Cat Food Recall Bird Flu – 2025 Update for Pet Owners

Multiple raw cat food brands have faced voluntary recalls since late 2024 due to potential H5N1 bird flu contamination. The affected products—linked to cat illnesses and deaths across several states—have prompted warnings from federal and state health authorities. The recalls span brands including Savage Cat Food, Northwest Naturals, Wild Coast Raw, and Monarch Raw Pet Food, with testing confirming the presence of live H5N1 in some product samples.

State agriculture departments, the FDA, and veterinary laboratories have played central roles in detecting contamination and coordinating responses. While the recalls raised significant concern among pet owners, the FDA has emphasized that no human infections have been traced to handling pet food. Inspections at the Savage Cat Food facility found no issues, and the company’s recall was officially terminated in May 2025.

What is the Savage Cat Food Recall for Bird Flu?

Savage Cat Food, based in El Cajon, California, issued a voluntary recall in March 2025 after a Colorado cat recovered from H5N1 infection and a New York kitten contracted the virus after consuming the product. The recall covered 66 Large Chicken Boxes (84 oz) and 74 Small Chicken Boxes (21 oz) with lot and best-by date 11152026, distributed in November 2024.

Initial PCR testing returned non-negative results, prompting the company to expand the recall for safety. The poultry used in Savage products was USDA-inspected for human consumption. Following an FDA inspection that found no issues at the company’s facility, the recall was officially terminated on May 12, 2025.

Is Raw Cat Food Linked to Bird Flu?

Raw cat food has emerged as a significant vector for H5N1 transmission to cats. The American Veterinary Medical Association has identified raw poultry diets as a new pathway for H5N1 exposure in cats, distinct from contact with wild birds or dairy cattle. Multiple recalls have confirmed this connection through genetic matching of virus strains found in food and affected animals.

Northwest Naturals Recall

In December 2024, Northwest Naturals of Portland, Oregon, recalled one batch of its 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after a Washington County, Oregon, indoor cat died from H5N1. Testing at the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, confirmed by USDA analysis, genetically matched the virus in the cat to the food product. The product carried best-by dates of May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026, and was distributed across multiple states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada.

Wild Coast Raw Recall

Wild Coast Raw, a Washington-based company, recalled its 16-ounce and 24-ounce Frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw cat food on March 1, 2025. The Oregon Department of Agriculture and Washington agriculture departments detected H5N1 in product samples that matched strains found in euthanized Oregon cats. Affected lot numbers included #22660, #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672, and #22664, with a best-by date of December 2025. The product was sold exclusively in Washington and Oregon. Following the recall, Wild Coast shifted its production to fully cooked poultry recipes.

Monarch Raw Pet Food

The Los Angeles County Public Health reported in January 2025 that Monarch Raw Pet Food, based in California, was linked to cat deaths, with testing confirming live H5N1 in one raw diet brand. Monarch has denied the link to its products, and the situation remains under scrutiny.

Has Bird Flu Been Found in Cat Food?

Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of H5N1 bird flu in multiple cat food products, particularly raw frozen varieties. The Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Lab played a critical role in linking the Northwest Naturals Feline Turkey Recipe to a fatal feline case through genetic matching. Similarly, Oregon and Washington agriculture departments detected H5N1 in Wild Coast Raw products, matching strains found in cats that had to be euthanized.

The pattern reveals that raw poultry diets pose a higher risk because they may contain live virus, whereas cooking processes eliminate H5N1. The AVMA has noted this represents a third incident of raw pet food bird flu contamination, underscoring the heightened risks associated with raw feeding practices.

What Cat Food Products Were Recalled Due to Avian Flu Risk?

The following products were subject to voluntary recalls between December 2024 and March 2025 due to confirmed or potential H5N1 contamination.

• Savage Cat Food Chicken (Large and Small Boxes): 66 large boxes (84 oz) and 74 small boxes (21 oz), lot/best-by date 11152026, distributed November 2024. Recall initiated March 14–15, 2025.
• Northwest Naturals Feline Turkey Recipe: 2-pound frozen raw batch, Best By May 21, 2026 and June 23, 2026. Recalled December 2024.
• Wild Coast Raw Frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula: 16-oz and 24-oz sizes, lots #22660, #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672, #22664, Best By 12/25. Recalled March 1, 2025.
• Monarch Raw Pet Food: Linked to deaths in January 2025 per LA County Public Health; company disputes the connection.

