Bird Flu Outbreak in Cats Explained
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- Опубликовано: 10 янв 2025
- The bird flu virus (H5N1) has made headlines for its impact on animals beyond birds. Dozens of domestic cats and wild cats, including those in sanctuaries and zoos, have tragically succumbed to the virus. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, cats seem to be susceptible to severe illness from bird flu, often resulting in fatal outcomes.
In this video, we break down everything cat owners need to know to protect their cats during this alarming outbreak. Learn about the virus, how it spreads, symptoms to watch for, and the steps you can take to safeguard your cat.
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"If you find a dead bird in the wild don't touch it, definitely don't lick it" -- feral cats are going to have trouble with that memo.
😂
Only if they're starving. Cats prefer to kill their own prey.
@@benoithudson7235 yes, and we’ve seen a lot of dead birds lying in the street, over the past few years. Scary.
They sure did! They even refused to read it!
Exactly!! SMH
As a caregiver for a feral cat colony this was super helpful, thank you! I have 3 cats at home, one feral I adopted last year and 2 senior cats and my main goal is always to protect them the best I can.
Thanks for the positive feedback!
Very informative! Thank you.
You are welcome!
This is going to be VERY HARD. We adopted a stray ( or I should say a stray cat adopted our chickens then it adopted us since we came with the chickens) we have only one chicken left and she (the cat) and our last remaining chicken are best buddies. If our chicken is out in her yard our cat is right there with her. They even dust bathe together. Our cat even took out a young hawk when it went after her chicken sister, yes took it out. If they aren’t together they get very agitated. Our chicken turns 14 this year and needs her Kitty.
Keep your chicken away from wild birds as much as possible and you should be fine.
Time for a house chicken and kitty! Check out Chicken Run Rescue for mor bio security advice
Anyway to bring chicken and kitty inside? That would drastically limit exposure for both of them
That sounds like such a special bond between your cat and chicken! If you have any questions on how to keep them both safe, join our Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST.
Charming
Thank you for this critical information.
You are welcome!
“Definitely don’t lick it” 😂🤣
😅😂🤣
H5N1 has been a real horrorstory for many farmers in the Netherlands before. I hope it doesn't repeat.
Thank you for this video. Dr. Wooten, you are so sensitive to animals and their owners. Truly appreciate your efforts!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you so much for this! ❤
It is a threat but keeping your cat indoors and don’t feed raw food cats don’t need milk raw or regular. Keep abreast of recalls .
😻Thank you! I live in Northern Germany in Europe, however, diseases travel fast to everywhere.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this. Here in WA state, we have heard from the news that bird flu has killed 50% of the wild cat population in a sanctuary. It's was horrid, because we have a dumped cat who we are trying to convince to come in for more than 2 hours at a time. Sadly, he is an excellent hunter. Has bird flue affected the voles, moles, mice or rats? Birds are an obvious risk, but what of the mammals we share our outdoors with?
Thank you for this information. God bless all reading this and their fur babies. 🙏🏻☦️
At the wildlife hospital I worked at we had to step in a chemical solution before entering the building and also when we exited the building, (it was in a plastic Tupperware thick big dish with a big flat spongy fabric that you would step on- we added a chemical solution to the dish) it helped prevent the spread of disease- it was a standard everyday procedure whether there was a current H1N1 outbreak or not. It couldn’t hurt to have one of those dishes by the front door if you have animals or just leave your shoes outside. But it is a very specific chemical solution used for hospitals. The wildlife hospital also recommended that we don’t keep bird feeders up. It draws all the birds in and then they share all of their diseases at the feeder-pine siskins would often die from contamination from bird feeders because they are sensitive. So as far as bird flu and cats, anything that would bring birds together like a feeder probably not a good idea, H1N1 keeps mutating and if you have cats AND a bird feeder definitely not a good idea for the health of the cats💕
I stopped using my bird feeder for this reason 💕💕💕
Thanks for sharing your insight! Keeping shoes outside and avoiding bird feeders are great tips for preventing the spread of diseases like bird flu, especially when you have cats.
Very good advice- Having completely different shoes that are worn inside and outside, especially, around wetlands/birds. The dirty shoes were either bagged or not brought inside until a biocide bath. This virus lives a long time in soil, on equipment and as well as cold temps. Unfortunately, there is a surge in H5N1 in southern MN with wild birds and chickens. I fear we may be kept more in the dark regarding upcoming outbreaks in this upcoming year- I hope the veterinary and wildlife communities will be able to function under the radar and keep us informed, if our human health departments fall apart.
