After a cat located in San Fransisco, California, tested positive for H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), the FDA, state and local public health and agriculture partners, and federal partners suggest that after further testing, there a link between the strain detected in the cat and certain lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats, a product the cat ate prior to falling ill.
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According to the FDA, the San Francisco Department Public Health (SFDPH) was notified a cat ate Lot CC 25 093 before becoming ill with H5N1 and euthanized.1 An initial PCR testing of the open product was conducted and detected H5N1. Subsequent whole genome sequencing (WGS) of a diagnostic sample from the cat and the open sample from Lot CCS 25 093 were performed by the USDA National Veterinary Service Laboratories.
The FDA then collected and tested 2 retail samples of the same RAWR Chicken Eats product with a different lot number (CC 25 077) and Sell By Date (09/18/26), each testing positive for Influenza A Virus, and a WFS performed on one sample was also positive for H5N1.1 WGS results also indicated that H5N1 from all 3 samples were within the same WGS cluster, indicating relatedness. This cluster involves a virus lineage that was detected from around November to December 2024, and is no longer circulating, supporting that the infected cat became ill from eating the Lot CCS 25 093 of the Chicken Eats product.1
RELATED: Additional cat food company announces recall over H5N1 concerns
NVSL testing of the cat, Lot CCS 25 093, and Lot CCS 25 077 identified the H5N1 as genotype B3.13. This genotype virus was found in other brands of raw poultry-based pet foods before that were associated with the illness or death of cats.1
The RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats, Sell by 09/18/26, and RAWR Cat Food Chicken Eats, Sell by 10/03/26, are sold in 2.5-pound resealable frozen plastic bags that have 40 1 ounce sliders in them in retail stores nationwide and online. The bags are white and yellow with black lettering, and have the lot code CCS 25 077 and CCS 25 093 printed in the center of the back of each bag.
At this time, the FDA is not aware of any human cases of HPAI contracted through exposure to contaminated food.
H5N1 in dogs and cats
The H5N1 virus can result in illness and death in birds and mammals such as domesticated cats and large felids as well as dogs. For dogs however, their cases usually present with mild clinical signs and low mortality in comparison to cats. Currently, there are no known dogs with highly pathogenic avian influenza in the United Sates, but other countries have seen fatal cases. There is a list of animals that have tested positive for the virus on the USDA’s APHIS website.
Animals who have weak immune systems or are very old or young are especially at risk of contracting the virus. Animals with the virus typical present with the following signs, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association2:
- Discharge from the eyes and nose
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Low appetite
- Neurologic signs such as blindness, incoordination, seizures, and tremors
- Reddened or inflamed eyes.
While there have been no identified cases of H5N1 infections among anyone handling raw pet food products, humans are still at risk of being infected if an active virus gets into their eyes, nose, our mouth. Because of this, it is crucial for people to wash their hands after handling any pet food products as well as sanitize contact surfaces.
References
- FDA Notifies Pet Owners That Tests Show H5N1 Contamination in Certain Lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats. News release. US Food and Drug Administration. September 3, 2025. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-notifies-pet-owners-tests-show-h5n1-contamination-certain-lots-rawr-raw-cat-food-chicken-eats?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
- American Veterinary Medical Association. Avian influenza in companion animals. American Veterinary Medical Association. Published 2025. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-companion-animals