OLYMPIA, Wash. (Michigan News Source) – Wild Coast LLC, the company behind Wild Coast Raw pet food, has issued a voluntary recall of its Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats due to possible contamination with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, also known as bird flu. The affected lots were distributed in Washington and Oregon and come in 16oz and 24oz frozen plastic containers with green labels. More information about the recall can be found here.
Sadly, some of the cats who contacted bird flu from the food had to be euthanized and others remain under veterinary care. Unfortunately, the company reportedly waited a week to issue the recall potentially putting even more cats at risk.
Pet food recall raises questions about raw diet safety.
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Although this recall doesn’t directly impact Michiganders, it has raised concerns among pet owners who opt for a raw food diet for their cats and dogs, believing it to be a healthier alternative to commercial pet food. Owners choose raw diets for various reasons, including mimicking a natural diet, perceived health benefits, avoiding artificial ingredients, managing food sensitivities, weight control, and having greater control over their pets’ nutrition.
However, raw pet food has been linked to multiple bacterial and viral outbreaks, including Salmonella, E. coli, and now bird flu. While some pet owners swear by raw feeding, veterinary experts warn that the risks – especially with recalls like this – may outweigh the benefits.
Small-animal veterinarian Steve Valeika told the Guardian, a news media website, “Especially right now, feeding raw food is just all risk.” He added that he has “no good idea as to why we’re seeing so many sick birds making it into the (pet) food supply – and says this could be “just be the tip of the iceberg.”
Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA) have recommended against feeding pets raw food diets because of bird flu. Other animal health officials are also recommending keeping cats inside as much as possible to keep them from interacting with sick birds or their droppings. However, it appears that some indoor cats have also gotten sick from their owners.
Bird flu danger for cats.
In May of last year, two cats in Michigan tested positive for avian influenza according to a CDC report that was published in February of this year. The report says the cats likely contracted the virus from their owners, who are farmers. These were indoor cats who did not drink unpasteurized milk – but who came in contact with their owners work clothes and boots.
Because the cats belonged to dairy workers, it raised concern with the CDC about the spread of the virus between animals and humans. Michigan State University (MSU) is investigating the cases to understand how the virus jumped to the cats and whether it poses a broader risk.
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According to media reports, nearly 100 domestic cats have tested positive for the bird flu since 2022. Valeika said to the Guardian, “I do think these cats potentially present some risk to humans. We don’t have any idea how big that risk is, but it’s definitely one that should be taken seriously until we know better.”
AVMA warns cat owners as bird flu spreads to felines.
Recently, the AVMA alerted cat owners about bird flu because veterinarians are seeing more cases of it among felines. The organization said, “Cats appear to be particularly susceptible to severe illness, often resulting in death.” They added, “The H5N1 strain of avian flu is of particular concern due to its ability to spread rapidly and potentially infect non-avian species, including mammals like dogs and cats; predators like foxes, bears, and skunks that feed on diseased waterfowl; and some zoo animals.”
The VCA Animal Hospitals network also issued an alert concerning recent cases of bird flu in cats. And although dogs are also susceptible to the virus, VCA says that current evidence shows that canines are less likely to contact the virus than cats. The list of other animals that have gotten bird flu includes foxes, badgers, skunks, and livestock.
Bird flu hits Ann Arbor park and more dead birds found around the state.
This concern from animal officials isn’t just theoretical – Michigan has already seen troubling signs of the virus spreading among wildlife. Recent reports indicate that bird flu struck an Ann Arbor park, with more cases emerging across the state. About a hundred birds were recently found dead at a park in Ann Arbor a few weeks ago according to WXYZ. According to preliminary testing done at MSU, they had the bird flu.
DNR Wildlife Pathologist Julie Melotti said about the 300 dead birds the DNR announced that have been found across five counties in Lower Michigan already this year, “Right now, there’s many frozen bodies of water. You’ve got these geese and ducks that are grouping up in the winter, so you have a large amount of birds in a small space. Bring in a few sick birds and they can spread something like this.”
The recent recall of raw pet food due to bird flu contamination serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with feeding pets uncooked meat, as well as the broader dangers posed by the virus. With cases of infected domestic cats and wildlife increasing across Michigan and the rest of the country, the situation underscores the importance of vigilance in pet care and biosecurity. Whether through food, direct exposure, or environmental contamination, bird flu is proving to be a persistent threat, making it crucial for pet owners to stay informed and take precautions to protect their furry companions.
