The New York City health department is issuing a critical alert to cat owners, advising them to refrain from using Savage Cat Food. This particular brand has been linked to at least three confirmed cases of feline bird flu within the last two months. Health officials have reported that the company, known for its raw, “prey-based” food products, is associated with two house cats that tested positive for the virus and subsequently died.
Avian flu, or bird flu, has caused significant disruption to animal populations and has influenced food prices across New York and the entire United States. Health officials have reassured the public that the risk of transmission to humans remains low. However, the urgency of the situation has prompted the health department to take precautionary measures.
Savage Cat Food was alerted to another potential case of feline infection in Colorado earlier this year. In response, the company issued a letter in mid-February to both retailers and consumers, recalling the affected products and warning about the potential dangers associated with them.
The health department has strongly advised cat owners to report any illnesses immediately and to avoid using Savage Cat Food, as well as any other products that contain raw meat or dairy ingredients. “We strongly encourage New Yorkers whose cats are experiencing illness after consuming Savage Cat Food products or other raw meat or dairy products to contact their veterinarian,” stated Dr. Michelle Morse, the acting city health commissioner, in a formal announcement on Saturday.
Dr. Morse further explained, “Bird flu viruses present a wider risk to the general public only if the virus develops the ability to transmit between people — which we have not seen at this time.” This statement aims to alleviate fears while stressing the importance of vigilance among pet owners.
According to health department reports, one of the affected cats was hospitalized this month after presenting symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, and extreme difficulty in breathing. Another cat linked to Savage Cat Food was diagnosed last month with H5N1, the medical designation for the avian flu, and exhibited similar symptoms. A third cat, also associated with Savage products, likely had bird flu but has since survived, making testing for the infection no longer viable.
Savage co-founder Audrey Brady expressed her condolences regarding the affected cats. In her statement, she noted that the company first became aware of the issue in February. Following reports of illness from a customer in Colorado, Savage Cat Food issued a recall notice on February 17 and initiated a market withdrawal while awaiting final test results. The product in question was subsequently sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for virus isolation testing.
Officials from both Savage and the city highlighted that the poultry linked to these incidents was part of a specific lot, identified by code 11152026. During the ongoing outbreak of bird flu, the virus has been detected in 48 flocks of birds across New York state. Notably, seven of these detections occurred in live poultry markets located in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island just in March, according to the state’s Department of Agriculture and Markets.
In light of these developments, city officials are urging pet owners to keep their cats indoors and to prevent dogs from coming into contact with any dead animals. These measures are essential to mitigate the risk of further infections and to protect the health of both pets and their owners.
