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The Texas and Kansas detections of H5N1 in dairy cattle began in March 2024; they are historical context, not new October 2026 detections. For pet owners, the main practical concern is preventing exposure through raw milk, raw animal-based pet food, or infected birds and other animals. Feed pets cooked or heat-treated food, avoid raw milk, and contact a veterinarian about suspected exposure or illness.
Commercial pasteurized milk is different from raw milk: FDA says commercial high-temperature, short-time pasteurization inactivates H5N1 and that the commercial pasteurized milk supply is safe. This reassurance does not apply to raw milk, and pets do not need milk as part of their diet.
What happened in Texas and Kansas?
In March 2024, USDA APHIS reported that unpasteurized milk samples from sick dairy cattle on farms in Kansas and Texas tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. This was the beginning of the recognized U.S. dairy-cattle outbreak story. It did not mean that every cow in either state was infected or that ordinary pasteurized retail milk had tested positive for infectious virus.
Current case totals can change. APHIS updates its detection map each weekday, so check that map for current counts rather than relying on a static article. APHIS says the public-health risk is currently considered low, while agencies continue monitoring people with animal exposures; that general assessment is not a guarantee of zero risk for an individual.
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How pets can be exposed
Cats and other mammals can be exposed to H5N1. APHIS identifies eating infected birds or other animals and consuming raw milk from infected cows as possible exposure routes for cats. It has documented spread from cows to cats and warns that milk-contaminated equipment, vehicles, or animals can move virus around a premises or offsite.
These farm-level pathways do not mean that household pets generally face the same exposure as dairy workers. The practical step is to keep pets away from sick livestock, raw milk, infected or dead birds and other animals, and potentially contaminated farm areas.
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What should I feed my pet?
Do not feed pets raw milk or raw animal-based pet food. CDC does not recommend raw pet foods or treats for cats and dogs. Raw products may contain unpasteurized milk or other pathogens; freezing, freeze-drying, and dehydration do not kill every germ.
Choose a cooked or heat-treated food appropriate for your pet. Cooked kibble and canned pet food sterilized by heating are options identified by CDC. Check labels because some kibble may be coated or mixed with raw ingredients. For a pet’s main diet, choose food labeled complete and balanced for that animal and life stage, and consult your veterinarian about individual dietary needs. Do not assume that a particular brand prevents H5N1.
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| Food choice | Practical guidance |
|---|---|
| Raw milk or unpasteurized dairy | Avoid feeding it to pets; it can carry H5N1 and other disease-causing organisms. |
| Raw animal-based pet food or treats | Avoid them; freezing, freeze-drying, and dehydration do not reliably eliminate every germ. |
| Cooked kibble or heat-sterilized canned food | These are cooked or heat-treated options; check labels for raw ingredients and consult your veterinarian about diet suitability. |
| Commercial pasteurized dairy | FDA says commercial pasteurization inactivates H5N1, but dairy is not necessary for pets and should not replace a suitable complete diet. |
Is store-bought pasteurized milk safe?
FDA says high-temperature, short-time pasteurization inactivates H5N1 and that the commercial pasteurized milk supply is safe. FDA’s continuous-flow study, which simulated commercial processing, completely inactivated the virus in all nine repeated experiments. Those results concern commercial processing; they are not a home-pasteurization recipe.
FDA continues to advise against raw milk. Raw milk can carry multiple pathogens whether or not H5N1 is present. Do not extend the safety reassurance for commercial pasteurized milk to raw milk or unpasteurized dairy products.
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What to do after possible exposure
- Keep your pet away from the suspected source and do not handle sick or dead animals yourself.
- Note what your pet contacted or ate and when, including any raw milk, livestock, birds, other animals, or contaminated materials.
- Contact your veterinarian promptly for case-specific advice, especially if your pet seems ill.
- Follow instructions from your veterinarian and local or state animal-health officials. Do not try to diagnose or treat H5N1 at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my cat get bird flu from raw milk?
Raw milk from infected cows is a possible exposure route for cats. Do not give cats raw milk; contact a veterinarian if your cat consumed it or had another plausible exposure.
Should I stop feeding my pet raw food?
CDC does not recommend raw pet foods or treats for cats and dogs. Raw animal-based foods can contain germs, and freezing, freeze-drying, or dehydration do not kill every germ. Ask your veterinarian about a suitable cooked or heat-treated diet.
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- Non-Contact Infrared Sensing – Adopts advanced infrared induction technology, quickly and safely measure pet body temperature without touching ears, reduce pet stress and avoid discomfort for dogs and cats.
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Is pasteurized milk safe for pets?
FDA says commercial pasteurization inactivates H5N1 and the commercial pasteurized milk supply is safe. Pets do not need milk, however; avoid raw milk and follow your veterinarian’s feeding advice.
Were all cows in Texas and Kansas infected?
No. The March 2024 announcement reported positive samples from sick dairy cattle on farms in Kansas and Texas. It did not establish that every cow in either state was infected.
What if my pet may have eaten an infected bird or contacted a dairy farm?
Keep the pet away from the source and call your veterinarian. Describe the possible exposure and its timing; do not attempt home diagnosis or treatment.
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