Recent headlines warning about the potential dangers of raw feeding for cats, particularly concerning H5N1 avian flu, have caused significant concern among pet owners. While these concerns are valid, they also deserve careful scrutiny to avoid hasty decisions, such as discarding meat or abandoning raw feeding altogether.
By examining the perspectives of experts in the raw feeding community and understanding the broader context of recent regulatory missteps, we can respond thoughtfully and with confidence in making the best decisions for our pets
Perspective on H5N1 and Raw Feeding
As emphasized by the founder of EZComplete, H5N1 avian flu has been part of the food industry’s reality for years, not an unprecedented crisis. Since its detection in wild birds in 2021 and its subsequent spread to commercially farmed poultry in 2022, H5N1 has drawn attention due to its virulence and that is indeed something we should take seriously.
Bird flu has indeed been around for a long time, but now that it’s killing cats, we need to pay attention.
A critical point to consider is that there has never been a recall of human meat due to avian flu in the United States. This history underscores the effectiveness of the USDA’s APHIS and FSIS in preventing infected meat from entering the commercial food supply. The current concerns appear to be isolated to a specific supplier of raw pet food, suggesting this is not an industry-wide failure but rather a localized issue.
That said, it’s important to note that regulators of the human grade food market make the assumption that food will not be fed raw, but cooked. Extra caution might lead some to temporarily switch to cooked diets or avoid poultry.
Regulatory Missteps
Adding to the unease surrounding raw feeding is a recent report highlighting systemic regulatory failures in the pet food industry. However, it’s crucial to clarify that in this particular case, the problem was not with the pet food companies themselves but with overzealous agricultural officers who failed to follow established protocols. This mismanagement emphasizes the need for balanced regulation that protects safety without unfairly penalizing companies operating responsibly.
It’s also important to note that contamination risks are not exclusive to raw food. Processed pet foods have faced their own share of recalls and safety issues, often due to lax oversight or poor-quality ingredients. This broader context reminds us that all pet food—raw or processed—requires vigilance and informed decision-making from pet owners.
Be Attentive to Commitment to Quality and Sourcing
As my friend Terri Grow often points out, reputable raw food companies take immense pride in their sourcing, safety protocols, and transparency. These companies rigorously test their products, implement strict biosafety measures, and are open about their practices. These qualities set them apart from many processed pet foods, which frequently lack the same level of accountability and commitment to quality.
I personally think it’s essential be do your due diligence on your meat supplier. I have never felt entirely comfortable with grocery store meat which, although regulated to a degree, is put on the market with the assumption that it will be cooked. Suppliers such as the one I use, Hare Today, immediately freeze the meat from the dispatched animal and it never sits out, unfrozen, on a grocery store refrigerator shelf.
A Balanced Approach
In light of the current concerns, caution is reasonable, but panic is unwarranted. For those seeking peace of mind, temporary adjustments such as cooking homemade meals or rotating away from poultry can address worries without sacrificing the benefits of raw feeding. It’s always wise to feed a variety of proteins—beef, pork, rabbit, venison, or others—not just for nutritional balance but also to minimize risk associated with any single protein source.
Ultimately, the situation calls for measured vigilance. Human-grade meat is supported by systems that have kept avian flu out of the human food supply for decades – but that food is cooked before it’s consumed by humans. Meanwhile, high-quality raw food companies are incentivized to uphold standards that rival or exceed those of processed pet food brands.
By staying informed, asking questions, and supporting trusted suppliers, pet owners can navigate these challenges responsibly while ensuring the health and happiness of their feline companions. Thoughtful decision-making, rather than reactionary fear, is the best approach to maintaining a safe and nutritious diet for our beloved cats.
