(AmericanProsperity.com) – Natural pet food enthusiasts beware: a recent alarming recall has revealed that raw chicken meal for cats could be deadly.
Wild Coast Raw has recalled its Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula for cats after the H5N1 Bird Flu was found in the products.
Two cats in Oregon have already been euthanized after consuming the contaminated food.
The Washington-based pet food company issued a voluntary recall affecting products distributed in Washington and Oregon.
The affected products have lot numbers #22660, #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672, and #22664, all with a Best Buy date of 12/25.
The recall came after the Oregon Department of Agriculture confirmed the deadly H5N1 strain in affected cats and in the raw chicken products.
This recall is particularly concerning as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has warned that cats are especially vulnerable to bird flu.
“Cats appear to be particularly susceptible to severe illness, often resulting in death,” the AVMA stated, highlighting the serious nature of this contamination.
Cat owners should be on alert for symptoms including fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, eye and nose discharge, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs in their pets.
Owners should seek veterinary care if a cat has consumed Wild Coast Raw products and shows any of these symptoms.
Over 80 domestic cats have contracted bird flu since 2022, showing a disturbing spread pattern among household pets.
Infectious Diseases professor David J. Cennimo explained:
“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.”
Wild Coast Raw has now transitioned to fully cooked poultry recipes to eliminate potential risks.
According to company founder Tyler Duncan, “Cooking raw products to an internal temperature of 165 degrees kills bacteria and viruses, including H5N1, according to the CDC.”
While authorities claim the risk of cat-to-human transmission is low, they still recommend caution.
The AVMA notes that the risk “may increase with prolonged, unprotected exposure to infected animals.”
Human symptoms of bird flu can include eye irritation, respiratory issues, muscle aches, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Government health officials are monitoring individuals exposed to infected animals for 10 days post-exposure, raising questions about potential overreach in surveillance protocols.
“This is a difficult situation — we love our pets, and it’s devastating when they fall ill. If your cat is showing symptoms, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible,” said Washington State Department of Agriculture field veterinarian Dr. Zac Turner.
Consumers who purchased the affected products are advised not to feed them to pets and should discard them securely.
A full refund is available for those who purchased the recalled product by contacting Wild Coast Raw.
For those who prefer natural pet food options, experts note that no cases of bird flu have been reported from cooked bird products, which are considered safe.
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