Rethinking Raw Pet Food: Thai-Specific Guidance on Bird Flu Risks for Cats and Dogs
Recent shifts in pet care have seen more households embrace raw diets for their cats and dogs. In Thailand, pet owners are re-evaluating feeding practices as new information links raw pet foods to health risks, including potential connections to the H5N1 bird flu. This prompts a practical rethinking of safe feeding for Thai families and their furry companions.
Raw pet food has long sparked debate due to uncooked meats that can carry harmful germs. A reported case connected a batch of raw turkey food to an H5N1 exposure, culminating in a cat’s death after ingestion. Genetic testing identified the product as the likely source of the virus, with similar incidents reported elsewhere where felines became ill after consuming various raw diets. Thai veterinarians emphasize that these cases illustrate broader safety concerns around raw feeding.