Top Pet Food Brand Recalls Products Due to Bird Flu

A popular pet food brand’s manufacturer has issued a recall of its cat food due to contamination with bird flu, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has reported. The recall affects Northwest Naturals 2lb Feline Turkey Recipe raw and frozen food, produced by Morasch Meats, following tests that confirmed contamination with the H5N1 strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

Alarming news from Oregon revealed a direct connection between the cat food and the tragic death of an indoor cat, detailed in a WSDA Facebook post. The recall targets products with “best if used by” dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/26 B1, sold across the U.S. and British Columbia, as noted by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).

Customers are urged to dispose of the affected products immediately and contact their place of purchase for a full refund. To combat the spread of bird flu, experts strongly advise avoiding the consumption of raw or undercooked meat and raw dairy, limiting contact with sick or dead animals, washing hands thoroughly after handling raw animal products, and keeping pets away from wild waterfowl.

The bird flu is rapidly spreading among both wild and captive animals, causing significant distress. An outbreak devastated the Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Shelton, where 20 big cats succumbed to the virus, disrupting ongoing conservation efforts. This crisis impacted tigers, cougars, lynxes, bobcats, among others.

In addition, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife discovered bird flu in two wild cougars and a raccoon. The Woodland Park Zoo also reported the death of a red-breasted goose due to suspected bird flu.

Though rare, the virus has crossed over to humans. Four agricultural workers in Franklin County tested “presumptively positive” after exposure to infected chickens. This underscores the need for vigilance, as prolonged close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments poses a potential health risk.