Bird flu is more than just a threat to livestock -- it's also a threat to pets.

A recent incident in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, has highlighted the growing concerns surrounding bird flu, extending beyond livestock to household pets. The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) confirmed that 11 domestic cats tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1), with only one cat, Leo, surviving. The death toll among these cats underscores the risk this virus poses not just to birds, but also to other domestic animals. The story of Leo, a five-year-old Sphynx cat who survived, brings awareness to the susceptibility of pets to this virus and raises questions about the safety of raw pet food. The Werfelmann family noticed changes in Leo's behavior, leading to medical consultations and eventual identification of bird flu as the cause of his symptoms through tests conducted by the CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories. This case sheds light on possible transmission paths, highlighting pre-packaged raw pet food as a potential carrier. The CDC recommends extra precautions when handling such items and advises against feeding raw poultry to pets. The story has also ignited scrutiny on the pet food industry, with Savage Pet recalling specific batches of their product distributed across multiple states. This situation points to a broader issue of food safety standards and regulatory oversights to prevent viral outbreaks. While the company claims compliance with USDA standards, the occurrence of bird flu in their products raises questions about the effectiveness of the current testing and monitoring processes. As bird flu continues to evolve and spread across species, the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in safeguarding both human and animal health becomes evident. This development serves as a call to action for pet owners to consult with veterinarians promptly if their pets exhibit unusual symptoms, and for the food industry to adhere to stringent safety protocols.