In recent developments, pet owners across the Pacific Northwest are being urged to exercise caution following a concerning link between raw pet food and avian influenza. Authorities have reported that two cats in separate households became severely ill after consuming Wild Coast Raw pet food, ultimately leading to their euthanasia. Testing confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in both animals and the food samples. This incident has prompted health departments in Oregon and Washington to issue public advisories, highlighting the risks associated with undercooked or raw pet food products.

Avian Influenza Detected in Raw Pet Food Leads to Urgent Health Advisories

In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, during a season marked by growing concerns over animal health, officials from the Oregon Department of Agriculture sounded the alarm on a potentially dangerous situation involving raw pet food. Two feline fatalities, attributed to severe illness caused by avian flu, have been linked to the consumption of Wild Coast Raw pet food. The affected cats resided in different homes but shared the same brand of food. Tests conducted by authorities confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in both cats and the raw food they consumed.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture also joined forces to issue a public health notice, warning consumers about specific batches of Wild Coast Raw products manufactured in Olympia, Washington. Tyler Duncan, founder of Wild Coast Pet Foods, announced that the company would halt sales of lot numbers #22660 and #22664 of their Chicken Feline Formula, which has a best buy date of December 2025. Duncan advised customers to dispose of these products and seek refunds from their point of purchase. He further recommended cooking any remaining chicken formula to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or switching to non-poultry alternatives.

Wild Coast sources its chicken meat primarily from California, ensuring it meets human-grade standards through USDA-inspected facilities. The company is now collaborating with a third-party laboratory to conduct internal screenings for bird flu in its products. Despite these measures, the outbreak has raised serious questions about the safety of raw pet food, an industry valued at $3 billion in the United States. Recent studies by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have shown that raw pet foods are significantly more likely to carry diseases such as avian flu and salmonella.

In response to the escalating crisis, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency due to the widespread impact of the bird flu outbreak on poultry populations. Los Angeles County health officials also issued warnings about another brand, Monarch Raw Pet Food, sold at farmers markets in California, after detecting the H5 bird flu virus in product samples. Similarly, Northwest Naturals recalled a line of raw and frozen pet food linked to the death of a cat in Oregon.

Data from the University of Maryland School of Public Health indicates that the current U.S. outbreak has seen dramatically higher mortality rates among cats compared to previous incidents. Assistant Professor Kristen Coleman noted that while earlier outbreaks saw about half of infected cats succumbing to the virus, the current rate appears to be around 90%.

From a reader's perspective, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with raw pet food trends. While the allure of providing pets with what seems like a natural diet may be appealing, the health implications cannot be overlooked. Pet owners must remain vigilant and prioritize their animals' well-being by staying informed about product recalls and adhering to health advisories. The ongoing outbreak underscores the importance of responsible pet care and the need for stringent quality control in the pet food industry.