Thank you for your great video ❤
Thank you for this valuable information!
My cat is indoor always (another city kitty). That risk is low. But what about the freeze dried chicken treats (Whole Life or Purebites) for cats? My cat loves them but now I am afraid to give them to her. Is this right or are they ok?
Good question
If you are in doubt, I would choose caution and not give them to your cat. It's good that you're cat stays indoors. We have seen dead geese in creeks around here in the Midwest. We keep ours inside.
Do not feed them any raw foods, even the freeze dried as viruses can survive the freezing. Only cooking can kill the virus in food.
Freeze drying can kill some bacteria. But not all. Likewise with viruses (which flu is). Pure Bites sources their poultry in the US and produces it in the US.
Ideally, farm animals testing positive for avian flu are culled and CANNOT use the carcass for ANY sale or production.
Now, most likely, food would be safe, and the virus would be killed in the stomach because cats' stomach acid is extremely strong and would likely kill the virus before it has a chance to infect the animal because influenza tends to spread through respiration.
Edit to add: not a vet and you do what you think is best.
Cats have died from raw poultry foods so any level of raw poultry foods (even freeze-dried) are not recommended.
Very helpful. Many thanks.
Thanks!
Luckily my three cats are indoors too and don’t eat raw cat food. They eat Fancy Feast chicken and Turkey food and Sheba pate food too. So hopefully they are safe.🤞🏻Thanks Dr. Wooten for posting this video. 🙂 Very Good information! 👍🏻
No more feeding my cats raw!
Very smart!
Whats wrong with raw beef, fish, cooked chicken and turkey?
Is this for outdoor cats ? My cat never leaves my apartment..she's a city kitty! Poor kitties 😢
She just said cats can get it through food. Maybe watch the video.
@@jezabell but she said only raw food. So if her cat never leaves and eats "normal" cat food, it should be safe from this bird flu.
@@K-a-i. she also said undercooked poultry. Also if it somehow gets on your clothes and you bring it home. It is just best to know what symptoms to look out for if yr cat is sick, not to just assume yr cat is safe.
Like raw milk n poultry thats not cooked. So I'm also assuming raw beef? Since it is in cows too?
@@marieJennellI’d be wary of any raw food tbh
Thanks so much
Thanks for watching!
Great info. Thanks so much for doing this!
Thank you!
Thank you-great info, esp regarding colonies!
Thanks for watching!
My cat had tick paralysis. That was in 2014, and it wasn't even a diagnosis then (at least, not in Canada). There's no anti-venom for cats. I would love to see a video about this. It's my feeling that a some cats who do not come home may have been subject to the sudden choking and other neurological symptoms that strike suddenly. Families think they were gotten by a wild thing, or struck by a car. That's the only reason we don't hear about it - at least my vet and I think that's a possibility.
Thanks for sharing your experience-tick paralysis in cats is such an important topic! A video raising awareness about its symptoms and risks would definitely be valuable.
Can cats get it from just being outside (supervised) if they don’t come into direct contact with a bird or other animal? Like could they still pick up the germs from the grass or balcony where a bird or other animal might’ve been (maybe via urine or poo particles or just generally left germs behind)?
Great question
I think they can but it is a low risk. This is why I stopped feeding wild birds about a year or so ago 💕💕💕
Great question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
We have protect our cats😢I am going to adopt cats now
i put cat food in a bowl and set it in the snow incase any stray cats wanted something to eat. Next day there were lots of bird tracks as they cant find food easy in the snow and there was blood there with some cat tracks. I assume a cat caught a bird that was trying to get the food from the bowl. When the snow or ice is on, birds go for cat food quickly and they crap up the area most times.
Feed them bread too
or it could have been a cat that was bleeding for some reason. But either way, it attracts birds and cats to the same spot. I guess the way to avoid that would be to only put out the food in the dark and make sure its gone by sun rise
Birds including ducks and geese should never be fed bread. It causes a deformity called angel wing which destroys their ability to fly.
@@SHANECatLovinActivistHistorian actually leaving food out overnight tends to attract raccoons and rodents, and in my area at least it puts outdoor cats at higher risk from coyote and mountain lion attacks.
