The FDA recommends pet food manufacturers take extra precautions to prevent bird flu contamination in raw pet food and milk. Cats appear particularly vulnerable to the H5N1 virus, with numerous cases of illness and death reported since the outbreak began in 2022. While the FDA's guidance is voluntary, it suggests sourcing healthy ingredients and using heat treatment to inactivate viruses. Experts emphasize that cooking is the most effective way to ensure pet food safety.
As a growing number of cats have gotten sick or died after consuming raw pet food or raw milk contaminated with the H5N1 virus, health officials have advised pet food companies to take extra precautions to protect against bird flu.
Compliance with the FDA’s guidance is voluntary, said Dr. J. Scott Weese, a professor at the Ontario Veterinary College and director of the Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses at the University of Guelph. In addition, the agency could require that companies that market raw food diets place warning labels on their products regarding the risk of foodborne illness in pets and in humans handling the products.NBC News reached out to five raw pet food companies via phone and email for comment on the FDA’s guidance.
Three other raw pet food manufacturers, Primal Pet Foods, Stella & Chewy’s and Carnivore Meat Company, did not respond to requests for comment.
BIRD FLU H5N1 PET FOOD FDA SAFETY RAW FOOD
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