Another raw pet food recall is tied to illness and death in cats
[March 19, 2025] By
JONEL ALECCIA
A California pet food maker has recalled its raw chicken products after
they were linked to bird flu infections in two cats and suspected in a
third in New York City.
The recall is the latest in recent months tied to products potentially
contaminated with the virus that has sickened and killed cats in several
states, after racing through poultry and dairy cattle in the U.S. and
causing illnesses in at least 70 people.
Savage Pet, of El Cajon, California, this week recalled one lot of large
and small chicken boxes because they may be contaminated with Type A
H5N1 influenza virus. The boxes are cardboard and contain individual
plastic packages of products. The lot code and best-by date 11152026 is
stamped on products. The pet food was distributed in California,
Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington state.
New York City health officials this week urged consumers to avoid Savage
Pet products because of the cats' illnesses.
One cat fell ill and died this month after eating the Savage Pet
products. Final test results are pending, but a preliminary test for
H5N1 was “nonnegative,” which indicates that a certain amount of virus
was detected, a department spokesperson said.
A second cat was diagnosed with H5N1 and died — and tests suggested it
was infected with a strain related to that found in the recalled Savage
Pet food. However, that cat did not eat the food; it was exposed to a
third cat that fell ill after eating the food from the implicated lot.
That cat survived but was not tested.
[to top of second column] |
This undated image released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
shows Savage Pet of El Cajon, Calif.'s Savage Cat Food Large Chicken
Boxes and Small Chicken Boxes. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration
via AP)
The New York cases are the latest reports of cats in several states
sickened and killed by H5N1. At least 115 bird flu infections in
domestic cats have been reported to the U.S. Agriculture Department
since 2022, with most logged since 2024. Cats can catch the virus from
wildlife or contaminated milk and food.
Earlier this month, Wild Coast Raw, of Olympia, Washington, recalled
frozen boneless raw chicken cat food after it was linked to illnesses
and deaths in cats in Oregon and Washington. In December, Morasch Meats
of Portland, Oregon, recalled its Northwest Naturals brand of raw and
frozen turkey pet food after it tested positive for the virus and was
linked to the death of a local cat.
Dr. Jarra Jagne, a veterinary expert at Cornell University, said pet
owners should avoid feeding their animals unpasteurized milk or raw pet
food because of the risk of bird flu as well as other germs such as
salmonella, listeria and E. coli.
“I wouldn't give my animals raw anything,” she said. “It's all about
cooking.”
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
