Bird flu has been detected in a second brand of raw pet food causing alarm among cat owners. Health officials in Los Angeles confirmed that Monarch Raw Pet Food, sold at California farmers markets, has been linked to multiple feline infections. This follows last week’s recall of Northwest Naturals turkey-based products after an Oregon cat died from consuming contaminated food. Officials are now strongly advising against feeding pets any raw meat or milk products as the investigation into these cases continues.
Raw Pet Food Brands Linked to Bird Flu Cases
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Los Angeles health officials recently confirmed that Monarch Raw Pet Food, sold at California farmers markets, has been linked to bird flu infections in cats. This announcement comes just days after Northwest Naturals recalled turkey-based products following the death of an Oregon cat that consumed their raw food.
In Los Angeles, one indoor cat has tested positive for the virus while four others in the same household are believed to have been exposed. This follows a concerning pattern that began last week when the Oregon case became the first documented instance of an indoor cat with no exposure to poultry or dairy cows dying from bird flu through contaminated commercial raw food.
“The processing that traditional pet foods go through makes it almost impossible for that to happen,” explained Dr. Stephen Cole, an assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Traditional pet foods undergo cooking processes that kill viruses and bacteria.
How Bird Flu Infects Cats: Symptoms to Watch For
Cats appear particularly vulnerable to the bird flu virus. According to experts, the illness can progress rapidly—often leading to death within 24 hours of the first symptoms. Currently, an estimated 67% of infected cats don’t survive.
Dr. Michael Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association, advises pet owners to watch for these warning signs:
- Coughing or sneezing
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Severe depression
- Runny nose
- Eye discharge
More concerning are the neurological symptoms that may develop, including stumbling, ataxia, seizures, or blindness. These neurological presentations are particularly dangerous.
“The problem with catching the illness early is that cats often hide their symptoms until they are very sick,” said Dr. Jane Sykes from UC-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Widespread Investigation Underway
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Health officials are investigating cases in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington State. The outbreak extends beyond domestic cats—a wildlife sanctuary in Washington state reported losing 20 big cats last week.
Dr. Ryan Scholz, state veterinarian for Oregon’s Agriculture Department, believes this may be just the beginning. “I expect we will probably find more cases either looking backward or looking forward,” he said.
Pet health expert Dr. J. Scott Weese agrees: “I’m fairly confident this is the tip of the iceberg. There aren’t a lot of people who are going to pay $100 to $200 to get their dead cat tested.”
Protecting Your Cat: Expert Recommendations
For concerned pet owners, experts offer simple advice: keep cats indoors and avoid raw food products. While only about 2% of pet owners feed their pets commercial raw food diets, the risk is significant.
Officials warn that freezing or freeze-drying does not kill viruses—in fact, these methods are often used by researchers to preserve viruses for study.
The FDA is currently tracking cases and investigating food sources. They recommend thoroughly cooking or pasteurizing any pet food if you’re unsure of its origin.
So far, no human illnesses have been reported from handling contaminated pet foods or through contact with infected animals. However, Los Angeles public health officials have issued a broader warning against consuming “all raw milk and raw meat products” for both humans and pets.
For cat owners, the safest approach is straightforward: “Indoor cats are at virtually no risk,” Weese said, “If the cat is indoor/outdoor, the more time you can keep them inside, the lower the risk.”
