31/07/2026
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Keeping Your Cat Safe During Bird Flu
Bird flu has arrived in NZ
Bird flu has recently been detected in wild birds in New Zealand. This is also called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), strain H5N1. The risk to pet cats and dogs remains low. Dogs rarely become infected with bird flu, and those that do rarely become seriously unwell.
But because cats overseas have occasionally become infected with bird flu after exposure
to sick or dead birds, raw poultry, or unpasteurised (raw) cow’s milk, it’s helpful to know what to look for and how to keep your pets safe.
*Why it’s important to be prepared
Some cats overseas have become infected with bird flu, usually after eating infected birds or
raw poultry, scavenging carcasses, or drinking raw cow’s milk.
- There is no evidence of cat‑to‑cat spread at this stage.
- Infections in pets remain rare, even in countries where the virus is present.
- Simple steps can greatly reduce any risk.
- The risk of cat-to-human transmission is low.
*Ways to reduce your cat’s risk
1. Reduce contact with wild birds (especially waterfowl)
Where bird flu is detected in wild bird populations, think about:
› Keeping cats indoors more often.
› Discouraging hunting behaviours.
› Using bird‑safe collars, like brightly coloured ‘clown collars’ or collars with bells.
› Feeding cats regular, high‑protein meals.
› Providing toys that mimic hunting to satisfy natural instincts.
› Remove wild-bird feeders from the garden.
› Keeping owned-bird feeders, water sources, or nest boxes at least three metres from places where cats can hide.
2. Avoid contact with sick or dead birds
Do not allow your cat to play with, carry, or eat:
› Sick birds
› Dead birds
› Bird carcasses, feathers, or wildfowl meat
3. Avoid raw poultry products
Feeding raw or undercooked poultry can carry infectious disease risks. If bird flu is detected in New Zealand poultry, we recommend feeding your cat:
› Cooked poultry only, or
› Commercial cat food from reputable suppliers.
New Zealand’s regulations require strong safety controls for pet food, including species identification and risk‑managed sourcing.
4. Avoid feeding raw milk
In New Zealand, the risk of transmission from birds to cattle is low. However, in other countries, feeding raw milk (unpasteurised) has been shown as a way that cats become
infected.
› Keep cats out of the milking shed
› Most adult cats have a reduced ability to digest lactose, and milk is not nutritionally necessary for them. If milk is still to be offered, a commercially processed, lactosefree pet milk is the preferred option.
Signs to watch for
These signs are not specific to bird flu, but contact your vet if your cat has been near wild
birds AND ALSO shows these signs:
› Wobbliness, tremors, difficulty jumping, or seizures.
› Lethargy, fever or reduced appetite.
› Breathing problems like open‑mouth breathing or ‘panting’, rapid breathing, or breathing that requires significant effort, even while resting.
› Vomiting or diarrhoea (runny poo).
› Sudden illness or death. Neurological signs (wobbliness, seizures, etc) are the most common first signs in cats infected with bird flu. Most cats with neurological illness or breathing problems do not have bird flu. Your vet will guide next steps.
If you are worried
› Phone your vet first so they can advise how to bring your cat in to the clinic safely.
› MPI’s hotline 0800 80 99 66 is used when bird flu is suspected in animals, especially if there has been exposure to a sick or dead bird.
Actions you can take now
› Feed commercial pet food and avoid raw poultry and raw milk.
› Prevent hunting where possible.
› Monitor any updates from your local vet clinic or MPI: www.mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu
› Remember: these steps are about preparedness, not panic.
***Consider keeping your cat indoors or providing a secure outdoor enclosure, which can reduce hunting opportunities while also improving your cat’s overall safety. If your cat is
spending more time indoors, provide opportunities for play, climbing and enrichment to help meet its behavioural needs.
*Your cat’s safety is important. Staying informed is the best way to protect them.
This resource was developed with kind assistance from Professor Scott Weese from Ontario
Veterinary College and Director of the University of Guelph’s Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses.
