Avian influenza in pets and backyard flocks

The viruses that cause avian influenza (or “bird flu”) mainly infect and spread among wild aquatic birds, such as wild ducks, geese, and storks, and domestic poultry, such as chickens and turkeys. Backyard flocks (poultry or non-poultry) are also at risk, as are captive or pet birds with access to the outdoors, where they could be exposed to infected wild birds or virus-contaminated surfaces or materials.

“Highly pathogenic” avian influenza (HPAI) viruses are of particular concern because they cause severe disease and death in poultry. H5N1 viruses are the most notable in this regard. Most wild birds don’t get sick from HPAI but can still circulate and carry the viruses wherever they migrate. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service keeps data on confirmed HPAI detection in wild birds and poultry (commercial poultry and backyard or hobbyist flocks) in the U.S., which you can use to see if there’s an outbreak of HPAI in your county. View that information here.

How is avian influenza treated?

Unfortunately, it is extremely rare for poultry to recover from HPAI. For other birds, the chance of recovery depends on the severity of their infection and their species, as some bird species are more resilient to HPAI than others.

For backyard birds and pets alike, treatment typically needs to begin immediately and the animal placed in isolation to protect other animals and people from exposure to the virus. Because there is no specific treatment for HPAI infection, your veterinarian will focus on supporting the animal’s health and comfort as their body attempts to fight off the infection. 

Besides birds, can other animals and people catch avian influenza?

HPAI viruses also have been detected in a variety of wild of domestic mammals in the U.S., including dairy cattle and cats. Find out about the 2024 U.S. outbreak of H5N1 infection in dairy cattle here. See which other mammals in the U.S. have been found to have the virus here.

Cats and dogs may become infected if they eat sick or dead infected birds or drink unpasteurized milk from infected cows, and there might be other ways the virus spreads. Although the likelihood of dogs catching avian influenza continues to be very low, several barn/feral cats have become severely ill from H5N1 infection since the outbreak in cattle began. 

People also may become infected through exposure to infected animals, but this happens only rarely, and typically involves close or prolonged exposure to infected poultry or dairy cows. The risk of people catching HPAI from infected cats or dogs is considered extremely low.

What are the signs of avian influenza in birds, cats, and dogs?

Early detection of HPAI is important to stopping its spread.

Backyard flocks and pet birds

Infected birds in backyard flocks, and possibly pet birds, may show one or more of the following signs:

• Sudden death with no prior signs
• Low energy or appetite
• Purple discoloration or swelling of various body parts
• Reduced egg production, or soft-shelled/misshapen eggs
• Nasal discharge, coughing, or sneezing
• Lack of coordination
• Diarrhea

Immediately contact your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs so they can help you determine the best course of action.

Cats and dogs

Clinical signs of HPAI infection in cats are better known than in dogs. Signs in either species may include the following:

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Low appetite
• Reddened or inflamed eyes
• Discharge from the eyes and nose
• Difficulty breathing
• Neurologic signs, like tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness

Immediately contact your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs. Animals with severe illness may die.

Because several of the listed signs are often encountered with common respiratory diseases of cats and dogs, your veterinarian likely will need to run some tests to help determine the cause. Be sure to let your veterinarian know if your pet may have eaten a dead bird or other animal, or consumed unpasteurized cow’s milk.

How is avian influenza prevented in pets and backyard flocks?

Numerous cases of HPAI have been reported in backyard flocks in the U.S. Although pet (possibly caged) birds are unlikely to be exposed to wild birds, the rare possibility remains that pet birds could catch HPAI, too. Currently, no vaccine is available for animals in the U.S.

Owners of pet birds or backyard flocks are encouraged to stay informed about where HPAI is occurring. In regions experiencing outbreaks, certain precautions can help stop the viruses from spreading:

• Bring pet birds indoors or ensure areas where backyard birds are kept are fully enclosed, away from wild birds and their droppings.
• Wash or sanitize your hands before and after handling birds, and when moving birds between coops.
• Keep feed, drinking water, equipment, and other supplies secure, out of reach of wild birds or rodents.
• Prevent visitors from contacting your flock, and avoid visits to places where other birds are kept.
• Know the signs of HPAI, and immediately report any suspected infections to your veterinarian or state animal health official.
• Call your veterinarian first, before bringing your bird(s) in to be seen.

Tips for preventing HPAI infection in dogs and cats are the same as for many other infectious diseases:

• Keep cats indoors.
• Keep pets that do go outdoors away from wild birds, poultry, and cattle and their environments.
• Prevent pets from eating dead birds or other animals.
• Avoid feeding pets raw meat or poultry and unpasteurized milk.