Savage Pet Modifies Its Market Withdrawal to a Recall Due to Possible Bird Flu Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 03/14/25

SAVAGE PET 619.270.0295

SAVAGE PET RECALLS SAVAGE CAT FOOD CHICKEN – LARGE AND SMALL BOXES BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE BIRD FLU HEALTH RISK

Savage Pet of El Cajon, CA is recalling 66 Large Chicken Boxes 84 ounce and 74 Small Chicken Boxes 21 ounce with the lot code/best by date of 11152026 because it has the potential to contain H5N1, also known as bird flu.

Savage Cat Food Large Chicken Boxes and Small Chicken Boxes were distributed to retailers in AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, KS, MD, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, UT, WV and WY.

Consumers who feed their cats the recalled lot code should watch for respiratory or neurological symptoms such as fever, low appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, eye discharge, difficulty breathing, tremors, stiff body movements, seizure, and lack of coordination or blindness. Contact your veterinarian immediately if the cat exhibits signs of infection. While no human infections have been identified in connection with raw pet food products, people should wash their hands while handling the raw product and sanitize all surfaces that are exposed. Indications of bird flu in humans include eye redness, eye irritation and flu-like symptoms.

In February, Savage Pet was made aware of one cat in Colorado who contracted H5N1, got sick and recovered. Colorado State University Laboratory tested sealed packets of Savage Cat Food using PCR testing for H5N1. The PCR test results were “non-negative.” The product with “non-negative” PCR results was sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, IA, for virus isolation testing.

The product in question was removed from the market while awaiting final test results. On 02/17/25, every retailer who may have received the lot code in question was contacted and informed to return it for proper destruction.

On 03/06/25 the NVSL virus isolation testing results confirmed the virus to be negative.

On 3/13/2025 Savage Pet was made aware of an additional case in New York of a kitten that was feeding lot 11152026 who contracted avian flu. Further testing is ongoing.

To ensure maximum safety we are modifying our market withdrawal to a recall.

The product with lot code/best by date of 11152026 was distributed in November 2024. The boxes are cardboard and contain individual plastic packets inside. The lot code/best by date is stamped on the bottom and on each packet.

Do not feed the recalled product to pets or animals. Do not sell or donate the recalled products. Consumers who have purchased this lot code are urged to immediately return it to their retailer for proper destruction and a full refund.

For more information contact us at info@savagecatfood.com or by calling 619.270.0295.