(5MinNewsBreak.com) – Wild Coast Raw has endangered American pets as the company issued a total recall of its raw cat food due to bird flu contamination.
Two Oregon cats have already been euthanized after consuming contaminated raw food, highlighting the growing threat of bird flu that continues to spread unchecked.
Based in Olympia, Washington, Wild Coast Raw has initiated a voluntary recall of its Frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula for cats after detecting potential contamination with the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus.
The recall specifically targets products with lot numbers #22660, #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672, and #22664 that have a Best Buy date of 12/25 and were distributed in Washington State and Oregon.
The recall came after state laboratories confirmed that two Oregon cats fell ill after consuming the raw pet food.
Although the recall was quickly announced, many pet owners are wondering why contaminated ingredients made it into the supply chain in the first place.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture found the H5N1 strain in both the cats and the food products, suggesting multiple failures in our food safety system.
Infectious diseases expert David J. Cennimo explained:
“More recently, ingesting raw food that was made with chickens or other birds that were infected with avian influenza has resulted in cat infections. This is why raw food poses some danger and should be recalled if contaminated with avian influenza.”
Wild Coast Raw founder Tyler Duncan expressed the company’s commitment to safety.
He said, “Effective immediately, we have transitioned to fully cooked poultry recipes to eliminate any potential risk. Cooking raw products to an internal temperature of 165 degrees kills bacteria and viruses, including H5N1, according to the CDC.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) warns that “cats appear to be particularly susceptible to severe illness, often resulting in death” from bird flu.
Pet owners should monitor their cats for symptoms including fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, eye and nose discharge, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs.
Anyone who purchased the recalled products should discard them immediately and contact their veterinarian if their cat shows symptoms.
While the risk to humans remains low, experts caution that “the risk of cat-to-human transmission is considered extremely low, but may increase with prolonged, unprotected exposure to infected animals,” according to the AVMA.
This represents yet another health threat that has grown, with over 80 domestic cats contracting bird flu since 2022.
Wild Coast Raw is offering full refunds to customers who purchased affected products and has provided contact information for those with questions.
“This is a difficult situation — we love our pets, and it’s devastating when they fall ill. If your cat is showing symptoms, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible,” stated WSDA field veterinarian Dr. Zac Turner.
In the meantime, bird flu continues to spread across the country, affecting livestock, wildlife, and now pets.
#RECALL #FDA Voluntary Recall of Wild Coast Raw Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula Raw Pet Food Because of Possible Bird Flu Health Risk. https://t.co/IVo0cOuEe9 pic.twitter.com/qY1ZC23W6Z
— Sandra Frank, EdD, RDN, FAND (@DietitianOnline) March 4, 2025
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