Bird Flu Update — Avian Influenza Can H5N1 Infect Your Cat or Dog?

ABC News Philadelphia reported on February 28, 2025:

Cat euthanized in New Jersey after becoming sick from bird flu

“a cat in New Jersey was euthanized after becoming severely ill from a confirmed case of bird flu, the state’s health department said Friday. The cat was not exposed to infected poultry, livestock, raw milk or meat. It was allowed to roam outdoors, so it’s not known if it had exposure to wild birds or other animals. aOther cats on the property in Hunterdon County are also ill.”

• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
• Avian Influenza
• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A
• Avian Flu
• HPAI H5N1
• H5N1

All of these names refer to the same flu virus that is widely circulating in birds and mammals, including dairy cows.

As of 2025, the U.S. has reported 70 confirmed human cases— though experts believe this number is underestimated. Most human cases have been mild to moderate, but one person in Louisiana died after contracting H5N1 from their backyard poultry flock.

Yes, cats can contract H5N1. As of February 2025, over 100 cases of avian influenza have been documented in cats—likely an undercount.

H5N1 in cats is severe, with a fatality rate of up to 70%. While this rate may decline as testing improves, the risk if your cat is infected remains high. Cats’ potential role in spreading bird flu to humans or other animals is still unclear

Research shows that over 30% of U.S. cats developed antibodies to COVID-19 after their owners were infected, meaning one-third of their cats were infected too! Scientists now suspect a similar situation may be happening with the H5N1 virus, which could have significant implications for how the disease spreads.

Yes, dogs can contract bird flu, but symptomatic cases in dogs remain rare. So far in 2025, no symptomatic cases have been reported in dogs. However, it’s possible that some dogs carry the virus asymptomatically. Further research is needed to understand their role in transmission.

• Contact with infected birds : Close contact with infected birds, dairy cattle, other animals, or infected humans are the most common ways people (and likely pets) get bird flu.
• Bird feces exposure or ingestion : Infected birds can shed the avian flu virus in their feces, saliva, and mucous.
• Eating contaminated food : Consuming infected poultry, wild birds, raw diets, or raw milk.
• Contact with contaminated surfaces : Touching surfaces or materials contaminated by bird droppings.
• Inhalation of airborne virus :  Breathing in droplets or aerosol particles carrying the virus.
• Breathing in dust : Bird flu can travel through the air up to 5 miles, likely hitching a ride on dust from infected poultry flocks or cattle herds. But most avian influenza transmission occurs within a 500 foot radius around infected farms.
• Inter- and intra- species transmission
  • Bird-to-bird
  • Mammal-to-mammal
  • Bird-to-mammal
  • Bird-to-human
  • Mammal-to-human
  • Human-to-human (pandemic alert or pandemic phase) The pandemic risk is medium at this time, because there is no or very limited human-to-human spread of the bird flu virus. A pandemic will occur if human-to-human avian flu transmission becomes efficient and sustained.

• Avoid contact with sick or dead birds
• Keep pets indoors away from sick or dead wild birds
• Avoid contact with surfaces that have bird feces
• Wear gloves and an N95 face mask when handling birds
• Wash your hands with soap and water after handling birds or bird droppings
• Supervise children around birds and remind them not touch their face
• Do not not consume or feed your pets raw (unpasteurized) milk or cheeses
• Do not not consume or feed your pets undercooked poultry or eggs

• Fever (high temperature)
• Lethargy (tiredness, weakness, or lacking energy)
• Loss of appetite
• Neurological signs (incoordination, tremors, seizures, or blindness)
• Respiratory signs (rapid or labored breathing, sneezing, coughing)
• Discharge from the eyes and nose: Heavy discharge from the eyes and nose
• Reddened or inflamed eyes: heavy discharge
• Severe depression
• Jaundice: (yellowing of the skin, gums, or eyes)

When to contact your vet: If you notice any of these symptoms, seek veterinary care immediately. Bird flu can progress rapidly, and some cats die without showing obvious signs of illness.

• Fever
• Respiratory problems
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Seizures: (in rare cases)

When to contact your vet: While bird flu is rare in dogs, it can be serious. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

There is no specific cure for H5N1 in pets. Treatment depends on the severity of the infection and the specific strain of bird flu.

• Supportive care (fluids, oxygen therapy, and hospitalization if needed)
• Antiviral medications (used in some cases)

Early veterinary intervention is crucial to improving outcomes.

H5N1 is spreading globally, affecting both wildlife and domestic animals. While rare, cases in cats and dogs highlight the need for awareness and prevention.

Keeping your pets indoors, avoiding wild birds, and following proper hygiene can help reduce the risk.

If you have questions or concerns, contact Paoli Vetcare at 610-644-5360 or visit paolivet.com.