Northwest Naturals, a Portland, Ore.-based pet food company, is recalling a batch of its two pound (one kilogram) Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food, after a cat that died of H5N1 avian influenza was linked to the product.
The recalled pet food was sold in British Columbia and several American states including Oregon, Washington and California and lists the best before dates as between May 21, 2026 and June 23, 2026, the company said in a press release on Tuesday.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed one house cat in Washington County, Ore., became infected with H5N1 and died after eating the pet food, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) said in a press release on Thursday.
“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” said ODA State Veterinarian Ryan Scholz. “This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment.”
The Oregon Health Authority said as of Thursday, there are no human cases of infection related to this pet food, and the risk of transmission to humans remains low.
Health Canada did not immediately respond to request for comment. As of 1 p.m. PT on Thursday, it has not issued a recall for the food.
The H5N1 form of avian influenza remains a virus mainly found in birds, but in 2024 it was reported in mammals like cattle, and in isolated incidents, in goats and one pig.
While human infections are rare, Health Canada says symptoms can range from mild to severe, potentially leading to pneumonia or organ failure.
It recommends staying away from wild birds, avoiding contact with infected animals, and washing your hands after being in an area where birds and other wildlife are nesting.
The national health department also recommends keeping pets away from birds, wildlife and their feces.
Last month, B.C. health officials said one teenager was in critical condition after contracting the virus.
It’s not clear how the teen became infected, but a B.C. Centre for Disease Control investigation found no additional cases or evidence of human-to-human transmission.
