Bird Flu and You
Bird Flu and Raw Feeding: What You Need to Know
If you’re a raw feeder, you’ve probably heard about the recent bird flu concerns. But what does this have to do with your pets? Quite a lot, actually. H5N1, the bird flu strain that’s been circulating for years, has been affecting wild birds and spreading to poultry, dairy cows, and even cats—and yes, humans too.
Cats, both domestic and wild, are particularly vulnerable to the bird flu, and it can have serious consequences. According to AP News:
“Though cases of infection are rare, cats seem especially susceptible to the bird flu virus, or Type A H5N1. Even before the cattle outbreak, there were feline cases linked to wild birds or poultry. Since March [2024], dozens of cats have caught the virus. These include barn and feral cats, indoor cats, and big cats in zoos and in the wild.”
Cats infected with H5N1 can develop severe symptoms, including neurological issues, respiratory distress, or liver disease, which can quickly lead to death. This is another reason it’s so important to make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies – to rule out any similar symptoms. Bird flu can kill a cat within 24 hours.
The Impact on Poultry and Beyond
The bird flu outbreak has led to the culling of nearly 130 million birds across the United States, affecting poultry flocks in all 50 states. While this has impacted the poultry industry and the cost of eggs, it’s also raised concerns about the safety of raw pet food as it is unpasteurized.
Why Pasteurize? A Brief History
Pasteurization is the process of heating food to kill harmful pathogens without altering its flavor or texture too much. It’s commonly used for dairy, meat, and other foods to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination and ensure food safety.
It caught on in the early 20th century “at a time when milk was responsible for 25 percent of all U.S. outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. In 1973 the federal government required that all milk sold across state lines in the U.S. had to be pasteurized, and in 1987 it banned interstate sales of raw milk.”
What is HPP?
High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP) is a non-thermal preservation method that uses extremely high water pressure—up to 87,000 psi—to neutralize pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli without cooking the food.
This method keeps the food raw while reducing the risk of contamination, and some studies suggest it even improves nutrient absorption. For example, HPP-processed foods may have increased protein and fat digestibility. And that is the draw for raw products.
HPP and Raw Diets
HPP allows pet owners to provide their pets with raw food that’s safer and retains most of the nutrients and enzymes. This is achieved by using cold water and pressure in a specialized chamber. The process has been approved by the FDA and ensures that harmful bacteria are neutralized without compromising the food’s integrity.
Safety Tips for Raw Feeding
- Read Labels Carefully
If you’re concerned about feeding your pet raw, you might want to consider switching to gently cooked food or kibble. Gently cooked food is cooked enough to kill harmful bacteria whereas kibble undergoes an extreme cooking process called extrusion. - Practice Safe Handling
When handling raw pet food, wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds and clean all surfaces that come into contact with the food. Be mindful of plastic vessels and cutting boards, as they can harbor bacteria—make sure to clean them in a dishwasher.
- If you choose to cook your raw food, be sure to not cook it with bone added, unless the bone is a small enough grind to not inhibit the consumption by your pets. There are also a number of good gently cooked products available on the market to choose from.
- If you choose to cook your raw food, be sure to not cook it with bone added, unless the bone is a small enough grind to not inhibit the consumption by your pets. There are also a number of good gently cooked products available on the market to choose from.
- Keep Cats Indoors
Cats are natural hunters and love to chase birds, which could increase their risk of exposure to the bird flu. It’s safer to keep them indoors, particularly during an outbreak.
We’ve compiled some links to some of our manufacturers statements regarding how they are handling testing and safety in reference to the Avian Flu. We will continue to update and add to this as new information becomes available.