H5N1 Bird Flu Prompts Savage Pet Cat Food Recall Across Five States

Savage Pet of El Cajon, California, has issued a voluntary recall of its raw chicken cat food, specifically those bearing the lot code and “best by” date of 11.15.2026, due to concerns over potential contamination with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The recall, which spans five states—California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington—comes after troubling reports of feline illnesses linked to the product, including one fatality. While no human cases have been reported, the FDA has issued a stern advisory for both pet owners and handlers to exercise caution, underscoring the potential risks posed by the virus.

Bird Flu in Cat Food: A Growing Concern for Pets and Their Humans

The recall marks a sobering moment in the ongoing story of H5N1 avian influenza, a virus that has long been a specter in the world of zoonotic diseases. While its primary victims have historically been birds, the virus has occasionally crossed species barriers, infecting mammals under specific conditions. The recent cases tied to Savage Pet’s raw chicken cat food, however, have reignited concerns about the virus's ability to adapt and spread in unexpected ways.

In New York, two cats reportedly fell ill after consuming the affected product, with one succumbing to the disease and the other showing signs of recovery. Meanwhile, a third case in Colorado involved a cat that had not directly consumed the food but may have been exposed through contact with an infected feline. These incidents have cast a spotlight on the possibility of cat-to-cat transmission, a phenomenon previously documented in scientific studies but now raising alarms among public health officials. The New York City Health Department’s March 15 statement on the matter pointedly emphasized this risk, urging vigilance in monitoring feline populations.

The symptoms of H5N1 in cats, as outlined by the FDA, are grim and varied, ranging from fever and lethargy to respiratory distress and neurological complications. For pet owners, these signs demand swift action, with the agency advising immediate veterinary consultation if any such symptoms arise. Yet the implications extend beyond the health of cats; humans handling contaminated pet food are also at risk. The FDA warns that exposure through the eyes, nose, or mouth could lead to infection, though no such cases have been documented to date. To mitigate this risk, the agency recommends thorough handwashing, regular surface cleaning, and careful handling of pet food.

Savage Pet, for its part, has moved from an initial market withdrawal to a formal recall, signaling the seriousness of the situation. The company has pledged to conduct further testing to ensure the safety of its products, a move that will likely be scrutinized by both regulators and consumers. The recalled items, distributed in November 2024, were packaged in cardboard boxes containing individual plastic packets—a format that, while convenient, may have inadvertently contributed to the spread of contamination.

The broader implications of this recall are difficult to ignore. For one, it highlights the vulnerabilities inherent in the raw pet food industry, a sector that has grown rapidly in recent years as more pet owners seek out natural, minimally processed diets for their animals. While the appeal of such products is undeniable, the risks—ranging from bacterial contamination to, as this case illustrates, viral infections—are equally real. This incident may prompt a reevaluation of safety protocols across the industry, as well as a deeper examination of the regulatory frameworks governing it.

At the same time, the recall serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health—a principle often referred to as “One Health.” The H5N1 virus, after all, did not originate in cats or even in pet food; it is a product of the avian world, where it has wreaked havoc among wild and domesticated bird populations. Its presence in cat food is a downstream effect of this larger ecological crisis, one that underscores the need for comprehensive, cross-disciplinary approaches to disease prevention and control.

For pet owners in the affected states, the immediate priority is clear: check your pantry, dispose of any recalled products, and monitor your pets closely. But the lessons of this episode extend far beyond individual households. They touch on questions of food safety, veterinary care, and public health, all of which demand ongoing attention and action. In an era where zoonotic diseases are an ever-present threat, the story of Savage Pet’s recall is a cautionary tale—and a call to vigilance.