H5N1 reaches companion animals, raising new questions for vets

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Companion animals, especially cats, are part of the H5N1 story in a more concrete way than many pet parents may realize. Federal agencies and veterinary groups have been warning that cats can become severely ill or die after exposure to H5N1 through infected birds, contaminated raw milk, raw or undercooked pet food, or contact linked to dairy or poultry operations. Recent U.S. investigations have also shown that even indoor cats can be infected when they live in households connected to dairy work, and the FDA has tied some cat illnesses to contaminated raw pet food, prompting recalls and broader food safety action for manufacturers. AVMA’s Veterinary Vertex recently underscored how substantial that feline burden has become, noting that USDA had documented nearly 70 domestic cat infections in 2025 alone and around 200 U.S. cat cases since the virus appeared in the country in late 2021. (cdc.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this shifts H5N1 from a wildlife-and-livestock issue to a companion animal, workplace safety, and client communication issue. Cats appear particularly vulnerable, and CDC-linked guidance has emphasized asking about diet, outdoor exposure, wild bird contact, and household occupational exposure, while using PPE when handling suspect feline cases with respiratory or neurologic signs. The practical message for pet parents is straightforward: avoid raw milk, avoid raw meat diets that may contain uncooked poultry or cattle ingredients, and keep cats away from wild birds and other potential wildlife exposures. AVMA’s podcast discussion also highlighted an important food-safety detail for client counseling: H5N1 can persist for long periods in frozen or refrigerated raw diets, meaning contaminated products may remain risky well beyond purchase if they are stored and fed over time. (cdc.gov)

What to watch: Expect continued scrutiny of raw pet food, more state and federal guidance for veterinarians, and likely broader surveillance as officials try to clarify how often companion animals are being exposed. The recent AVMA discussion also pointed to changing risk tied to bird migration patterns and ongoing predation exposure, suggesting feline case counts may continue to rise and fall with wildlife activity as well as food-related outbreaks. (fda.gov)