Bird Flu Warning Issued for Cat Owners in California

Cat parents across California are being warned to avoid purchasing Monarch Raw Pet Food after a cat tested positive for bird flu. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recently issued the advisory, highlighting concerns over the spread of the H5N1 virus.

This advisory follows the detection of the virus in Monarch Raw Pet Food, which is frequently sold at farmer’s markets throughout the state. “A house cat that consumed this product has been confirmed H5 bird flu positive,” the department stated. Additionally, four other cats in the same household are believed to have contracted the virus after consuming the same food.

Pet parents are urged to seek immediate veterinary care if their animals show symptoms of bird flu, especially if they have consumed raw pet food or unpasteurized dairy products. A comprehensive list of Monarch Raw Pet Food sale locations is available on the company’s website.

This marks the second alert regarding raw pet food and bird flu in recent weeks. On December 26, the Oregon Department of Agriculture issued a similar warning concerning Northwest Naturals’ raw and frozen turkey pet food. Testing revealed a match between the virus found in the food and the illness that caused the death of a cat in Washington County.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories and the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed these findings. As a precaution, the company voluntarily recalled the affected products.

Reports indicate that numerous cats have died since the bird flu outbreak began in March 2024. Cats appear particularly vulnerable, contracting the virus through raw meat, unpasteurized dairy, infected birds, or contact with contaminated clothing worn by poultry workers.

Despite the concerning trend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that the risk to the general public remains low. There have been no recorded cases of human-to-human transmission, though some individuals have been infected after handling sick animals.

Officials recommend that cat parents refrain from feeding their pets raw or undercooked meat and dairy products. Additionally, they encourage minimizing contact with sick animals, washing hands after handling raw animal products, and reporting any dead or ill birds to local authorities. Keeping pets away from wild birds is also advised to prevent further spread of the virus.

Related Content:

•  Cats Face Higher Risk of Bird Flu Due to Hunting Habits
• California Responds to Dairy Bird Flu Outbreak with State of Emergency
• Deadly Bird Flu Detected at Arizona Zoo
• Federal Action to Test Milk for Bird Flu Raises Public Health Concerns
• Federal Officials Push for Expanded Bird Flu Testing Among Farmworkers

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