On Wednesday, Savage Pet Co-Owner Audrey Brady told PETS+ that final results from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) regarding one of its products allegedly linked to a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) are still pending. This additional testing is crucial for confirming whether the detected DNA in the product is infectious, as preliminary results returned a “not-negative” classification, necessitating further virus isolation testing.
The timeline of events began on Jan. 30, when a retailer alerted Savage Pet about HPAI found in a Colorado cat, who subsequently recovered. The illness was purportedly connected to the California company’s raw cat food.
Once learning of the possible connection, Savage Pet reached out to the Colorado State Veterinarian to verify the information, and while awaiting a response, the company was contacted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on Feb. 11 with updates. Savage Pet issued a letter to consumers on Feb. 17 explaining the situation.
To date, Colorado State University Laboratory has conducted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for HPAI on sealed packets of Savage Cat Food (lot number 11152026), which resulted in the “not-negative” classification. Two additional lot codes were also tested, and the results for those were negative.
“Not-negative” is a technical laboratory term indicating preliminary results. To confirm infectivity, virus isolation testing is necessary. Samples from the lot in question are at NVSL in Ames, IA, for this testing.
While awaiting full results, as a precaution, Savage Pet reached out to all retailers who may have received the product in question, manufactured and sold in November 2024. The impacted product was sold in 24 Large Chicken Boxes and 18 Small Chicken Boxes in Colorado and the Mountain territory; in 30 Large Chicken Boxes in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic territory; in 12 Large Chicken Boxes in Washington and the Pacific Northwest territory; and in 54 Small Chicken Boxes in California, Arizona and Nevada.
Once learning of the announcement, Eric Mack, owner of Purrrfect Bark in Columbus, NC, verified the lot numbers of Savage Cat Food products in his store but didn’t have any that matched so is continuing to monitor updates with what he called “a low level of concern.”
“Savage Cat is about 10-12% of our raw cat sales,” he said. “We anticipate that will continue.”
Since the impacted SKUs did not reach his store, there was no need to reach out to customers about the protocol, but the store is always willing to refund and replace items if there is concern from customers.
Savage Pet advises consumers who have already purchased the item to cook the packets in a sous vide at 165°F or return them to the retailer for a full refund.
“Savage Pet has always been dedicated to the health of its feline consumers,” the company wrote in its letter. “All of our poultry ingredients are USDA inspected and passed. Our suppliers follow the National Poultry Improvement Plan and work under daily USDA inspection. Savage Pet has adhered to Good Manufacturing Practices and sanitation standard operating procedures for almost 10 years.”
Brady has committed to providing updates as new information becomes available.