4% of HPAI Diagnosed Cats Ate Raw Pet Food – Truth about Pet Food

Since Could of 2022, 145 home cats have been identified with H5N1 avian flu. Though the data from FDA just isn’t precisely clear – on this identical time-frame, 5 – 6 cats had been reported by the company to have consumed a contaminated uncooked pet meals. In different phrases, 4% of the H5N1 identified cats within the US is believed to have been sickened by a uncooked pet meals.

However what concerning the remaining 96% of identified cats? What type and model of pet meals did the remaining 139 identified cats eat? We don’t know, the FDA has not instructed us.

We filed Freedom of Info Act requests with a number of states that skilled a identified cat, we requested for data concerning the identified cat (searching for data to type of meals consumed and if the pet meals was examined); Washington, Colorado, South Dakota, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, and New York. A number of states reported they didn’t hint H5N1 avian flu in cats, a number of states reported the data requested would to not be offered in a FOIA request per their state legal guidelines, and some states did present us with data.

However of the data we acquired, not one piece of data was offered as to what type or model of pet meals the sick cat consumed. Not one file indicated if the unknown pet meals was examined. We have no idea if these data don’t exist or in the event that they had been withheld in our FOIA.

Are pet meals authorities solely documenting the type of pet meals an H5N1 avian flu identified cat consumed if it was uncooked? We have no idea.

If authorities quietly know what type of pet meals the opposite 139 cats consumed, did anybody check these meals? We have no idea, FDA has not instructed us.

Publicity to outside.

The opposite pertinent piece of data the FDA is neglecting to inform the general public is how most of the sickened cats had been out of doors cats (both full time corresponding to barn cats or half time outside)? Cats that go outside might have been contaminated with H5N1 avian flu from wild birds.

How most of the remaining 139 cats had been indoor solely cats? What number of had been indoor/out of doors cats? We have no idea, FDA has not instructed us.

What if 96% of the H5N1 identified cats had been indoor/out of doors cats? Some data has been launched that a number of of the identified cats had been farm cats, what if all 139 (96%) had been out of doors cats? If this was the case, that statistic would present that essentially the most important threat of infecting a cat with H5N1 avian flu could be publicity to the outside. If that is so, shouldn’t the FDA alert the general public to the chance of cats going outside? And, by not alerting the general public to this threat, isn’t FDA placing extra cats in danger by not alerting the general public?

The issue is, as a result of FDA is NOT telling us the small print, we’ve got to make assumptions. To raised shield our pets, we deserve data. All the data.

With out the company offering pet homeowners all the data, it’s laborious to not imagine that the FDA is choosing uncooked pet meals as a H5N1 scape goat. The FDA’s solely discover to the general public pointed fingers at uncooked pet meals stating: “we encourage shoppers to fastidiously take into account the chance of this rising pathogen earlier than feeding their pets raw meat or an raw pet meals product.”

Once more…FDA – you’re warning pet homeowners concerning the circumstances of 4% of the identified circumstances. What concerning the remaining 96% of the circumstances? Don’t pet homeowners deserve all the data to higher shield our pets?

Be happy to e mail FDA Heart for Veterinary Medication together with your considerations; e mail: AskCVM@fda.hhs.gov.

We despatched the FDA the next message:

FDA has issued a number of public alerts concerning uncooked pet meals, the potential of the meals being contaminated with HPAI. Nonetheless, identified cats that consumed a uncooked pet meals solely make up 4% of the full (USDA statistics, 145 whole identified home cats since Could 2022). What type of meals did 96% of the cats eat? What proportion of cats had been indoor solely cats? What proportion of cats had entry to outside?

If – that is an assumption as a result of you haven’t offered pet homeowners with any data aside from on uncooked pet meals – 96% of the identified cats had been out of doors cats, isn’t FDA being negligent to not warn the general public to this important threat?

If – once more an assumption as a result of you haven’t offered these particulars – 96% of the identified cats consumed a kibble pet meals, isn’t FDA being negligent to not warn the general public to this important threat?

The purpose is, pet homeowners CANNOT correctly shield their pets when FDA is ONLY offering details about 4% of the circumstances. We deserve the entire data, and promptly. Earlier than flu season begins.

If the FDA responds, will probably be shared.

Susan ThixtonPet Meals Security AdvocateAuthor Purchaser Beware, Co-Creator Dinner PAWsibleTruthaboutPetFood.comAssociation for Fact in Pet Meals

Turn into a member of our pet meals client Affiliation. Affiliation for Fact in Pet Meals is a a stakeholder group representing the voice of pet meals shoppers at AAFCO and with FDA. Your membership helps representatives attend conferences and voice client considerations with regulatory authorities. Click on Right here to study extra.

What’s in Your Pet’s Meals?Is your canine or cat consuming threat substances? Chinese language imports? Petsumer Report tells the ‘remainder of the story’ on over 5,000 cat meals, canine meals, and pet treats. 30 Day Satisfaction Assure. Click on Right here to preview Petsumer Report. www.PetsumerReport.com

Discover Wholesome Pet Meals in Your Space Click on Right here