Seems like a better idea may be to offer some bird-specific foods on a platform or other safer feeder. The Cornell site AllAboutBirds says “transmission to songbirds and other typical feeder visitors has been low (about 3% of all cases reported in wild birds), although this may change with increased testing or changes to the virus. That means there is currently a low risk of an outbreak among wild songbirds, and no official recommendation to take down feeders unless you also keep domestic poultry, according to the National Wildlife Disease Program.”
For more info, see the AllAboutBirds article “Avian Influenza Outbreak: Should You Take Down Your Bird Feeders?”
Thank you for the paho link; it's very helpful.l
Thank you doc! Yes, this topic has been my concern because although my fur babies live inside, they have very up-close, almost contact (just a screen between) contact with wild birds. So glad I found your video with bird flu H5N1 info and PAHO website!
Thank you!
My understanding is that in the USA cats were infected by being given infected raw unpasteurised milk not by eating birds.
Nothing but concerns right now
Please don't suddenly STOP feeding wild birds cuz' of this! While we need to be diligent in order to protect our kitties, puppies & us too, the wild birds in the area DEPEND on the birdseed kind people put out for them & to suddenly have nothing to eat could be just as deadly to those birds counting on you for survival!! Birdseed is well, birdseed - takes ALOT of eating it to provide birds with enuff fuel to survive, stay warm, etc.
They count ON US in cities & suburbia, where many housing tracts & roads, etc., have been built over their natural areas for nesting & finding food,! I have some elevated boards that I put the birdseed on, due to my cats ~ they can watch, but not "get" the birds. ("Mom's no fun!" "Wahhhh!!" - Yeah, I know.) 🫠 Also, if you can take a minute to wipe off the "crud" from eaten seed ((NO HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS! ~~ POISONOUS TO BIRDS!))... that's helpful too.
Our actions have consequences on other lives.... good, or bad. Let's make it "good"!!😁
If you do feed the birds, look into the safe types of feeders. Some feeders facilitate the spread of disease. I think it's mostly platform feeders, so avoid those. Not sure, but feeding them on a plank might actually help spread disease too as the seed is not contained/kept from exposure to sick birds. I could be wrong. Do your research, you don't want to end up harming the birds when you are trying to help them.
So what do we do if we catch it and bring it home to our cats? What do you recommend then?
Thank you for your question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
There are antiviral meds if you get to the vet quick enough. (And ask for it.) At home, Lysine is safe for cats. Not sure of cat doseage for zinc. Also an old vet of mine used Noni juice (pure, no additives). But get to the vet soon because this seems to hit cats hard!
@sinisterkitty8411 I'm concerned because one of my cats blows boogers all the time anyway because of how he was bred. He came to me as a rescue.
Once a week I have to go around the house and clean up all the boogers I have missed. I love him so much.
I am so glad that I don't currently have a cat to worry about. Especially not one like my Bambi. Her mother taught her to hunt in Hawaii. When I was transferred to Ft Meade, MD, I took her with me. She was an outdoor/indoor kitty. She routinely brought us mice she had caught. She sometimes brought us a bird and once a rabbit. She was a great lap cat as well. She lived a long, happy life.
Recently, one of the neighborhood feral cats followed me into my apartment without me noticing. I was moving my rollator walker through the door and parking it, which is why I didn"t see the cat come in. It took several minutes, but I finally caught the cat and put it outside. The cat was well fed and may well be someone's pet. But it did have a notched ear. I do hope it doesn't get this flu.
There are only two cases of raw food found with contamination of avian flu, both cases involved testing of already opened bags of food which is totally against protocol. Samples to be tested are supposed to be done on unopened bags. So they don’t know if the bags are contaminated by an outside source, like a cat already sick? Also, if you are feeding your cats raw, check with the pet food company and ask what their protocols are on checking for avian flu. I did with the company we buy our food from and they already have protocols in place. Regular mainstream cat food has NO protocols in place and there are many recalls due to various contaminations of various sorts like salmonella, molds etc that are not publicly announced so do your research on what you’re feeding your cats.
Thank you for sharing this information! We actually have a recall tool on our website that can help you stay updated on pet food recalls and ensure you're making informed choices for your cats. cats.com/recall-tool
I'm sorry, but as a consumer (who loves my cats), I would prefer information that errs on the side of safety, not deference to the pet food companies or raw industry. If there were more recalls we woukdn't have multiple pet food brands causing animals to throw up repeatedly. They'd be more careful.
