H5N1 keeps companion animals on the veterinary radar

Companion animals, especially cats, remain a key concern in the evolving H5N1 outbreak because they can become infected through exposure to infected birds, contaminated raw poultry, and unpasteurized dairy products, and in some cases through contact linked to affected dairy operations. CDC says clinical signs in cats can range from lethargy and poor appetite to severe neurologic disease, respiratory illness, and sudden death, while USDA and FDA have both highlighted risks tied to contaminated raw animal products. AVMA reporting has added important context: since H5N1 reached the U.S. in late 2021, roughly 200 cat cases have been documented nationally, including nearly 70 this year alone, and experts interviewed by AVMA said cats remain at ongoing risk from predation as well as raw milk and commercial raw diets. They also noted that contaminated frozen or refrigerated raw food may remain risky for long periods, citing California cat deaths linked to a raw chicken diet with a sell-by date extending to 2026. In the past year, regulators have also taken a more active stance: FDA said cat and dog food manufacturers using uncooked or unpasteurized poultry or cattle ingredients must consider H5N1 in their food safety plans, and the agency has issued public alerts tied to contaminated raw cat food after cat deaths. (cdc.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this is now less a theoretical zoonotic issue and more a practical triage, history-taking, and infection-control problem. CDC recommends using PPE when examining animals suspected or confirmed to have H5N1, and specifically advises veterinarians to ask about exposure history, including raw diets, raw milk, wildlife contact, and household links to dairy or poultry work. Emerging reports have reinforced that cats can present with acute neurologic signs after ingesting contaminated products, and one CDC-published case series described H5N1 virus isolated from cat urine after raw milk ingestion, underscoring both diagnostic and biosafety implications in clinical settings. AVMA coverage also stresses how quickly the epidemiology can shift with bird migration and mammalian spillover, reinforcing the need for clinicians to keep updating risk assessments rather than relying on older assumptions. (cdc.gov)

What to watch: Expect continued scrutiny of raw pet food and dairy exposure pathways, along with updated surveillance and guidance as animal and human health agencies refine their H5N1 response. Seasonal changes in wild bird activity may also matter, given AVMA reporting that companion animal cases have risen again alongside avian migration patterns. (fda.gov)