Pet owners who have purchased these products should discard them immediately and monitor their cats for signs of illness. Consulting a veterinarian is recommended if a cat has consumed any recalled food.

What Symptoms Should Cat Owners Watch For?

Cats infected with H5N1 through contaminated food may exhibit various symptoms, though specific clinical signs were not detailed in the available source materials. The infections have affected indoor cats, barn cats, feral cats, and zoo animals since March 2024. Dozens of cases have been documented, with some resulting in death requiring euthanasia.

For humans who handle raw pet food, the FDA advises watching for eye redness or conjunctivitis, cough, sore throat, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, fever, difficulty breathing, seizures, rash, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms may develop if live virus contacts the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Timeline of Cat Food Recalls and Bird Flu Developments

The following timeline summarizes key events in the H5N1 contamination issue affecting cat food products.

1. March 2024: H5N1 outbreak in U.S. dairy cattle begins; barn cats’ deaths help detect the initial spread.
2. December 2024: Northwest Naturals issues voluntary recall after an indoor cat in Oregon dies from H5N1 genetically matched to the company’s Feline Turkey Recipe.
3. January 2025: Multiple cat deaths reported from two raw food brands, including confirmation linking Monarch Raw Pet Food to fatalities.
4. February 2025: Savage Cat Food becomes aware of a Colorado cat that recovered from H5N1; initial PCR testing returns non-negative results.
5. March 1, 2025: Wild Coast Raw announces recall of frozen chicken raw cat food after Oregon and Washington agriculture departments detect H5N1 in product samples.
6. March 13–15, 2025: Savage escalates to a full recall after a New York kitten contracts H5N1 from the product; the FDA posts its official recall notice.
7. May 12, 2025: Savage Cat Food recall officially terminated after an FDA inspection found no issues at the company’s facility.

Confirmed Facts Versus Remaining Uncertainties

The following comparison clarifies what is established regarding the recalls and what remains unclear.

Why Raw Diets Carry Higher Risk

Raw cat food diets, particularly those containing uncooked poultry, present a heightened risk for H5N1 transmission because the virus can survive in frozen and raw products. Unlike cooked or commercial kibble, raw food undergoes no heat treatment that would deactivate the pathogen. This characteristic explains why multiple recalls have targeted raw frozen products rather than dry or wet commercial cat foods.

The broader 2024–2025 bird flu outbreak has affected dairy cattle, wild birds, and various mammals, creating multiple pathways for contamination. Cats that hunt or have access to outdoor environments have historically faced exposure risks from infected birds, but the pet food channel introduced a new route of transmission through commercially prepared raw diets.

“Raw poultry diets have emerged as a new exposure pathway for H5N1 in cats, beyond what we have seen with wild birds or dairy contact.”

— American Veterinary Medical Association

What Pet Owners Should Do Now

Pet owners who have purchased any of the recalled products should dispose of them immediately, taking care to seal the packaging before discarding it with regular household trash. Cats that have consumed recalled food should be monitored closely for signs of illness, and a veterinarian should be consulted if any symptoms develop.

Switching to cooked commercial foods or dry kibble eliminates the risk associated with raw diets during this period. The USDA continues to monitor the situation, and pet owners are encouraged to check the agency’s recall listings periodically for updates. As of May 2025, no ongoing recalls were noted for any of the affected brands.

For those who prefer raw feeding, ensuring that any raw meat intended for pets comes from sources with documented biosecurity measures and testing protocols can reduce—but not eliminate—the risk of viral contamination.

Summary

The wave of cat food recalls since late 2024 has highlighted the vulnerability of raw poultry-based pet foods to H5N1 bird flu contamination. Savage Cat Food, Northwest Naturals, Wild Coast Raw, and Monarch Raw Pet Food have all been connected to feline illnesses or deaths through testing confirmed by state and federal authorities. While the Savage recall has been terminated following a clean FDA inspection, the broader pattern of contamination underscores the risks inherent in raw feeding. Pet owners should stay informed through official recall channels, monitor their cats for illness, and consult veterinarians if exposure to recalled products is suspected. For guidance on maintaining pet health during such outbreaks, resources on Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – Complete Breed Guide and What Kills a Sore Throat Fast – Top Remedies Ranked by Speed provide additional context on health monitoring practices.

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