@@sinisterkitty8411 I agree with you, about the recalls. After learning what they actually put in regular dog food and cat food, I was horrified. It explained why so many of our pets have so many health issues. The pet food industry needs a major clean up.
I have seen people disenfecting their shoes. I don't wear shoes in my house and neither does my boyfriend but we do leave them by the door. Should I be disenfecting them? Our cats are strictly indoor and not fed raw. Neither me or my boyfriend work with birds/cows.
My boy friend my boy friend. Do married couples exist anymore?
they do. I’m just not one of them 😂
I’ve been putting my shoes away instead kept out at the front door, but not disinfecting. My kitties are inside, I live in a city, so low risk here too. Could always take off shoes before stepping into the home, and carrying them to a closet. Easier than disinfecting, if your risk of exposure is low. 😊
My fiance looked at shoe covers as an alternative that are washable. In bird stores they have a step in shoe bath with a solution to keep viruses/bacteria out.
I talked to my partner about that, bit she said it might not be as feasible so we are doing the shoe covers potentially paired with outdoor only shoes.
A person died from H5N1 in Louisiana (apparently their governor is making it illegal to promote vaccines which is so f-ing stupid I can't even). As an immunocompromised individual as well as a person with 3 cats we are taking NO chances.
Oh and just as a reminder on top of all this Covid didn't just disappear it still exists.
Excellent question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
Is this just North America or is this problem worldwide?
World wide. A lot of countries are calling factory farm birds because when one gets it, they all essentially have it. The farms are gross and birds have a weakened immune system
She said world wide
In this day and age, viruses spread incredibly fast. No where is immune.
Great question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
Most vets I take my cats to don’t even sanitize the tables where the cats stand or lay.
@@samuelm.5752 then you should probably get a new vet.
@@shelbyeagle6274I guess they figure if your cat gets sick for not sanitizing their tables is more business for them.
@ I doubt that. Veterinarians and professionals go through extensive training and heart break taking care of and saving animals lives. I don’t think you’d go through all of that just to sabotage them.
@@shelbyeagle6274I’ve had several bad experiences with vets aside from them overcharging their customers. If you bring a sick cat in, they’ll see it as a worse case scenario to charge more instead of process of elimination.
My vet's office used to sanitize, but the last few visits, it looks like they haven't. I want to say something, but I felt unsure.
Our feral colony shows no interest in the pigeons that share their space. But the pigeons also share their food-and they poop all over the place. Any suggestions? So far, no bird flu cases reported in Washoe County, NV.
Hi! Great question. To help reduce pigeon interference, consider placing the cat food in pigeon-proof feeders or feeding the cats at specific times and removing the food afterward. Regular cleaning of the area can also help minimize the mess and potential health risks. It's great to hear there have been no bird flu cases reported in your area-staying vigilant is key!
I’ve been wondering about the likelihood to carry it in our homes on our shoes. I know some flu viruses can live for sometime on certain surfaces, so I’m afraid watching out for things like bird poop isn’t enough. Would love expert guidance on the shoe concern. Thank you so much!
Thank you for your question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
Are dogs safe if indoors?
Is there a vaccine?
Good question
Great question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
So do we need to worry about all animals or all mammals as potential vectors? I know that pigs can get it. What about dogs? Mice? Squirrels? I'm confused about this inter-species transfer
Thank you for your question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
We're considering putting in a small catio for our cats. Would that still be safe? Like, they wouldn't be able to eat a bird, but maybe one could perch near them or leave droppings.. can they get it that way??
A catio is a great idea! As long as your cats can’t directly contact birds, the risk is low, but cleaning up any droppings regularly will help keep it safe.
I have a cat who loves to go outside. She is indoor and outdoor. It is really hard to keep her inside all of the time. Any suggestions? I am very concerned about bird flu. Thank you.
Thank you for your question! To help keep her inside, try enriching her environment with toys, climbing trees, and window perches. Supervised outdoor time with a harness or a secure catio can also be great alternatives to keep her safe and stimulated while reducing bird flu risks.
Is freeze dried food /treats pasteurized?
