The New York City Department of Health and Hygiene has issued a public advisory against feeding pets, specifically cats, raw pet food from Savage Cat Food following the death of two felines from bird flu. The cases have been linked to a particular lot of poultry packets from the California-based company, which has since initiated a recall of its products, as reported by AMNY.
Both cats were diagnosed with the H5N1 bird flu after consuming the affected Savage Cat Food items, and despite the Health Department's reassurance that the risk of avian flu to humans remains minimal health officials are taking no chances, urging pet owners to monitor their health if they had contact with the infected animals, said in a statement obtained by ABC7NY, and this emphasis on vigilance comes in the wake of the first cat, which had not eaten the infected product directly but was exposed to the virus by another feline that had, is cause for concern as it indicates that the virus may spread among pets without direct consumption of the tainted food.
The Department's guidelines instruct pet owners to dispose of any recalled Savage Cat products immediately or return them to the point of purchase for a refund, the company endorses these measures and asserts its commitment to pet health, as mentioned on its website, affirming that “All of our poultry ingredients are USDA-inspected and passed for human consumption. Our suppliers follow the National Poultry Improvement Plan, which monitors for H5/H7 and work under daily USDA inspection,” as detailed by AMNY.
Symptoms to watch for in cats, according to health officials, include fever, loss of appetite, and severe respiratory issues, and should pet owners notice such signs after their cats have consumed raw meat or dairy products, they're strongly advised to seek veterinary care, with Dr. Michelle Morse emphasizing, “The current risk to New Yorkers of bird flu remains low. Bird flu viruses present a wider risk to the general public only if the virus develops the ability to transmit between people — which we have not seen at this time,” she told AMNY, and beyond that owners should keep their felines indoors to prevent any exposure to wild birds or other sources of infection as detailed by the Health Department's guidance.
In addition to being wary of raw food and milk for pets, dog owners are also advised to steer clear of any dead or sick animals during walks outside to mitigate any potential risks. For pet owners who require additional information, resources for understanding and preventing the spread of bird flu are available through the Health Department's advisories.
