What You Need to Know About Your Pet and Bird Flu (H5N1)

With bird flu (HPAI strain H5N1, sometimes known as avian flu) making headlines, you may be wondering how it could impact your pets. While it’s important to note that the CDC currently reports low risk to the public, we understand that many pet owners want to take as many precautions as necessary to protect their pets from disease. That’s why we sat down with Lovet vets Chris Hummel, DVM and Caitlin Johnson, DVM to give you everything you need to know about pets and bird flu at this point in time.

How Bird Flu Can Spread to Pets 

Bird flu is a strain of infectious avian influenza, which is present in wild birds. This strain, H5N1, like other strains in history, has resulted in a multi-state outbreak and transmission between animals since late 2024. H5N1 is currently most common in wild birds, commercial and backyard poultry, and cattle. Transmission can occur through contact or ingestion of infected animals, including through exposure to fecal matter, bodily secretions such as nasal or oral fluids and unpasteurized milk, or raw meat.  

Household pets like dogs and cats can contract bird flu from ingesting or interacting with wild birds, from coming into contact with droppings brought in on footwear or encountered on walks, or — in recent cases with domestic cats — through packaged raw food. (All contaminated food was recalled in these cases.) While most dogs recover well, the disease poses a greater risk to cats and immunocompromised humans, with severe cases potentially being fatal. 
 
While this article is focused on keeping your pets safe from bird flu, it is technically possible for bird flu to spread between humans and animals. As of writing, there have been zero recorded cases of human to pet transmission or vice versa. That said, it’s important to monitor the situation and stay aware to protect your own health as well.

How to Minimize Your Pet’s Risk of Bird Flu

While the current situation is categorized by the CDC as “sporadic infections” in mammals, meaning low risk overall, taking the following precautions can help ensure your pet’s risk of contracting bird flu is as low as possible.

• Keep cats indoors only to prevent exposure. 

• Do not feed pets raw or unpasteurized milk, raw or freeze-dried meat, or raw eggs — including when in treats or kibble. 

• Practice good hygiene: wash and/or sanitize your hands, the soles of your shoes, and pets' food and water dishes frequently. 

• Keep your pets away from bird droppings. 

• If you own chickens, keep them separate from other pets, housed in an enclosed area away from wild animals, and clean their living space frequently. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when cleaning their enclosure to reduce the risk of disease transmission. 

Bird Flu Symptoms and When to Seek Veterinary Care 

Bird flu symptoms in cats and dogs tend to look similar to flu symptoms in humans and could include:

• Fever  

• Lethargy, or a lack of energy or interest in their favorite things 

• Loss of appetite  

• Respiratory symptoms, like coughing, sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, or difficulty breathing 

• Red and/or runny eyes 

• Diarrhea 

• Neurological conditions, like tremors, seizures, or lack of coordination

If your pet is showing the above symptoms or similar, if a human in the household has been sick within 10 days of the pet showing symptoms, or if you or your pet have had any known exposure to a positive bird flu case, call your Lovet team right away.

What to Expect at a Suspected Bird Flu Vet Visit 

If you suspect your pet may have bird flu, your vet visit may look different than what you and your pet are used to. Your vet may refer potential H5N1 cases to facilities with specialized ventilation systems which can reduce transmission. To further reduce the chance of the flu spreading, during your visit, staff may wear personal protective equipment and infectious disease gear. “Don’t be alarmed,” says Dr. Johnson. “This is a precaution to protect everyone.”  
 
Your vet may recommend an influenza test to confirm the cause of your pet's symptoms. Influenza tests for dogs are taken by nasal and conjunctival swabs. In cats, the process is a bit more complicated due to variability in labs and state laws and can include urine, throat/nasal swabs and/or blood. Your veterinarian can discuss the specifics of testing with you in greater detail.  
 
After your appointment, your veterinary staff will need to report any suspected or positive H5N1 cases to their state USDA authority to ensure proper documentation and monitoring. Specific requirements for testing and reporting may vary state by state, so ask your vet if you have questions.

How is Bird Flu in Pets Treated? 

“Treating [a pet] with influenza is very similar to treating severe influenza in elderly or immunocompromised humans,” says Dr. Hummel. As such, treatment for a pet with bird flu may require hospitalization, maintaining hydration through IV fluids, anti-viral medications like Tamiflu (oseltamivir), and, if warranted, antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections. Chest radiographs (x-rays) may also be taken to evaluate for secondary pneumonia in severely affected patients.

Your Lovet Team is Here to Help

At this point in the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, awareness and education are your most important tools to keep your pet safe. Your Lovet team is here to answer your questions and alleviate your concerns, whether that’s over the phone or in an exam room. We can provide personalized advice on your pet’s risk factors, and how to best safeguard them as the situation evolves. Find your nearest Lovet location and schedule an appointment today. 

_{Disclaimer: Not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. If you think your pet has a medical emergency, call or visit your veterinarian or your local veterinary emergency hospital immediately.}