FDA Announces Recall on Cat Food Over Bird Flu Risk
Pet owners, take note: A brand of cat food has been recalled because of potential bird flu contamination.
Wild Coast Raw has issued a voluntary recall on its Frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats "because it has the potential to be contaminated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 also known as bird flu," according to the Food and Drug Administration.
While the disease primarily impacts wild birds, because the food is raw, pets who eat it could become infected. And owners who handle the food could be at risk as well if they handle the product and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth, according to the FDA.
Here's everything you need to know about the recall.
Which pet food has been recalled?
Wild Coast’s 16 oz. and 24 oz. frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats has been impacted. The food is a frozen product, and the recalled products were distributed in Washington and Oregon. You can identify the impacted products by their lot number, found on the lid.
Lot numbers (with the best by date of 12/25):
#22660
#22653
#22641
#22639
#22672
#22664
Last month, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) had issued a warning to pet owners about lot numbers: #22660 and #22664 after indoor cats in Oregon became ill from eating the same food. This recall now expands to all "raw material sharing similar production dates and lot codes.'
If you have one of the affected products, throw it out immediately — but do so securely, so no other animals can get a hold of it. You can also request a refund from where you bought it. For more information, contact Wild Coast Raw at (360) 591-3543.
What are signs of bird flu in pets?
If your pet ate the recalled cat food, be on the lookout for symptoms of bird flu. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, these symptoms include:
Fever
Lethargy
Low appetite
Reddened or inflamed eyes
Discharge from the eyes and nose
Difficulty breathing
Neurological signs like tremors, stiff body movements, seizure, lack of coordination or blindness
If your pet is displaying these symptoms, contact your vet right away.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that only 70 people have been confirmed to have bird flu, but it’s still important to be cautious. If you're experiencing eye redness and irritation (conjunctivitis), or any flu-like symptoms, and believe you've been exposed to bird flu, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible
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