If you are wondering if your indoor cat is at risk of contracting bird flu, you have a right to be concerned. With the growing number of bird flu outbreaks across the United States, it’s only natural to be worried about your furry friend. After all, there is always a possibility of your kitty coming into contact with birds and/or the diseases they carry, especially if they manage to escape your home for any amount of time. In this article, I breakdown what bird flu is, how the current spread of bird flu in the U.S. is a potential threat to cats, and steps you can take to ensure your kitty is protected.
What is Bird Flu?
Bird flu is a disease caused by avian influenza A viruses and is typically only spread between birds. However, one specific strain of the avian influenza A virus, which is known as H5N1, is currently causing major outbreaks in the U.S., mainly among poultry and dairy cows.
Thus far, there has not been a significant spread of bird flu to humans, although certain occupations put people at risk for contracting the disease. Those at risk include livestock farmers, backyard bird flock owners, veterinarians, public health responders, and anyone else who would have exposure to infected or dead animals. However, the current outbreak in the U.S. is primarily affecting other animals, which is why cat owners should be informed of the potential risk.
Are Indoor Cats at Risk for Contracting Bird Flu?
Cats are unfortunately not immune to bird flu. There have been reports of more than 80 domestic cats contracting bird flu since 2022. These cases were mostly found in cats that spent the majority of their time outdoors, such as barn cats or feral cats. However, recently there have been a growing number of indoor cats that have contracted the bird flu through eating raw food or drinking unpasteurized milk (see this article for information on the recent recall of raw cat food due to bird flu risk). While rare, infection of indoor cats is occurring, and it’s vital that cat owners be aware of the risk.
While the main mode of transmission to indoor cats so far has been through the consumption of infected food or milk, there are other ways indoor-only cats can become infected with bird flu. For example, the virus can be carried into your home via your clothes or shoes. Veterinarians and other workers in high-risk fields can also bring the virus home if they have had close contact with infected cats. It is recommended that these workers use the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure they do not spread the virus to their pets at home.
What Are the Symptoms of Bird Flu in Cats?
Now that you are informed of the potential risk of bird flu transmission to your cats, you should know what symptoms to look out for if you suspect your indoor cat has been exposed to the disease. Bird flu is often fatal in cats, so the sooner you identify the symptoms and seek veterinary care for your kitty, the better.
According to the CDC, below are some of the most common symptoms you will notice if your kitty has been exposed to bird flu.
- Respiratory issues, such as difficulty breathing
- Low appetite
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Discharge from the eyes and nose
- Red or inflamed eyes
- Neurologic symptoms, such as blindness, tremors, seizures, or incoordination
If you notice any of the above symptoms, seek veterinary care immediately.
How Can You Prevent Bird Flu Transmission to Your Cat?
In order to ensure your indoor cat is not at risk for contracting bird flu, there are some preventative steps you can take.
- Keep Your Cat Indoors: First and foremost, ensure your kitty stays indoors. Cats are at a much higher risk of contracting bird flu if they are exposed to or ingest an infected animal. While it can be challenging at times to make sure your cat doesn’t sneak out, there are steps you can take to make sure they stop trying to leave your home.
- Avoid Raw Food and Unpasteurized Milk: Do not let your cat consume raw food or unpasteurized milk, as these are a major source for bacteria and viruses, including the bird flu.
- Don’t Wear Outside Shoes Inside the House: It’s best practice to leave your shoes at the door, especially if you’ve been walking around in an area where potentially infected animals could have been. Invest in a pair of house shoes that you can wear around the house instead.
- Wash Your Clothes: If you’ve been handling animals that could have been infected with bird flu, especially if you are a veterinarian or work in a field with animals, make sure you wash your clothes as soon as you get home. Don’t let your cat come into contact with any potentially contaminated clothes.
- Keep Your Hands Clean: This may seem like a no-brainer, but don’t touch your cat after touching anything that could have possibly come into contact with an infected animal. Make sure you’re washing your hands regularly.
- Wear PPE: If you work in a high-risk field for contracting bird flu, such as veterinary care, make sure you are always wearing proper PPE (personal protective equipment). This will ensure you can’t pass on the virus to your cat when you get home.
In Conclusion
While the risk is low, indoor cats can contract bird flu through various modes of transmission. This includes coming into contact with an infected animal if they get outside, ingesting raw food or unpasteurized milk, or having close contact with contaminated items you bring in the home, such as clothes, shoes, or other items.
In order to ensure your kitty stays safe, implement preventative measures in your home and take extra care to make sure your kitty cannot slip outdoors. As always, if you notice any signs of sickness in your cat, contact a veterinarian immediately. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
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