Savage Pet Unjustifiably Recalls Cat Food Due to Possible Bird Flu Contamination—What You Should Know

 

Savage Pet Unjustifiably Recalls Cat Food Due to Possible Bird Flu Contamination—What You Should Know

A recent notice about the chicken-based food for cats infected with bird flu entered a lot of pet owners' minds: having just opened a bag of cat food for Fluffy and staring aghast at a warning about possible serious health complications not just to the kitty but maybe to the owner as well! With this, perhaps you would have gotten a frantic call by now with dozens of questions from fellow cat owners. Worry not, for we shall be telling you everything you should know, from the how’s to the what-nexts.

 

Why Were the Products Recalled?

Based in El Cajon, California, Savage Pet has declared the recall of both the big and small boxes of Savage Cat Food Chicken after H5N1-positive testing of two cats (i.e., bird flu). These items were sold in five states, namely California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, in November 2024.

The recall began with the first report of sick cats in Colorado that had recovered from the disease and when another case appeared in New York. Non-negative H5N1 tests were confirmed by further testing at NVSL on set-aside samples from sealed packets; hence, they were negative. Nevertheless, considering the second case dated March 13, 2025, Savage Pet decided to execute a product recall to safeguard the consumer.

 

Which Products Are Affected?

If you have bought Savage Cat Food in recent days, the following are the details needed to distinguish the recalled products:

• Name of the product: Savage Cat Food Chicken.

• Sizes: large boxes (84 oz.) and small boxes (21 oz.).

• Lot Code/Best By: "11152026" (stamped on the bottom of the box and on each individual packet).

The products are packaged in cardboard boxes, and each contains individual plastic packets.

 

What Happened to the Cats?

Two of these sick food cases of bird flu were connected with the recalled food:

1. A cat in Colorado ingested the lot and became ill with H5N1 but, under treatment, was recovering.

2. In New York, a kitten was infected after eating from the same lot. Bird flu as a determining factor is being investigated.

These cases illustrate how serious avian influenza could be in small animals and reinforce the need for caution in the manner of feeding.

 

What Is Bird Flu?

Bird flu (H5N1) is defined as an infective disease caused by a virus that seriously affects domestic and wild birds but also records some incidence in other animals. In cats, occasionally infections do occur, and if they do occur, it is either by means of direct contact with sick birds or by means of indirect contact via a contaminated environment, such as raw poultry products. Also, very few cases of H5N1 in cats have been confirmed."

Possible symptoms of bird flu in cats.

• Fever.

• Weakness.

• Lack of appetite.

• Redness or inflammation of the conjunctiva.

• Eye or nostril discharge.

• Breathing difficulty.

• Neurologic dysfunctions (e.g., if any of these symptoms manifest after your cat consumes the recalled food, veterinary attention should be sought immediately).

 

Why is this recall important?

Regrettably, this is not the first time we have seen pet foods being linked to bird flu outbreaks; this year there have been even more outlier recalls, such as the frozen chicken formula from Wild Coast Raw, indicating how avian influenza could potentially enter our supply and, consequently, affect domestic animals.

The important takeaway for pet owners from this recall is to remain alert and stay on top of anything related to pets.

 

What to do with a recalled product?

For owners who purchased Savage Cat Food Chicken with lot code "11152026," do the following:

(1) Discontinue use: Immediately stop using the recalled product and feeding it to any pets.

(2) Disposal: Safely dispose of the recall product in such a way as to avoid any chance of being consumed by pets or wildlife.

(3) Contact Savage Pet to receive specific instructions on obtaining either a refund or replacement.

Also disinfect any surface that might have been in contact with the recalled product to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

 

Could Bird Flu Affect Humans via Pet Food?

Good news has it that human cases due to handling infected pet food have been rather rare. In the words of the FDA and CDC, infections require direct introduction of live viral particles to mucous membranes, for instance, your eyes, nose, or mouth.

However, the following cautious measures would be prudent:

• Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling pet food or cleaning feeding areas.

• Do not touch your face while handling raw pet food products.

If you develop any symptoms such as reddening of the eyes, cough, sore throat, or fever, immediately report this to your healthcare provider.

 

How Will This Recall Affect Pet Owners Across the Nation?

While this recall is restricted to a few states and a few products, it poses bigger questions concerning pet food safety and supply chain vulnerabilities. A real wake-up call for cat owners everywhere to remain alert regarding recalls and keep pursuing the health of their cats.

 

What's Next For Savage Pet?

Savage Pet has agreed to maintain an open-door policy and cooperate with agencies throughout the investigation. Furthermore, the company declared its intention to revise its sourcing and manufacturing practices to prevent any further contamination.

Meanwhile, experts argue that raw poultry should be more regulated in the production of pet food to ensure that such potential threats are negated and eliminated in any potential deals like this in the future.

 

Conclusion

The Savage Pet Recall will remain an ugly reminder that only a so-called venerable brand has to face hurdles within the precinct of product safety. It is very important to keep an eye on recalls like these for an owner with cats—not only regarding the safety of the pet but also in concern for the personal peace of mind. As soon as any indication appears that the cat may have consumed contaminated food or is displaying illness, the vet should be contacted immediately. Handwashing and proper disposal go a long way toward keeping your pet and yourself as safe as possible.

 

FAQs

 

1. How do I find out if my cat's food has been recalled?

Look for lot code '11152026' stamped on the bottom of the Savage Cat Food Chicken boxes (both large and small sizes).

 

2. What should I do if my cat ate the recalled food?

Stop feeding your cat the recalled food immediately and watch for any signs of sickness, such as fever or difficulty in breathing, and contact your veterinarian if symptoms develop.

 

3. Can humans get infected with bird flu through pet food?

Human transmission is rare, but it is able to be infected by live virus particles that can infect mucous membranes (eyes/nose/mouth) via direct contact. Therefore, one should thoroughly wash his hands after touching pet food.