Bird Flu and Cats in the UK: Pet Food Safety and Current Guidance

The original version of this article framed the issue as a broad UK cat-food recall caused by bird flu. Current official UK sources do not support that broad claim. This page has therefore been corrected to focus on what UK pet owners can verify today: avian-influenza exposure risk, raw-food precautions and when to contact a veterinarian.

What current UK guidance says

GOV.UK guidance on bird flu and pets advises owners not to feed pets non-commercial raw poultry, game bird, wildfowl or other wild bird meat. It also notes that some pet foods, chews and treats may contain raw animal material even when that is not obvious from the front of the package.

Why cats are part of the discussion

Cats can become infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza in rare spillover events, particularly after contact with infected birds, contaminated environments or infected raw animal products.

What UK veterinary authorities reported in 2025

UK veterinary authorities documented H5 infection in two cats on a poultry farm in Belgium in March 2025 and stated that the risk to pets in Great Britain remained low. The cats were thought likely to have been exposed through contaminated eggs or water, although the exact route was not confirmed.

Raw pet food needs careful handling for more than one reason

The Food Standards Agency’s 2026 raw pet food guidance also highlights bacterial and antimicrobial-resistance risks. Raw diets therefore require careful hygiene even when bird flu is not the concern.

If your cat eats commercial food

Do not panic because of old social-media recall posts. Check the exact product name, batch number and country-specific recall notice. In the UK, use the Food Standards Agency’s current alerts rather than an old article headline.

If your cat eats raw poultry or wild bird meat

Follow current UK guidance and stop access to non-commercial raw wild bird, game bird or poultry material. If a cat becomes ill after a possible exposure, contact a veterinarian and explain the exposure clearly.

Possible signs that need veterinary attention

Severe lethargy, breathing difficulty, neurological signs such as tremors or seizures, sudden blindness, collapse or unexpected death after plausible exposure should be treated seriously. Do not attempt home treatment for suspected avian influenza.

Keep cats away from sick or dead wild birds

Do not allow a cat to investigate or eat dead wild birds in an area where avian influenza is circulating. Report dead wild birds according to local government guidance.

Separate food-safety questions from nutrition questions

A product being complete and balanced does not answer every microbiological safety question, and a raw diet being “natural” does not make it risk-free.

For broader cat-food evaluation, see our cat food safety and quality guide. For day-to-day nutrition, use our cat nutrition guide.