The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an urgent warning about H5N1 cat food contamination after confirming that certain lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. The warning comes following a tragic case in San Francisco where a cat became ill and was euthanized after consuming the contaminated product.
Federal testing revealed that the H5N1 strain detected in the deceased cat matched the virus found in the pet food, establishing a direct link between the contaminated product and the feline fatality. This marks the first reported H5N1 infection in domestic cats linked to raw pet food since March 2025.
Contaminated Product Details and Distribution
The FDA identified two specific lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats as contaminated: Lot CCS 25 077 with a sell-by date of September 18, 2026, and Lot CCS 25 093 with a sell-by date of October 3, 2026. These products are sold frozen in 2.5-pound resealable bags containing 40 individual one-ounce sliders and have been distributed nationwide through retail stores and online platforms.
The contaminated products feature yellow and white packaging with black lettering, with lot codes printed on the center back of each bag. While no official FDA recall has been issued, the manufacturer reports that the affected lots were voluntarily withdrawn from circulation several weeks ago.
Rising H5N1 Cases in Domestic Cats
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly 70 cats across the United States have tested positive for H5N1 in 2025, with many infections attributed to consuming raw animal products such as contaminated pet food or unpasteurized milk. The virus has shown to be particularly deadly in felines, with some studies indicating fatality rates as high as 70-90% in infected cats.
Whole genome sequencing performed by USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed that the H5N1 detected in all three samples – the cat, and both contaminated food lots – belonged to the same viral cluster, indicating they originated from a common contamination source. The specific strain identified was genotype B3.13, which has previously been associated with illness and death in cats from other raw poultry-based pet foods.
Veterinarians are advising pet owners to monitor their animals for symptoms including fever, loss of appetite, eye inflammation, breathing difficulties, or neurological symptoms. Animals that are very young, elderly, or immunocompromised face the greatest risk of severe illness from H5N1 infection.
While no human cases have been linked to handling contaminated pet food in the United States, health officials emphasize that transmission remains theoretically possible if viral particles enter the eyes, nose, or mouth. The FDA recommends thorough hand washing after handling pet food and sanitizing all surfaces as precautionary measures.
This incident highlights growing concerns about the safety of raw pet food products and has prompted renewed discussions about food safety protocols in the pet food manufacturing industry. Pet owners are being urged to exercise caution when selecting raw food products and to consult with their veterinarians about the safest dietary options for their pets.