Raw cat food tests positive for H5N1

After a cat located in San Fransisco, California, tested positive for H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, the FDA, state and local public health and agriculture partners, and federal partners suggest that after further testing, there a link between the strain detected in the cat and certain lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats, a product the cat ate before falling ill.

According to the FDA, the San Francisco Department of Public Health was notified that a cat ate Lot CC 25 093 before becoming ill with H5N1 and was euthanized.1 Initial PCR testing of the open product detected H5N1. Subsequent whole genome sequencing (WGS) of a diagnostic sample from the cat and the open sample from Lot CCS 25 093 was performed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Service Laboratories (NVSL).

The FDA then collected and tested 2 retail samples of the same RAWR Chicken Eats product with a different lot number (CC 25 077) and Sell By Date (09/18/26), each testing positive for Influenza A Virus, and a WFS performed on one sample was also positive for H5N1.1 WGS results also indicated that H5N1 from all 3 samples were within the same WGS cluster, indicating relatedness. This cluster involves a virus lineage detected from approximately November to December 2024. It is no longer circulating, supporting the idea that the infected cat became ill from eating the Lot CCS 25 093 of the Chicken Eats product.1

RELATED: Additional cat food company announces recall over H5N1 concerns

NVSL testing of the cat, Lot CCS 25 093, and Lot CCS 25 077 identified the H5N1 as genotype B3.13. This genotype virus was found in other brands of raw poultry-based pet foods that were associated with the illness or death of cats.1

The RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats, Sell by 09/18/26, and RAWR Cat Food Chicken Eats, Sell by 10/03/26, are sold in 2.5-pound resealable frozen plastic bags that have 40 1-oz sliders in them in retail stores nationwide and online. The bags are white and yellow with black lettering, and have the lot code CCS 25 077 or CCS 25 093 printed in the center of the back of each bag.

At this time, the FDA is not aware of any human cases of H5N1 contracted through exposure to contaminated food.

H5N1 in dogs and cats

The H5N1 virus can result in illness and death in birds and mammals, such as domesticated cats, large felids, and dogs. However, cases in dogs usually present with mild clinical signs and low mortality compared to cats. Currently, there are no known dogs with highly pathogenic avian influenza in the United States, but other countries have seen fatal cases. There is a list of animals that have tested positive for the virus on the USDA’s APHIS website.

Animals with weak immune systems or that are very old or young are at risk of contracting the virus. Animals with the virus typically present with the following signs, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association2:

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

While there have been no identified cases of H5N1 infections among anyone handling raw pet food products, humans are still at risk of being infected if an active virus gets into their eyes, nose, or mouth. Because of this, it is crucial for people to wash their hands after handling any pet food products and to sanitize contact surfaces.

References

1. FDA notifies pet owners that tests show H5N1 contamination in certain lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats. News release. US Food and Drug Administration. September 3, 2025. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-notifies-pet-owners-tests-show-h5n1-contamination-certain-lots-rawr-raw-cat-food-chicken-eats?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
2. American Veterinary Medical Association. Avian influenza in companion animals. American Veterinary Medical Association. Published 2025. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-companion-animals