Cats infected with bird flu from raw food diets

[Catherine]

There is an interest in feeding raw food to pets. Some people think it is more natural. So of course there is a whole industry around raw food products and raw milk for pets. Sadly, the raw food has proved to be a source of bird flu for the pets who ate it.  It is unclear how many pets have contracted bird flu. Most are not tested.
Cats in particular are susceptible to bird flu. It can prove fatal. So far it has not transmitted to humans from this source, but the risk is there.

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/bird-flu-...e/63468083

Raw milk is known to be dangerous. That is why we started heat treating milk before human consume it.
Going back to raw milk for our pets seems very risky. There have not been many cases yet, but there could be a major outbreak.
Feeding raw food, that contains raw meat, is risky. Most people don't have the skill or training in food handling.
It would be better to choose a safer form of pet food. Any benefits of a raw diet, if there are any, would be overshadowed by the dangers.
Better to be safe and careful when feeding our pets.

[Aussienan]

That's scary wonder if it's the same in Australia.

[Catherine]

I think anywhere that has a bird flu problem is at risk. The flu transmission happened because infected birds were used in the raw food.
I think if the meat had been cooked there would be a much lower risk. 

Is a raw food pet diet popular in Australia?

[Aussienan]

One of my daughters cats can't tolerate normal processed cat food he eats a raw food diet I've given Edward a little bit of our raw minced meat buts that's rare.

[Catherine]

A lot of cats do well on a raw food diet. I can see how your daughter's cat would be better with a raw food diet. Fifty years ago my mother fed her show cats a raw meat diet. They did very well.
I think there is a problem now, because whole farms are being infected by bird flu in the USA. The meat from those chickens would be dangerous.
There must be times when the bird flu has not yet been detected, but the birds are still carrying it. That is probably how the bird flu is getting into the pet food.

Australia isn't experiencing bird flu outbreaks is it?

[Aussienan]

We have had cases of bird flu in Australia it affected a few of our egg producing chicken farms we get our eggs from a local chicken farm but it isn't affecting any of the ones around our area touch wood,the price of eggs has gone up but prices generally have risen.

[Catherine]

I am glad you don't have too many outbreaks of bird flu. I think it is the USA that is the hardest hit by bird flu outbreaks.
It has gotten into the egg producers and the dairy cattle. That is why it is being passed on through pet food.

Canadian egg prices have risen like other food prices.  I paid over $3.00 for a dozen eggs. American egg prices are much higher. They are paying $4.00-5.00 for a dozen eggs. That is American in dollars. It would be $7.00 Canadian or $8.00 Australian.
That is a big price difference.

It is good you can get your eggs from a local farm. That is much safer.

[Aussienan]

They're lovely eggs as well.

[Catherine]

The eggs would be fresher and that would make all the difference.
My eggs have had quite a journey before they even get to my local grocery store.