Cat owners have been alerted to a potential health threat.
Savage Pet of El Cajon, California, is recalling 66 large chicken boxes (84 oz.) and 74 small chicken boxes (21 oz.) with the lot code/”best by” date of 11.15.2026, as these products have “the potential to contain H5N1, also known as bird flu,” according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
The Savage Cat food products were distributed to retailers in five states: California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, the FDA’s website says.
Regular handwashing and cleaning of contact surfaces is highly recommended, the notice also indicates.
“People who handled the recalled products should watch for symptoms of bird flu.”
“People who handled the recalled products should watch for symptoms of bird flu, including eye redness or irritation (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches, fatigue, fever, trouble breathing, seizures, rash, diarrhea, nausea and/or vomiting.”
The notice also says, “People exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare provider and local health department.”
In February, Savage Pet said it was “made aware of one cat in Colorado that contracted H5N1, got sick and recovered.”
The laboratory at Colorado State University “tested sealed packets of Savage Cat Food using PCR testing for H5N1,” the FDA’s site says.
The PCR test results were “non-negative,” according to the same source.
A second cat, cat B, was diagnosed with H5N1 and also died as a result of infection, health officials said – but “this cat did not consume the raw food product but was exposed to a sick cat, cat C. Cat C became ill with fever after consuming Savage Cat Food lot number 11152026.”
“Cat C survived and H5 testing was not performed and cannot be performed, as too much time has passed.”
This suggests that cat B may have been infected after contact with cat C.
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