Avian Flu & Cat Food: Raw vs Cooked (and Everything in Between)

As interest in homemade and raw cat food continues to grow, avian influenza (H5N1) has re-entered public conversation — particularly following confirmed cases in wild birds, poultry flocks, and a small number of mammals.

For cat parents feeding fresh food, the question isn’t panic — it’s risk awareness. Understanding what is known about avian flu, how cats are affected, and how food preparation changes risk allows for informed, responsible feeding choices.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu or avian flu, continues to spread, and some experts warn we are on the verge of a major pandemic. The virus has ravaged poultry farms across the country, resulting in cruel "depopulation” (the mass killing of farm animals). Sadly, more than 150 million birds have been culled since the current H5N1 strain was first detected in the U.S. in 2022. To make matters worse, bird flu has now been detected in numerous other species, including dairy cows, cats, and even humans." (ASPCA)

What We Know About Avian Flu (H5N1) and Cats who eat Fresh Food

Avian influenza is a virus that primarily affects birds, but spillover into mammals has been documented, including domestic cats.

Journalistic and public-health reporting has consistently shown:

• Cats can become infected by consuming infected raw poultry or wild birds

• Cats are very susceptible to H5N1 infection, but at this time the overall risk for exposure and infection is believed to be low. Infection in cats is rare but often severe when it occurs

• Symptoms reported in cats include:

  • Respiratory distress

  • Lethargy

  • Fever

  • Neurological signs in advanced cases

There is no evidence that cats commonly transmit avian flu to humans, and no evidence of sustained cat-to-cat transmission in household settings. However, because outcomes in cats can be serious, prevention matters.

What Increases Risk for Cats?

Based on confirmed cases and outbreak investigations, higher-risk scenarios include:

• Raw poultry (chicken, turkey, duck, game birds)

• Meat sourced during active avian flu outbreaks

• Backyard poultry, hunted birds, or unregulated local sourcing

• Raw diets without pathogen-reduction steps

• Consume unpasteurized dairy products or raw or undercooked poultry

• Are exposed to sick or deceased wild birds, particularly waterfowl like geese and ducks

• Come in contact with poultry or dairy cows on farms or in backyard flocks and those in contact with infected people or animals

Importantly:

• Freezing does not reliably inactivate H5N1

• Drying, dehydration, or curing does not guarantee viral inactivation

• Cross-contamination during raw prep is a documented risk

This is why public-health agencies consistently identify heat as the most reliable control.

Cooked Feeding: Why Heat Changes the Risk Equation

Cooking poultry to appropriate internal temperatures inactivates avian influenza viruses.

Widely accepted safe cooking temperatures:

• Poultry: 165°F / 74°C

• Ground meats: 160°F / 71°C

• Whole cuts: 145°F / 63°C with rest time

For cat parents concerned about avian flu, fully cooked or lightly cooked homemade diets offer a lower-risk alternative — particularly during periods of heightened outbreaks.

Cooking reduces pathogen risk, but it also changes nutritional composition, which makes supplementation essential. If you are looking to audit your nutritional feeding at home and start with a really good structure, we offer a full guide to home cooking facts on our site.

Raw Feeding During Avian Flu: Context, Not Absolutes

Raw feeding is not inherently irresponsible — but risk is not static.

During periods of increased avian flu activity:

• Poultry-based raw diets carry higher risk

• Non-avian proteins (beef, pork, rabbit) may present lower risk

• Some cat parents temporarily shift to cooked or hybrid feeding

This isn’t about abandoning a philosophy — it’s about adjusting practices to current conditions.

“Everything in Between”: Hybrid & Risk-Aware Approaches

Many cat parents adopt hybrid strategies when disease risk is elevated:

• Cooking poultry while keeping other proteins raw

• Avoiding poultry altogether during outbreaks

• Using cooked meals with a complete vitamin–mineral premix

• Rotating proteins to reduce exposure concentration

There is no single correct answer — only informed trade-offs.

Nutrition Still Comes First (Raw or Cooked)

Regardless of preparation method, one fact does not change:

Homemade cat food is not nutritionally complete without supplementation.

Cats require nutrients that:

• Are destroyed or reduced by heat (taurine)

• Are absent from muscle meat alone (calcium, iodine, vitamins)

• Must be added deliberately and accurately

This is why any responsible homemade feeding approach — raw, cooked, or hybrid — must include:

• A vitamin–mineral premix formulated for cats

• Accurate measurement

• Consistent preparation

  
  

A Practical Decision Framework for Cat Parents

Consider cooked or hybrid feeding if:

• You feed poultry

• Avian flu is active in your region

• You source meat locally or from small suppliers

• You want the lowest pathogen exposure risk

Raw feeding may remain appropriate if:

• Poultry is excluded

• Sourcing is controlled and traceable

• You are comfortable managing food-safety risk

• Your cat’s needs are best met with raw diets

Final Thoughts: Calm, Informed Feeding Is the Goal

Avian flu headlines can feel alarming, but the reality is more measured.

Cooked food is not inferior.Raw food is not reckless. What matters is context, sourcing, preparation, and supplementation.

Cats thrive when feeding decisions are intentional, not reactive — grounded in biology, safety, and nutritional structure.

Learn More About Safe Homemade Feeding

Feed the Cat… Better is a French-inspired guide to homemade feline nutrition, with mandatory supplementation education, AAFCO-aligned recipe design, and structured feeding guidance for Bengals and all cat breeds.

*Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace veterinary advice. Information shared here reflects current understanding of avian influenza (H5N1), food safety, and feline nutrition, which may evolve as new data becomes available. Feeding decisions should be made based on individual risk tolerance, ingredient sourcing, and a cat’s specific health needs. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before making changes to your cat’s diet, especially during periods of increased disease risk.