Bird flu proves fatal to cats: Here's how to protect your pets

Dozens of cats have reportedly contracted the virus since the start of the current outbreak in March 2024.

Jim Keen, DVM, director of vet sciences at the Center for a Humane Economy in Maryland, noted that infected cats have shown respiratory and neurological symptoms.

Felines are "extremely susceptible" to the current strain that has been circulating in waterfowl and domestic poultry, he told Fox News Digital.

Cats can also be infected with bird flu by eating raw poultry or unpasteurized dairy products, like raw cat food or raw milk.

Although there have not been reports of dogs being infected with bird flu in the U.S., according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there have been fatal cases in other countries - but canines usually exhibit mild symptoms and low mortality compared to cats. 

The FDA released an advisory on Jan. 17 stating the need for cat and dog food manufacturers - who are regulated by the FDA and use uncooked or unpasteurized ingredients from poultry or cattle - to "reanalyze their food safety plans" to include bird flu as a "known or reasonably foreseeable hazard."

"The FDA is tracking cases of H5N1 in domestic and wild cats in California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington State that are associated with eating contaminated food products," the notice read.

Fox News Digital reached out to the FDA for comment.

In most cases, pet food that is freeze-dried or raw has not been heated to a hot enough temperature (165 degrees) for the virus to be killed off, meaning these diets "are not safe," Tu cautioned.

The risk of mortality in domestic cats infected with bird flu can be as high as 67%, according to Tu.

For cats especially, experts recommend keeping them indoors to prevent access to infected birds, especially in regions where cases have been confirmed.

"This virus has been reported in house mice as well," Tu said. "Cats are going to hunt, so trying to keep them away from undocumented sources of food is probably my top recommendation."

Both Keen and Tu advised against feeding pets raw milk, raw cream or raw pet food.

"If you are cooking your own food at home for your pets, make sure it is heated up to a temperature of 165 degrees," Tu reiterated.