The Risks of Feeding Raw Pet Food: Is Bird Flu a Threat?
What to Feed Your Pets After Bird Flu Warnings
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) have recently identified raw pet food as a potential source of bird flu infections in pets. So, the question is: what should you feed your pet now?
Is Raw Food Safe?
In my opinion, most raw food is very safe and, in fact, far more nutritious than the “safe kibble" that authorities often recommend. However, due to the current bird flu situation, I would suggest avoiding raw poultry for the time being. This is a precautionary measure to protect your pets from any potential risk.
For this unusual time, I am cooking the chicken for my dog Tula and my cat Cassian. Cooking the chicken will kill any potential virus, ensuring their food is safe and healthy.
Making Sure Your Pet’s Meal is Balanced
If you’re making homemade food for your dog or cat, it’s important to ensure their meal is nutritionally balanced. Adding a complete supplement to their food can help achieve that.
I recommend adding Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula or Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline Health Formula to your pet’s meals. These supplements are designed to fill any nutritional gaps, ensuring your pet gets all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients they need for optimal health.
By taking these simple precautions, you can continue to provide your pets with nutritious and safe meals during this time. Stay safe, and make sure your pets are protected!
Warning Issued Over Raw Pet Food Following HPAI Outbreak in Oregon Cats
Recently, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) issued a warning regarding a potential risk associated with feeding raw pet food to cats. This alert follows an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Oregon, which affected several indoor cats earlier this month. Let’s take a look at what happened, the investigation, and how to protect your pets.
Investigation and Findings: Tracing the Source of Infection
After a series of cats became ill and were euthanized due to the severity of their symptoms, veterinarians and investigators worked to determine the cause of the outbreak. The source was traced back to a specific brand of raw pet food produced by Wild Coast, LLC. All of the affected cats had been fed this brand of food, and laboratory tests confirmed that both the pet food and the cats contained HPAI.
Laboratory tests, conducted at Oregon State University’s Oregon Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratories and the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories, confirmed the presence of HPAI in both feline and food samples.
Product Recall and Public Health Advisory
Following these findings, both the ODA and WSDA issued a public health notice. Further testing of unopened containers of the same raw pet food product revealed potential contamination. Pet owners who have purchased Wild Coast, LLC products are urged to check for the following lot numbers:
- Wild Coast LLC – Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula
- Lot #22660 and Lot #22664
- Best By Date: 12/2025
Tyler Duncan, the founder of Wild Coast Pet Foods, explained that a house cat tested positive for H5N1, which is suspected to be linked to their pet food. Initial tests from open containers of the product yielded “non-negative" results, indicating further investigation was necessary. Sealed retail samples were later tested, confirming one non-negative result from Lot #22664, while Lot #22660 tested negative. As a precautionary measure, both WSDA and ODA advised consumers on February 14th to avoid using pet food from these affected lots.
Recognizing HPAI in Pets
Pet owners should be vigilant and watch for signs of H5N1 infection in their pets. Common symptoms to look for include:
- Fever
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy
- Red or inflamed eyes (often with discharge)
- Breathing difficulties
- Neurological issues (e.g., blindness, incoordination, seizures, or tremors)
If your pet has consumed any product from Wild Coast, LLC and is showing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Safety for Humans and Veterinary Professionals
While there have been no reported human infections linked to handling the affected raw pet food products, it’s essential to follow proper hygiene practices. Thoroughly wash your hands after handling raw pet food or any contaminated surfaces. If you experience any symptoms such as eye irritation, cough, sore throat, sneezing, a runny nose, muscle aches, fatigue, fever, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, seek medical advice promptly.
For veterinary professionals, it’s important to note that avian influenza is a notifiable disease under the World Organization for Animal Health. Any suspected cases of HPAI in birds or in other species, such as dogs or cats, should be reported immediately to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the relevant state animal health authorities. After-hours cases can be reported to the USDA’s foreign animal disease hotline at 866-536-7593.
What This Means for Pet Owners
Tyler Duncan, the founder of Wild Coast Pet Foods, apologized for the delay in communicating this critical information and assured that further updates will be provided on the company’s website as the situation progresses.
For now, it’s essential to stay informed and vigilant. If you’ve used any affected raw pet food products, check your stock immediately, and follow the public health advisories. Share this information with fellow pet owners to help ensure the safety of all pets.
P.S. Yes, bird flu is a real concern and it can cause serious health problems, especially for our cats. But it’s also very uncommon. By taking a few precautions (like cooking protein or avoiding raw poultry), you can ensure your pets are eating nutritious food and staying safe from this disease.
If you’re making homemade food for your dog or cat, I highly encourage you to ensure it’s nutritionally balanced with a complete dog or cat supplement. Some of my top recommendations are:
