#raw cat food bird flu Germany Articles

Germany has confirmed H5N1 infections in domestic cats, including three cats from the same origin in Baden-Württemberg in February 2026, but the current evidence reviewed does not support the old claim that German cat cases were caused by commercial BARF or raw poultry used as pet food. This updated guide explains what FLI actually recommends about raw meat, what the 2026 German cat outbreak showed, why freezing or supplier 'H5N1-negative' claims should not be treated as proof of safety, which symptoms and exposure histories matter, and how BARF owners can reduce H5N1 and broader raw-food risks.