EL CAJON, CALIF. — Savage Pet issued a recall of its chicken cat food product on March 15 due to potential contamination with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The recall currently impacts the company’s 66 Large Chicken Boxes 84 oz and 74 Small Chicken Boxes 21 oz for cats. 

In February, the company was notified that a domestic feline in Colorado contracted HPAI, specifically H5N1, got sick and recovered. Colorado State University Laboratory tested sealed packages of Savage Cat Food for the virus using PCR testing. The test results were “non-negative.” Product was then sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NSVL) for further testing. 

While awaiting these results, retailers were notified and informed about the issue on Feb. 17, with Savage Pet urging for product returns and destruction. NSVL testing on March 6 revealed the product to be negative for the virus. 

On March 13, Savage Pet was then made aware of an additional HPAI case of a kitten in New York that was fed lot 11152026 of Savage Cat Food. Testing on this case is ongoing. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is recalling this lot of the product. 

The product was distributed in November 2024 to retailers in California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington. The cat food is packaged in cardboard boxes and individually sealed in plastic packets. 

Read more about recent pet food and treat recalls.