No
Pasteurization is done by heating to a certain temp for a certain length of time, freeze drying is done by freezing raw meat
Good question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
"...until you get to the neurological piece"
I'm out
Is there no vaccine against it
How does this affect waterfowl hunters with cats?
Great question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
Are freeze dried raw chicken bites (like from purebites) safe? Would freeze drying kill the virus? Thanks!
I actually asked my vet about this, and she wasn't sure either. However, she generally recommended no raw food at all due to the risks. There are people who swear by it, but with bird flu and other hazards, I'm inclined to take her advice for my cat's sake.
This vet said no raw food or milk products
@@brassbucklesthanks!!
Good question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
I think I should move my bird feeders away from the house. Indoor cat but..Thank you for the info!
Thanks for this video. I give my cat a lactoferrin supplement, which is derived from bovine colostrum. But it’s powder that comes in capsules, so I assume that isn’t raw, right?
May be freeze dried, in which case ,not safe
@ thanks, I will check with the manufacturer.
Excellent question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
@@AllAboutCatsYT thank you!
This bird flu threat might cause many deaths, not only in humans 😢
Thanks for posting this! 🙂Luckily my cats don’t go outside Or eat Raw Food. So I hope they are safe. I feed them commercially canned cooked wet food. It may not be the best, but at least it’s Safe! Very good video! Wish you were My vet. 😉 Your videos are always helpful. 👍🏻 Thanks Again. 🙂
Thanks for watching!
FYI: Received news from my vet's office that freeze dried cat treats are perfectly fine to feed a cat. No worries.
This vet says NO
@@Heightsomethinghuman Dr Wooten says no?
@@Brokedown72 Correct, if you want proof, go back and replay the video. Freeze dried food is only frozen raw.
Thanks for sharing this!
@@AllAboutCatsYT You are welcome. You did a great presentation, but next time you might have some bulletin points in print so that people wont miss your important facts. Thanks again.
Is a vaccine in the works?
Great question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
Everyone at work got really sick. I take a lot of vitamin d so I healed quickly. My cat doesn’t even get dirty teeth because we have clean microbiome.
What about dogs? If my cat gets sick, can she give it to my dog?
Excellent question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
What about catios that wild birds sometimes visit?
You mentioned chicken and beef (and milk), what about rabbits? Is rabbit meat considered safe?
My reply was removed
We will host a Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday on January 15th, at 2 PM MST. You can join us and ask your questions there!
My Cat doesnt go out !
Does this affect dogs?
Not yet that I’ve heard but precautions are a good idea
@ thank you, there are a lot of wild birds near my home and it’s worrisome, they leave their waste everywhere and I try my best to avoid but it’s difficult at times 😔
The bird flu has arrived in my state of Kentucky. My wife fills 4 bird feeders every day in this very cold weather we are having. Can her handling the feeders cause her to bring the flu inside and infect our two cats?
Covid take 2
They spread lies again if people fall again for that we are doomed
Do NOT comply.
Yes, but H5N1 is much worse for multi-species contagion. Felines of many species have already died around the world.
@@roxyiconoclastSo they say. It's other regular diseases like upper respiratory.
Cold water 71
Dang pandemic really tranna drop its come back so bad
My cat prefers fresh killed birds that she’s played with herself, so sounds like she’s good. The one she caught earlier this week we were able to get out of her mouth and it flew off, and it wasn’t coughing or sneezing so I don’t think it had the flu. We washed our hands and didn’t fetch any flu.
Crazy elk 73
Excellent question! We've noted it down, and it will be answered during the Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wooten on Wednesday, January 15th, at 2 PM MST. Stay tuned!
Wondering boy 80
Easy beast 55
Bird flu has never transfered to another kind of animal only birds, but sense this is man-made in a lab, some people stay it can transfer to humans.
Keep Kiity safe ? Easy , turn off your TV.
What happened to Mallory Crusta?
You lost a lot of cred when you cited the W.H.O. Wouldn't believe ANYTHING they say.
BS😅😅😅😅😅😅
✌🏼”Health
Authorities “✌🏼
😏
Would you recommend listening to people on Facebook instead 😂
@ nope! Facebook is toxic as well. Self taught natural health care for self and pets
Pub med is a cool resource. Check it out.
🤦♀️🙄Enough of the fearmongering. You get paid to tell the lies? Don't believe everything you hear on the internet people.
You're right, viruses are compltely made up concepts! Science fiction! Fox news said so.