avian flu – Feline Health Research Fund

Bird Flu and my cat – update

September 20, 2026

When we last posted about H5 avian influenza, Australia was still free of the highly contagious H5 strain of bird flu. That has now changed.

H5 bird flu has been detected in wild birds in several states, including South Australia. There is evidence of local transmission among wild birds and it has also been detected in some wild mammals.

Can my cat catch H5 bird flu?

Yes. Cats can become infected with H5 bird flu, although infections in cats and dogs have been uncommon overseas.

Cats are at greater risk if they hunt, scavenge or come into contact with infected birds or other wildlife. Overseas infections have also been associated with eating raw pet food or drinking unpasteurised milk.

For most Australian pet cats—particularly cats kept indoors and away from wildlife—the risk remains low.

What signs should I look for?

Signs of H5 bird flu in cats can include:

fever
unusual tiredness or loss of appetite
red or inflamed eyes, or discharge from the eyes or nose
coughing or sneezing
difficulty breathing
neurological problems such as tremors, seizures, poor coordination or blindness.

If your cat has been in contact with a sick or dead bird, bird droppings, feathers or a potentially contaminated environment, monitor it for signs of illness for seven days.

If your cat becomes unwell, phone your veterinarian before taking your cat to the clinic and tell them about the possible exposure. This allows the clinic to take appropriate precautions.

Can I catch bird flu from my cat?

The current risk of H5 bird flu to people in Australia is considered low. Humans generally require close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. Still, the sensible approach is to avoid direct contact with animals suspected of having H5 bird flu and seek professional advice.

How can I protect my cat?

Prevent contact with wild birds and other wildlife. Keep cats indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure and don’t allow them to hunt or scavenge. Keep their food and water indoors where wild birds cannot access it.

Don’t allow your cat to investigate sick or dead birds, feathers or carcasses. If you have been in direct contact with sick or dead birds yourself, shower and change your clothes before handling your cat.

A good source of general Bird Flu information is the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website.

We will continue to follow developments and update cat owners as the situation changes.

Bird Flu and my cat – update Read More »

Can my cat get Avian Flu?

There are alarming reports from overseas of the spread of the highly contagious H5N1 strain of avian influenza but, so far, it is not in the wild bird population in Australia. As an Aussie cat lover. here’s what you need to know:

Can my cat catch avian flu? Yes, cats can catch avian flu, but it’s pretty rare. The main risk comes from eating infected wildlife or raw food, especially if your cat is allowed to roam outside and hunt. If your cat comes into contact with sick or dead birds, there’s a chance it could be exposed to the virus. But, if your cat stays indoors and isn’t around wild birds, the risk is really low.

Should I be concerned? While the risk of your cat getting avian flu is small, it’s still good to be aware. The main concern is that migrating wild birds might bring the virus to Australia, but there are systems in place to monitor and manage that. If your cat doesn’t interact with wild birds, there’s not much to worry about.

Can I Catch Avian Flu From My Cat? The chances of you catching avian flu from your cat are extremely low. The virus mainly spreads between birds, and while a few human cases have been reported globally, those usually happen through direct contact with infected birds, not from pets. So, unless you’re handling sick birds yourself, the risk of getting sick from your cat is pretty much non-existent.

How Can I Keep My Cat Safe?

Keep your cat indoors, or at least supervise outdoor time to stop it from hunting or getting too close to wild birds.
If you see sick or dead birds, don’t touch them—just report them to local authorities.
Make sure your cat’s food is properly prepared, and avoid feeding raw food from potentially risky sources.

Australia is currently free from the highly contagious H5N1 strain of avian flu but there are concerns about the potential spread of the H5N1 strain through migratory birds.

While it’s good to stay informed, the risk of your cat getting avian flu right now is really low. Keeping your cat safe from wild birds and handling food carefully will help keep both you and your feline companion free of this disease.

We’ll keep you up to date as the situation changes.

There is detailed information in this publication from the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.