird flu signs and symptoms to look for.

Bird flu signs in cats include:

• fever
• fatigue/lethargy
• decreased appetite
• heavy eye and/or nose discharge
• sneezing, coughing
• difficulty breathing
• neurological issues (incoordination, head tilt, tremors, seizures, blindness)

If your cat is exhibiting any of the above symptoms or if you suspect your cat has been exposed to or contracted the avian influenza virus, you should seek veterinary care immediately. These signs are common to other illnesses and diseases such as rabies, so a veterinary diagnosis is necessary to confirm if it is, in fact, bird flu.

Though some animals can contract bird flu and recover, sometimes not even appearing ill at all, the virus is more serious for cats. In fact, it is proving to be fatal in many cases. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking prompt veterinary care can make all the difference.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you find yourself in the necessary position of seeking veterinary care for your cat infected with bird flu, you can expect your vet to start with a thorough history. They will want to confirm whether or not your cat has come into contact with any potentially infected wild birds, poultry, cattle, or raw milk or pet food products.

Your vet will also perform a physical exam to look for signs and symptoms of bird flu. If bird flu is suspected, they will collect throat and nasal swabs as well as urine and/or blood samples to send to a laboratory for testing.

If your vet suspects bird flu, they will go ahead and hospitalize and isolate your cat. Though there is no specific treatment or cure, your vet will provide supportive care in order to relieve your cat’s symptoms. Supportive care can include IV fluids, oxygen therapy, antibiotics, and nutritional support.

Preventing Bird Flu in Cats

Obviously, the continuing spread of the virus and the lack of a cure are concerning, but the good news is that the risk of contracting bird flu is very low. :Here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk to your cats:

• Keep your outdoor cat inside.
• If your cat must go out, keep them from roaming in areas with known outbreaks.
• Prevent your cat from hunting wild birds.
• Keep your cat away from livestock.
• Stop refilling yard bird feeders if you live in an area with a higher prevalence of bird flu.
• Do not feed your cat raw milk, even if purchased commercially.
• Cook any raw pet food products before feeding, or avoid raw pet food products completely.
• Change your clothes and thoroughly wash your hands if you come into contact with any potentially infected animals.
• Disinfect your shoes before entering your home if you feed birds or walk near bird feeders or other bird gathering places.

“Bird flu is a scary virus for our pets, especially our cats, because it has nearly a 100% mortality rate,” Dr. Knutson says. “No vaccine exists so you must prevent exposure to the things which can carry the virus. This includes raw milk, raw meat, birds and dairy farms. The virus can transmit infection in raw milk and raw meat. Pasteurization and cooking render the virus noninfective. It can also be found in song birds and dairy farms. Keep cats inside and immediately disinfect all clothes and shoes that have been worn on a farm with cows.”

And as always, stay on top of your cat’s veterinary care. Regular wellness checkups and open communication with your vet are key to catching any potential illnesses early on.

There is no denying that the rise of bird flu is unsettling, but awareness is your greatest tool. Just remember that the risk remains low—and most importantly, it’s manageable with a few easy precautions. By staying informed, making thoughtful choices about your cat’s environment and diet, and partnering closely with your AAHA-accredited veterinarian, you can help protect your cat and prevent the spread of the virus.