H5N1 risk in cats puts companion animal care on alert

CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: Companion animals, especially cats, are increasingly part of the H5N1 story as the virus spreads beyond poultry into dairy cattle, wildlife, raw pet food, and raw milk exposures. Federal agencies now explicitly warn that cats can become severely ill or die after consuming contaminated raw meat, raw pet food, or unpasteurized dairy, and the FDA has told cat and dog food manufacturers using uncooked or unpasteurized poultry or cattle ingredients to reanalyze their food safety plans for H5N1. AVMA experts also note that nearly 70 domestic cat infections were documented by USDA this year and about 200 U.S. cat cases have been reported since late 2021, underscoring that this is an active, evolving risk rather than a rare edge case. (fda.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, H5N1 in companion animals is no longer a theoretical risk. Cats appear particularly vulnerable, with reports tied to contaminated raw diets, raw milk, predation, and household exposure linked to dairy work. CDC’s Michigan case series showed indoor cats in dairy worker households developed severe disease, including neurologic signs, and public health investigators urged veterinarians to ask about household occupational exposure and coordinate quickly with state animal and public health officials when H5N1 is suspected. AVMA reporting also highlighted that virus in contaminated raw diets can persist for long periods under frozen or refrigerated storage, meaning exposure risk may continue well past production dates. (cdc.gov)

What to watch: Expect continued updates on testing guidance, pet food controls, and surveillance as regulators and veterinary groups respond to gaps in companion-animal H5N1 detection and reporting. Ongoing avian migration and wildlife circulation mean cat risk from hunting and environmental exposure is also likely to remain relevant alongside foodborne and dairy-linked routes. (fda.gov)