Risk of Bird Flu to Pet Dogs and Cats February 2025

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in U.S. wild aquatic birds, poultry, and backyard flocks of poultry and waterfowl (1). HPAI, specifically the H5N1 strain, poses a significant risk of spreading to our household pets; especially cats that spend time outside and free flying pet birds (2).

Positive cases have been identified in the state of Florida, including Hillsborough County (1). Due to the infectious nature of the virus and the possibility of mutation to other species including humans, we do advise all pet owners to exercise an abundance of caution around wild birds showing signs of illness or birds that appear healthy.

To ensure your pets and families stay as safe as possible, please consider the following preventative measures:

• Avoid exposure to wild birds and their droppings while walking dogs outside
• Do not feed cats or dogs raw or unpasteurized milk and meat products (including freeze dried) (3)
• Avoid contact with stray cats – especially ones that appear sick
• Avoid letting pet cats spend time outside. While we understand that it may not always be possible due to the personality and lifestyle of the cat; to make your cat as unlikely to encounter wild birds as possible, have them wear a brightly colored collar with bells attached (4)
• If you have bird feeders, make sure to sanitize them frequently and wear gloves and a mask when cleaning or handling products that wild birds have also touched
• Stay informed on the risk of H5N1 by visiting trusted sources such as the CDC (Center for Disease Control), USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture), and WHOAH (World Health Organisation for Animal Health).

To protect our staff and patients, our office will not be accepting sick or injured WILD birds into the clinic for the foreseeable future.

If you see a sick or injured bird – DO NOT HANDLE THEM – call your local wildlife centers who have staff and volunteers with protective equipment to handle birds safely. We recommend Pinellas locals contact Owls Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife (5) at (813)-598-5926 or SPCA Largo (6) at (727)-586-3592.

https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/data-map-commercial.html
https://www.woah.org/en/document/qa-avian-influenza-in-cats/
https://www.avma.org/news/cat-deaths-linked-bird-flu-contaminated-raw-pet-food-sparking-voluntary-recall
https://www.instagram.com/emoryrollinssph/p/DFvvIMmSeb9/?img_index=1
https://www.owlsnestsanctuaryforwildlife.com/contact-us
https://spcatampabay.org/wildlife-assistance/