H5N1 Avian Influenza: The Deaths of Two Cats Reignite the Public Health Debate Over Raw Food

The Los Angeles Department of Public Health issued an alert following the serious illness and death of two cats that had been fed commercial raw cat food. One of the cats was confirmed to be infected with the H5N1 virus, clade 2.3.4.4b (genotype B3.13), the strain that is also circulating among dairy cattle and poultry in the United States. Local authorities are monitoring human exposures (family, healthcare staff), but no human cases have been reported at this time. This incident follows a warning from the FDA earlier this month linking a feline case of H5N1 infection to a brand of raw chicken-based pet food. The message from veterinarians is clear: do not feed raw milk, raw meat, or raw food to pets. Pasteurization and cooking remain effective barriers for both human and animal food. In addition, a team from Cornell University has identified potentially dangerous bacteria in raw cat food, including certain strains with antibiotic resistance. This finding isn’t limited to refrigerated or frozen products: freeze-dried foods, often perceived as safer, are also affected.  

From the cat’s bowl to the family table?

The authors compared cooked products with raw foods purchased at pet shops and online. Positive cultures came exclusively from raw food. The bacteria identified include Salmonella, Cronobacter, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas, with genetic factors consistent with resistance mechanisms. Several isolates have genomics similarities to strains implicated in human infections listed in U.S. databases. This similarity does not prove direct transmission, but it raises serious doubts about a possible route of transmission from the cat’s food bowl to the family kitchen. Furthermore, Clostridium perfringens was isolated from freeze-dried treats, serving as a reminder that a “dry” product is not necessarily subject to sterilization: while the absence of water limits bacterial growth, it does not eliminate all risk.  

A public health issue

In the kitchen, raw pet food is often prepared near food intended for humans. A poorly washed cutting board, a knife used interchangeably, or a hasty wipe of the countertop is all it takes for a pathogen to cross over. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised patients are the most at risk from this cross-contamination. The year 2025 brought a new concern, with several reports from the U.S. of feline cases of H5N1 avian influenza linked to raw food. Bacterial contamination is now compounded by a viral infection, which changes the scale of the risk.  

Health Risks, Recalls, and Inspections

Proponents of raw food cite its palatability, better digestibility, and natural qualities. These arguments clash with the laws of microbiology and the reality that the food chain is more difficult to keep safe without cooking. In raw food systems, every link in the chain must be controlled, from the slaughterhouse to the home refrigerator. Without food safety standards comparable to those in place for the human food chain, the claimed benefits are offset by a significant health risk. In the United States, the FDA considers Salmonella a priority hazard in animal feed, leading to numerous inspections and product recalls. The recurring recalls observed in recent years confirm that risk control remains challenging for a segment of the raw food market. The Cornell study broadens the scope by documenting the isolation of bacteria that are less heavily regulated. Thus, the “raw” label requires more than just marketing promises: it demands evidence, audits, and traceability capable of quickly identifying affected batches.  

Biosecurity Standards

In practice, a cat fed a raw diet can shed bacteria without showing clinical signs for several weeks, turning its food bowl and litter box into sources of exposure for humans. In shelters, boarding facilities, and households where vulnerable people live, a raw diet is not recommended. When it is chosen nonetheless, it requires a strict protocol: dedicated surfaces, separate utensils, thorough handwashing, controlled refrigeration, daily cleaning of containers, and rigorous litter box management. Veterinarians should provide advice that includes taking a medical history of the animal feed given to the animal, raising animal owners’ awareness of zoonotic risks, and recommending alternative, complete, and balanced cooked diets. In the event of digestive upset in the animal or unexplained gastroenteritis within the household, the suspected batch must be reported and a veterinary consultation is required.   The Cornell study does not condemn a feeding method on principle; rather, it documents a risk and refocuses the debate on the preventive measures to be adopted in daily life. The more raw products are handled, the stricter the hygiene measures must be. Without ruling out raw food entirely, the study sets forth conditions that, to be met, require a level of discipline that is difficult to enforce among animal owners. Between a pet’s dietary preference and a proven health risk, there should be no choice to make…