Since May of 2022, 145 domestic cats have been diagnosed with H5N1 avian flu. Although the information from FDA is not exactly clear – in this same time frame, five or six cats were reported by the agency to have consumed a contaminated raw pet food. In other words, 4% of the H5N1 diagnosed cats in the US is believed to have been sickened by a raw pet food.
But what about the remaining 96% of diagnosed cats? What style and brand of pet foods did the remaining 139 diagnosed cats consume? We don’t know, the FDA has not told us.
We filed Freedom of Information Act requests with multiple states that experienced a diagnosed cat, we asked for records regarding the diagnosed cat (in search of information to style of food consumed and if the pet food was tested); Washington, Colorado, South Dakota, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, and New York. Several states reported they did not trace H5N1 avian flu in cats, several states reported the information requested would not to be provided in a FOIA request per their state laws, and a few states did provide us with records.
But of the records we received, not one piece of information was provided as to what style or brand of pet food the sick cat consumed. Not one record indicated if the unknown pet food was tested. We do not know if those records do not exist or if they were withheld in our FOIA.
Are pet food authorities only documenting the style of pet food an H5N1 avian flu diagnosed cat consumed if it was raw? We do not know.
If authorities quietly know what style of pet food the other 139 cats consumed, did anyone test those foods? We do not know, FDA has not told us.
Exposure to outdoors.
The other pertinent piece of information the FDA is neglecting to tell the public is how many of the sickened cats were outdoor cats (either full time such as barn cats or part time outdoors)? Cats that go outdoors could have been infected with H5N1 avian flu from wild birds.
How many of the remaining 139 cats were indoor only cats? How many were indoor/outdoor cats? We do not know, FDA has not told us.
What if 96% of the H5N1 diagnosed cats were indoor/outdoor cats? Some information has been released that several of the diagnosed cats were farm cats, what if all 139 (96%) were outdoor cats? If this was the case, that statistic would show that the most significant risk of infecting a cat with H5N1 avian flu would be exposure to the outdoors. If this is the case, shouldn’t the FDA alert the public to the risk of cats going outdoors? And, by not alerting the public to this risk, isn’t FDA putting more cats at risk by not alerting the public?
The problem is, because FDA is NOT telling us the details, we have to make assumptions. To better protect our pets, we deserve information. All the information.
Without the agency providing pet owners all the information, it is hard not to believe that the FDA is selecting raw pet food as a H5N1 scape goat. The FDA’s only notice to the public pointed fingers at raw pet food stating: “we encourage consumers to carefully consider the risk of this emerging pathogen before feeding their pets uncooked meat or an uncooked pet food product.”
Again…FDA – you are warning pet owners about the circumstances of 4% of the diagnosed cases. What about the remaining 96% of the cases? Don’t pet owners deserve all the information to better protect our pets?
Feel free to email FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine with your concerns; email: AskCVM@fda.hhs.gov.
We sent the FDA the following message:
FDA has issued multiple public alerts regarding raw pet food, the potential of the food being contaminated with HPAI. However, diagnosed cats that consumed a raw pet food only make up 4% of the total (USDA statistics, 145 total diagnosed domestic cats since May 2022). What style of food did 96% of the cats consume? What percentage of cats were indoor only cats? What percentage of cats had access to outdoors?
If – this is an assumption because you have not provided pet owners with any information other than on raw pet foods – 96% of the diagnosed cats were outdoor cats, isn’t FDA being negligent to not warn the public to this significant risk?
If – again an assumption because you have not provided these details – 96% of the diagnosed cats consumed a kibble pet food, isn’t FDA being negligent to not warn the public to this significant risk?
The point is, pet owners CANNOT properly protect their pets when FDA is ONLY providing information about 4% of the cases. We deserve all of the information, and promptly. Before flu season begins.
If the FDA responds, it will be shared.
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
Become a member of our pet food consumer Association. Association for Truth in Pet Food is a a stakeholder organization representing the voice of pet food consumers at AAFCO and with FDA. Your membership helps representatives attend meetings and voice consumer concerns with regulatory authorities. Click Here to learn more.
What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
Is your dog or cat eating risk ingredients? Chinese imports? Petsumer Report tells the ‘rest of the story’ on over 5,000 cat foods, dog foods, and pet treats. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Click Here to preview Petsumer Report. www.PetsumerReport.com
Find Healthy Pet Foods in Your Area Click Here
The 2025 List
Susan’s List of trusted pet foods. Click Here to learn more.
The 2025/26 Treat List
Susan’s List of trusted pet treat manufacturers. Click Here to learn more.