Can Cats Eat Raw Meat? Risks, Bird Flu and Safer Choices

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

The idea of feeding cats raw meat appeals to many owners. Cats are carnivores, wild cats eat raw prey, and raw diets are marketed as more natural. The picture is more complicated in practice, and recent events have added new reasons for caution.

Why the "natural" argument falls short

A wild cat eats a whole animal, including organs, bones, fur, feathers and gut contents. It gets a balance of nutrients from that varied prey, and it hunts fresh animals rather than packaged meat that has been handled, stored and transported. Wild cats also have shorter lives, so long-term effects of diet are not clear.

Raw meat from a store is a different thing. It is muscle meat, often from commercial production, and it can carry bacteria from slaughter and processing. A homemade raw diet made of meat alone is also badly unbalanced, particularly in calcium and several vitamins and minerals.

Health risks of raw meat

Bacteria. Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli and Campylobacter have been found in raw pet foods and raw meat. Cats can become ill with vomiting and diarrhea, and some carry the bacteria without symptoms while shedding it in their feces and saliva.

Risk to people. Humans can be infected by handling raw meat, touching bowls, being licked by the cat or cleaning the litter box. Children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weak immune system are most at risk.

Parasites. Raw meat, especially pork, wild game and offal, can carry parasites such as Toxoplasma and various worms.

Nutritional imbalance. Home-prepared raw diets frequently lack proper calcium to phosphorus ratios, taurine and vitamins. Imbalances can cause bone disease, heart problems and other issues over time.

Bird flu. In 2024 and 2025, several cats in the United States died or became ill with H5N1 avian influenza after eating raw pet food or raw milk contaminated with the virus. Regulators and manufacturers responded with recalls and with requirements that producers reassess their safety plans. Raw poultry from infected flocks is a potential source, and this is a good reason to avoid raw poultry and raw dairy for cats.

What vets and regulators say

Major veterinary and public health organizations in the US and elsewhere generally recommend against feeding raw or undercooked animal-source protein to pets. They cite the risk to animals and to the people who live with them. If you are considering a raw diet, discuss it with a veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist first.

Quick reference

If you feed raw anyway

Some owners choose raw feeding despite warnings. If you do, reduce risk by:

• Using a commercial diet formulated by a qualified nutritionist and labeled complete and balanced.
• Choosing products treated with a pathogen-reduction step.
• Avoiding raw poultry and raw milk products, given the bird flu concern.
• Keeping raw food on its own surfaces, washing bowls and hands with hot soapy water after every meal and cleaning counters.
• Keeping the cat away from immunocompromised people, children and pregnant women.
• Telling your vet and monitoring for vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy.

Signs of illness to watch for

Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, breathing problems, tremors or neurological signs after eating raw food deserve immediate attention. Bird flu can cause fever, lethargy, loss of coordination, seizures and blindness in cats. Call your vet, and our US vet directory can help you find emergency care.

Handling raw meat safely at home

Even if your cat never eats raw meat, you handle it for your own meals. Cats on the counter can pick up bacteria and carry it around the house. Good habits include:

• Keep cats off counters and tables while preparing food.
• Wash cutting boards, knives and surfaces with hot soapy water.
• Wash your hands before touching your cat.
• Store raw meat sealed, on the lowest refrigerator shelf.
• Throw out packaging, and trays, where cats cannot reach them.

Raw bones

Raw bones are often promoted with raw diets. Bones can break teeth, lodge in the throat or cause blockages, and they carry the same bacterial risks. Most vets advise against feeding them.

Questions to ask your vet

If you are considering a change in diet, ask your vet about your cat's age, weight, kidney function and any health problems, and what a complete and balanced diet should look like. Ask whether a vet nutritionist can review any home-prepared recipe. Our US vet directory can help you locate a clinic.

A safer way to feed a carnivore

A complete cat food, whether canned or dry, is formulated for an obligate carnivore, and it is checked for balance. If you want to give something extra, plain cooked meat as a topper, such as chicken, works for many cats. Wet food also supports hydration. Use our cat food amount calculator to see how much to feed.

For other foods, check the free cat food and plant safety checker. If you have questions about your cat's diet, speak with your veterinarian.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every cat is different. If your cat is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.