Safeguarding Your Feline Companion against the Dangerous Avian Influenza
Safeguarding Your Feline Companion against the Dangerous Avian Influenza
Avian flu has been quite prevalent for some time now, but the ongoing U.S. outbreak of H5N1, which started in March 2024, has caused quite a stir due to the potential for it to spread beyond just our feathered friends. Indoor cats, unfortunately, are among the vulnerable population, as they are highly susceptible to the virus and could experience severe illness if they contract it. Several feline casualties have already been reported in Oregon and California.
If you're a cat owner or have felines in your neighborhood, you should be informed about the symptoms of avian flu in cats and take necessary precautions to shield your pets from infection.
What are the indications of avian flu in cats?
Symptoms of avian flu infection in cats can include laziness, fever, and loss of appetite, together with changes in mood and behavior (like inexplicable hiding or excessive sleeping). Some cats may also display redness in their eyes or discharge from their eyes and nose, and may experience respiratory troubles (difficult breathing, sneezing, and coughing) or neurological issues (seizures or tremors).
If your feline exhibits any of these symptoms, keep them isolated from other cats and people with weakened immune systems and contact your vet immediately.
How to safeguard your cat from avian flu
There are several preventive steps you can take to minimize the likelihood of your cat contracting avian flu:
- Avoid feeding them raw meat or unpasteurized dairy, including raw milk. Cooking and pasteurization eliminate hazardous viruses and microorganisms for animals. Check the components of your cat's food to ensure it doesn't contain any raw meat or dairy. Northwest Naturals has recalled certain batches of frozen pet food containing raw turkey—the affected products were sold in 12 U.S. states and British Columbia, Canada.
- Keep your cat away from farm animals, poultry, and wild birds, all of which may be carriers of the virus. Keep them indoors or at least restrict their outdoor wandering, where they are likely to encounter and hunt birds.
- Lastly, wash your hands after touching poultry and any pets, including your cat. Do not engage with sick or dead birds without adequate protection.
To protect your cat from contracting bird flu, it's essential to keep them indoors or limit their outdoor activities to reduce exposure to potential carriers like wild birds or farm animals. Additionally, ensuring your family avoids feeding your cat raw meat or unpasteurized dairy can also help safeguard your feline companion from the virus.