Northwest Naturals Pet Food Recalled After Cat Dies of Bird Flu

Poison Nip

It seems like not a single day passes without a major recall, but here we are again. Our newest recall comes in the form of cat food, courtesy of Northwest Naturals, a pet food company based in Portland, Oregon.

Northwest Naturals turkey cat food — Amazon

What Pet Food Product Has Been Recalled?

In cooperation with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Northwest Naturals is voluntarily recalling its Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food. The food was sold in 2-pound plastic bags with “Best if used by” dates of May 21, 2026 and June 23, 2026.

Northwest Naturals turkey backside — Northwest Naturals

Why Was the Cat Food Recalled?

Here's a nightmare: An Oregon house cat died from eating this. According to Ryan Sholz, a state veterinarian with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the cat was an indoor cat. “We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” he said in a release.

That's the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus he's referring to: A.K.A., bird flu.

Where Was the Recalled Batch Sold?

The recalled food was sold in the following states, as well as British Columbia.

Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Washington

Happy free-range chickens enjoying nature in the lush grass in the evening sun — deepblue4you/istockphoto

Can Humans Become Exposed to Bird Flu From Their Pets?

While the CDC says that is "unlikely that you would get sick with bird flu through direct contact with your infected pet," the CDC still acknowledges that it's possible.

Shot of a senior man sitting alone outside and using his cellphone — Kobus Louw/istockphoto

What Should I Do If My Batch Was Recalled?

If you've got a bad batch, Northwest Naturals urges you to email them at info@nw-naturals.net or call at 866-637-1872 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, to receive a full refund.