California Cat Euthanized After Bird Flu From Raw Cat Food – What Pet Parents Need to Know
Published On: 9/9/2025
Last Updated On: 9/9/2025
By Callie, Seymour, Yebba, and Mama and our Hooman Ashley!
FREE CAT HAIR HACKS
⬇️
FREE CAT HAIR HACKS ⬇️
California Cat Euthanized After Bird Flu From Raw Cat Food
😿 “Wait… bird flu in cats?!”
We know. Our whiskers twitched too when we heard the news. A beloved pet cat in San Francisco was euthanized after contracting H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) linked to eating RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats sliders. It’s the kind of story that makes cat moms clutch us tighter and cat dads Google “safe cat food” at 2AM.
But don’t panic—we’re here to break it down with love, facts, and a little feline sass.
🐾 What Happened in California
According to the FDA and San Francisco health officials:
The cat ate from two specific lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats (lot codes CCS 25 077 and CCS 25 093).
Testing confirmed the food contained the H5N1 bird flu strain.
Sadly, the cat became severely ill and was euthanized.
💡 While this is the first reported U.S. case of H5N1 from raw cat food since March, experts have documented dozens of cats infected nationwide in recent years—often tied to raw milk or raw meat diets.
🐱 Why Bird Flu is Dangerous for Cats
Bird flu isn’t just for birds. It can spread to:
Domestic cats & wild cats (like tigers and lions)
Dogs (though they show milder symptoms)
Humans (rare, but possible with direct exposure)
Signs of bird flu in cats include:
Fever, lethargy, loss of appetite
Inflamed or runny eyes & nose
Coughing or breathing trouble
Neurological issues: tremors, seizures, confusion
If your pet shows these symptoms, call your vet immediately.
CDC infographic titled ‘H5N1 Bird Flu: How is it Spreading?’ showing transmission pathways between wild birds, poultry, cows, cats, and humans. Arrows illustrate how the H5N1 virus can move among these groups. Note states that no human-to-human spread has been detected during the current outbreak in dairy cows
🍗 Raw Cat Food Risks – The Truth Behind the Bowl
Raw diets are trendy—but they carry risks:
Contamination: Salmonella, Listeria, and now H5N1.
Weaker pets are vulnerable: Kittens, seniors, or immune-compromised cats are at higher risk.
Human safety: Handling raw food without proper hygiene can put hoomans at risk too.
That doesn’t mean every raw feeder is doomed—but it does mean every cat parent should stay informed and cautious.
💜 Protecting Your Cats in Berks County (and Beyond)
Here’s how to keep your feline family safe:
Stick to trusted, tested food brands
Wash hands and sanitize surfaces after handling raw pet food
Book preventative vet care like vaccines and wellness exams (Psst: check out ARL’s affordable wellness clinics here)
📩 Stay Informed, Stay Prepared
We’ll keep reporting on pet health alerts so your whiskered ones live their nine lives to the fullest.
👉 Grab our free guide: 3 Cat Hair Hacks That Saved Our Couch and join our email list for weekly cat news + safety tips.
🐾 Coming tomorrow on Stray Cat News
From yoga with cats to paws-itively purrfect adoption fairs, we’ve rounded up the best september cat events in berks county, pa 🐾. whether you’re looking for a day out with fellow cat moms, a chance to support local rescues, or just an excuse to fill your phone with more cat pics (as if you needed one), we’ve got you covered.
👉 check back tomorrow for the full list — or subscribe below to get it delivered straight to your inbox.
