A brand of natural cat food was recalled on Tuesday, Dec. 24 after reports that a cat in Oregon who ate the pet food contracted highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, commonly known as bird flu or avian flu, and died.

Yes, pets can get bird flu from eating raw food. Pets can contract bird flu through contact with infected poultry or carcasses, or from eating contaminated food. Since cooking and pasteurization kill viruses, food will not be contaminated unless it’s raw.