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  1. CVM Updates

FDA Outlines Ways to Reduce Risk of HPAI in Cats

Updated January 17, 2025
December 13, 2024

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing pet owners and animal caretakers with information about ways to reduce the risk to their animals of contracting Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI or H5N1).

Felines, including both domestic and wild cats, such as tigers, mountain lions, lynx, etc., are particularly sensitive to H5N1 and care should be taken to not expose these animals to the virus. Dogs can also contract HPAI, although they usually exhibit mild clinical signs and low mortality compared to cats. At present, HPAI has not been detected in dogs in the United States, but there have been fatal cases in other countries.

There have been several recent investigations indicating transmission of H5N1 to cats through food, most often unpasteurized milk or uncooked meats. H5N1 can be deadly to cats, as well as dogs, so we encourage consumers to carefully consider the risk of this emerging pathogen before feeding their pets uncooked meat or an uncooked pet food product. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Veterinary Medical Association discourage the feeding of uncooked meat diets to companion animals due to the potential presence of pathogens, including H5N1. 

Heat treatments have been shown to be effective for inactivating H5N1 in meat, milk, and egg products. We recommend that consumers follow the USDA guidelines for handling and thorough cooking of raw meat before feeding. Animals should also be kept from hunting and consuming wild birds.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, you should seek veterinary care if your cat or dog appears to have any of the following signs:

  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Low appetite
  • Reddened or inflamed eyes
  • Discharge from the eyes and nose
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Neurologic signs, like tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness

Issued by FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. 
For questions, Contact CVM.

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