Washington state businesses voluntarily recalled raw cat produce this week as they could have been contaminated by avian influenza amid the US poultry and cattle outbreaks.
Wild Coast Raw of Olympia, Washington, has issued a recall of raw pet food from the frozen boneless free range chicken formula, according to a statement issued Saturday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company said at least one pet died after consuming the product.
The product, distributed to pet food retailers in Washington and Oregon, can be “contaminated with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, also known as avian influenza,” the FDA said.
“Recalls are a precaution,” said Tyler Duncan, the company founder, in a social media post.
In a letter to a customer posted on the company's website, Duncan said: “Our products and the safety of our beloved pets is always our number one priority. We are devastated to learn that our beloved pet has passed away, and our hearts have come out to our owners.”
The FDA said the company and the Washington Department of Agriculture are working together to address the cause of the problem.
The recall affects 16 oz. And 24 oz. Size of a chicken formula frozen in a small round white plastic container with green label. The affected lots identified on the lid sticker include the numbers #22660, #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672, #22664.
Scientists say cats are very susceptible to the virus. At least 99 cats have been infected since late 2022, according to the US Department of Agriculture. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported six human cases and one death related to outbreaks.
According to the FDA, there have been no reports of human infections among people who handle raw pet food, but it can be transmitted when the virus enters a person's eyes, nose or mouth.
Consumers given to pets for recalled products should be keeping an eye on avian flu symptoms, including fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and red, inflamed eyes. Other related symptoms include discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, trembling, stiff body movements, seizures, coordination or blindness.
“After feeding this product, pet people who show these signs should contact their veterinarian,” the FDA said. Those who purchase a recall product should throw it away, the agency added.
The recall comes days after the Washington State Department of Agriculture warned pet owners on February 26 that at least two domestic indoor cats from two counties tested positive for avian flu. Pet owners reported supplying cats with recalled potentially contaminated pet food.
The state's Agriculture Department said one cat has been euthanized due to “severity of the disease” and a second cat is being treated by a veterinarian.
