Cats Face Higher Risk of Bird Flu Due to Hunting Habits

Dr. Michael Bailey, the incoming president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), highlighted concerns about cats’ exposure to bird flu in a recent interview with USA Today. He pointed out that felines are naturally more prone to encountering the virus because of their tendency to hunt birds and small mammals.

“We don’t know if the cats are more susceptible than anybody else,” Dr. Bailey said. “It’s just the fact they’re exposed to higher viral burdens because of where they go.”

Bird flu, or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), is primarily transmitted through contact with infected birds, their droppings, or contaminated environments. Though rare, pets can contract the virus, particularly if they eat raw or undercooked meat from infected animals. The AVMA has emphasized that cats can also become infected by consuming unpasteurized milk or dairy products.

Recently, bird flu outbreaks have affected nearly 900 cattle herds across 16 states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, the disease has spread beyond livestock. A sanctuary in Washington reported losing 20 large cats to the virus, which accounted for over half of its animals.

Domestic cats are not immune either. A cat in Oregon died after eating raw, frozen cat food contaminated with the virus. Additionally, an outbreak in South Dakota earlier this year resulted in the deaths of ten cats, with lab results confirming infection with H5N1. Researchers linked the virus strain to cattle in the area, suggesting that infected livestock could pose a risk to nearby pets.

Notably, this strain appears to cause more than just respiratory issues. Infected cats displayed neurological symptoms, a pattern also observed in sea lions and foxes. Scientists warn that if the virus evolves to spread more easily among cats, the potential for transmission to humans could increase.

Currently, there is no vaccine for bird flu in animals within the U.S. As a preventive measure, pet owners are advised to limit their cats’ exposure to wild birds and raw or undercooked foods. Reducing contact with infected wildlife and livestock remains crucial in protecting pets from this evolving threat.

Related Content:

•  California Responds to Dairy Bird Flu Outbreak with State of Emergency
• Deadly Bird Flu Detected at Arizona Zoo
• Stronger Animal Surveillance Needed to Combat Bird Flu Spread, According to WHO
• California Issues Warning Over Raw Milk Contaminated with Bird Flu
• Canada Reports First Human Case of Bird Flu in Teenager

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