Wild Coast Raw Food for Cats Is Recalled Due to Contamination With Bird Flu Virus
The raw food has been linked to the death of several house cats in Oregon
Wild Coast Raw, a pet food supplier, has expanded an earlier recall of its frozen, raw Feline Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula (16- and 24-ounce containers) because the meat may be contaminated with the H5N1 virus that causes avian influenza, otherwise known as bird flu.
The original recall was issued after several pet cats in a household in Oregon became ill and were euthanized. Oregon state officials tested the cats as well as unopened containers of one lot of the Wild Raw product and found that they were positive for the same strain of bird flu.
Other Risks of Raw Pet Food
Bird flu isn’t the only concern with raw pet food. “Like any raw meat, raw pet food can be contaminated with salmonella or other foodborne pathogens,” says James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety and testing at CR. “Those bacteria can make both pets and their owners sick.” People can become infected through their eyes, nose, or mouth, he says, or from handling contaminated pet food or touching contaminated surfaces.
He advises against feeding your pet raw food. But if you do, “consider any container of raw meat contaminated and handle it carefully,” he says. “Disinfect all hard surfaces it touches and wash your hands after you prepare it.”
Symptoms of Bird Flu in Cats
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, signs of bird flu in cats include fever, lethargy, heavy discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, tremors, seizure, incoordination, and blindness. Additionally, cats may have a low appetite or reddened or inflamed eyes. If your pet has any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away.
More Information
If you have any of the recalled Wild Coast Raw products, don’t donate them or feed them to other animals. Instead, discard the containers and contact the retailer for a refund.
Consumers with questions can contact Wild Coast Raw at info@wildcoastraw.com or call 360-591-3543 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.
