Researcher Warns: Pet Cats and Dogs Are at Risk of Getting Bird Flu

The recent bird flu outbreak has spread like wildfire through dairy cows in the United States, affecting more than 90 herds in 12 states. In addition to cows, several other species and at least three farmworkers got infected. The outbreak that has been sickening and killing wild birds has also caused mounting casualties in cats. 

In fact, on some dairy farms, sick and dead cats were the first sign that something was wrong.

Data shows that at least 21 cats in nine states have caught the disease since the first dairy cow outbreak was detected in March. 

For scientists, it’s no secret that cats are highly susceptible to bird flu viruses. A few years ago, a new type of bird flu virus, known as H5N1 emerged. The new strain spread quickly around the world, infecting different types of mammals, including cats.

“Domestic cats are actually highly susceptible to avian influenza, and essentially H5N1,” said Kristen Coleman, an infectious disease researcher at the University of Maryland. “But there has been a recent uptick in domestic cat infections, a drastic uptick.”

There have also been several reports of infected dogs.

For now, bird flu infections in pets remain rare, but they can be detrimental, especially in cats. Coleman warns that infected cats can develop symptoms that oftentimes cause death.

Bird flu is a very serious infection that must be taken seriously. Luckily, there are several ways pet parents can prevent their cats and dogs from contracting the infection.

Cats infected on dairy farms became sick after drinking unpasteurized milk, also known as raw milk, which contained very high levels of the virus. However, this isn’t the first time cats come into contact with bird flu.

Even before the recent dairy cow outbreak, there were reports of infected cats. These cats probably got the virus after they came into contact with infected birds. 

Felines infected by the bird flu usually become extremely sick, and in several instances, the mortality rate was alarmingly high. 

Coleman found that the new version of H5N1 has a 67% death rate in domestic cats. These findings are available in a preliminary form on MedRxiv and are awaiting peer review. 

Infected cats mostly develop fevers, loss of appetite, and respiratory issues, which may include difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, and pneumonia. Neurological symptoms also accompany the infection, including tremors, stiffness, and seizures. Often, the symptoms of bird flu are confused with rabies.

Some cats remain asymptomatic, but scientists still don’t know how often that happens since these mild cases often remain undiagnosed. 

Scientists still don’t know whether cats can transmit the newest version of bird flu to people and other animals. But, previous studies have shown that they can spread some bird flu viruses to other cats and people. 

In addition to cats, dogs are at risk, too. But the good news is that dogs seem to be less susceptible to the virus than cats. 

In a recent study, researchers analyzed blood samples from nearly 200 hunting dogs, looking for antibodies that would show that the dogs previously had been infected by bird flu. The results showed that only four dogs had antibodies. None of those dogs developed any symptoms or transferred the virus to other canines in their home. 

These findings suggest that the virus doesn’t affect dogs the same way it affects cats. 

According to experts, indoor-only pets are at an extremely low risk of getting bird flu. However, owners should still avoid feeding their pets raw meat or raw milk, which could transmit the virus. 

When it comes to outdoor pets, keep them away from sick or dead birds. Removing bird feeders and baths can also help stop the spread of the disease. 

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