The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall for Savage Cat Food Large Chicken Boxes (84 oz.) and Small Chicken Boxes (21 oz.) due to potential H5N1 (bird flu) contamination, Cap City News reports.
The recall affects products with a “Better If Used By” date of 11/15/2026 and includes Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska, according to a release from Laramie County Public Health.
Pet owners who have fed their cats the recalled food are advised to watch for symptoms of bird flu, which can include:
Fever
Lethargy and loss of appetite
Eye inflammation or discharge
Difficulty breathing
Neurological symptoms (seizures, tremors, lack of coordination, or blindness)
If a cat displays any of these signs after eating the affected product, owners should immediately contact their veterinarian.
Although no human infections have been reported from handling the product, H5N1 can spread to people if the virus enters the eyes, nose, or mouth. Symptoms of bird flu in humans may include:
Eye redness or irritation
Cough, sore throat, or congestion
Fever, fatigue, and body aches
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Difficulty breathing or seizures
Anyone experiencing these symptoms after handling the recalled cat food should contact their healthcare provider.
The recall follows reports of two cases of H5N1 in cats, one in Colorado and another in New York, where cats had consumed food from the affected batch. Initial testing by Colorado State University showed “non-negative” PCR results for bird flu in sealed packets of the product. Further testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) later confirmed the virus to be negative, but an additional case in New York prompted the company to expand its market withdrawal into a full recall.
The recalled product was distributed in November 2024 and comes in cardboard boxes containing individual plastic packets. The lot code and best-by date (11152026) are stamped on the bottom of the box and each packet.
Consumers who purchased the recalled cat food should:
Stop feeding it to pets immediately
Return it to the retailer for proper disposal and a full refund
Wash hands and sanitize surfaces that came into contact with the product
For more information, consumers can contact Savage Pet at [email protected] or call 619-270-0295. Further details can also be found on the FDA website.
