- Savage Pet raw chicken products recalled after H5N1-linked cat deaths
- 115 domestic cat infections reported since 2022, with surge in 2024 cases
- Three major raw pet food recalls in 6 months across Western states
- Veterinarians urge transition to cooked diets and pasteurized products
The pet food safety crisis escalated this week as California-based Savage Pet issued a voluntary recall of its raw chicken products. This action follows laboratory-confirmed H5N1 bird flu cases in New York felines, including one fatal infection directly tied to the contaminated food. Federal health agencies report this marks the third significant raw pet food recall in six months, revealing alarming patterns in foodborne avian influenza transmission.
New York City health officials confirmed a tragic case where a previously healthy cat developed severe respiratory distress within 72 hours of consuming Savage Pet products. While final test results remain pending, preliminary analysis showed concerning viral levels. Epidemiologists identified a transmission chain where an exposed-but-untested cat likely passed the virus to a housemate, demonstrating H5N1's alarming adaptability in feline populations.
The Pacific Northwest outbreak provides crucial insights into regional risks. Washington state's Wild Coast Raw recall in June followed eight fatal cat cases in Oregon, where necropsies revealed identical H5N1 strains in both poultry farms and recalled products. This geographical cluster underscores the vulnerability of raw food supply chains near commercial poultry operations, particularly in regions with high wild bird migration activity.
Veterinary nutritionist Dr. Mara Linwood warns: 'The $8 billion raw pet food industry lacks standardized pathogen testing. Unlike human-grade meats, 73% of commercial raw pet products exceed FDA bacterial contamination thresholds.' Emerging research presented at the 2024 Veterinary Internal Medicine Conference reveals raw-fed cats have 4.2x higher zoonotic disease risk compared to those on cooked diets.
Consumer safety advocates recommend three protective measures: immediately discontinuing raw poultry products, checking UPC codes against FDA recall notices, and transitioning to gently cooked meals using USDA-inspected meats. For concerned pet owners, veterinary nutritionists suggest balanced home recipes featuring thoroughly cooked chicken thighs, pumpkin, and feline-specific vitamin blends.