Health & wellness
When headlines about bird flu start appearing, it’s only natural to wonder whether your furry family member could be at risk. In June 2026, H5 bird flu (avian influenza) was detected in Australia for the first time in wild seabirds, ending Australia’s status as the only continent free of the H5N1 strain.
The good news is that, for most Australian pets, the risk remains low. That said, there are a few simple precautions worth taking, such as transitioning cats to an indoor lifestyle, preventing pets from coming into contact with wildlife, keeping dogs on a lead during walks (especially in areas where birds gather) and not feeding your pet raw animal products. Here’s what avian flu is, what it means for pets and pet parents, and how you can help keep your pets safe.
Table of contents
- What is avian flu (bird flu)?
- Can cats and dogs get bird flu?
- Why contact with wildlife and consumption of raw poultry meat can increase the risk for cats
- Signs of avian flu in pets
- How to protect your pet from bird flu
- What to do if you find a sick or dead bird
- When to contact your vet
- How pet insurance can help with unexpected vet costs
What is avian flu (bird flu)?
Avian influenza, commonly called ‘bird flu’, is a virus that mainly affects wild birds and poultry.
There are many different strains of avian influenza, and each cause varying degrees of illness in animals. The strain making headlines around the world is ‘H5N1’, a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza known in Australia as ‘H5 bird flu’.
Since re-emerging in 2021, H5N1 has spread across much of the world, affecting millions of wild birds. In some countries, it has also been detected in mammals, including foxes, seals, dairy cattle and, in rare cases, cats and dogs.
Can cats and dogs get bird flu?
Yes, but thankfully, it’s uncommon. Dogs and cats aren’t natural hosts for the avian influenza virus, and infections in either species remain rare around the world. To date, there have been no confirmed cases in Australian pets. Dogs appear to be at very low risk. Overseas, documented cases have been extremely uncommon, and there’s no evidence that dogs play a role in spreading the virus to people or other animals.
Cats appear to be more susceptible than dogs, although the overall risk remains low in Australia. Overseas, a small number of domestic cats have contracted H5N1, and sadly, some of these infections have been severe or fatal. At this stage, there’s no vaccine available for cats against H5N1.
Why raw poultry and hunting increase the risk for cats
Most overseas cases of bird flu in cats have been linked to either having contact with infected wild birds or eating contaminated raw animal products. That’s one reason the RSPCA recommends avoiding raw or unpasteurised animal-based diets. Aside from bird flu, raw feeding can also expose pets and pet parents to harmful bacteria such as Salmonella.
Keeping cats safely contained at home can also reduce their risk of exposure by preventing them from coming into contact with wildlife or scavenging wild bird carcasses. For most cats kept indoors and fed a balanced commercial diet, exposure to H5N1 is expected to be minimal.
Signs of avian flu in pets
The signs of avian flu can look similar to many other illnesses, making it difficult to diagnose without a proper vet assessment.
Signs may include:
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Nasal discharge
- Difficulty breathing
- Wobbliness or loss of coordination
- Seizures (in severe cases)
If your pet develops any unusual symptoms, particularly after contact with wild birds or consuming raw poultry, it’s best to contact your vet as soon as possible. If they’ve recently been exposed to wildlife and you’re particularly concerned about avian influenza, make sure you let your vet know when you book the appointment.
How to protect your pet from bird flu
A few simple precautions can go a long way:
- Keep cats safely contained at home.
- Avoid feeding your pet raw poultry, mince, or unpasteurised milk.
- Keep dogs on a lead where wild birds gather, especially on beaches and near lakes.
- Prevent pets from approaching and eating sick or dead birds.
- Place your pet’s food and water bowls where wild birds can’t access them and they can’t be contaminated by wild bird droppings. If you’re providing water for wildlife, including wild birds in your garden, make sure your pet can’t access these areas. Maintain good hygiene by disinfecting food and water bowls daily.
- If you keep backyard poultry or pet birds, practise good biosecurity by keeping feed and water away from wild birds, maintain good hygiene, and quarantine new birds before introducing them to your flock.
- Stay up to date with advice from your state agriculture department if H5 bird flu is detected nearby.
What to do if you find a sick or dead bird
If you come across sick or dead wild birds, Australian authorities recommend an ‘avoid, record, report’ approach:
- Avoid touching the bird and keep pets and children away from the area.
- Record the date, time, and location, and take a photo from a distance if it’s safe to do so.
- Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
When to contact your vet
If your cat or dog seems unwell, don’t wait. Contact your vet if your pet develops lethargy, loss of appetite, respiratory signs, or any other unusual symptoms, particularly if they may have had contact with wildlife, scavenged a dead bird, or consumed raw poultry.
Let your vet know about any possible exposure to the avian influenza virus at the time of booking your appointment so they can determine the most appropriate next steps.
How pet insurance can help with unexpected vet costs
Whether it’s a suspected case of avian flu or one of the many other reasons pets need vet care, unexpected illness can be costly. With RSPCA Pet Insurance, you can claim back a percentage of eligible vet costs for covered conditions and customise your policy to suit your budget by adjusting your annual limit, excess, and benefit percentage.
And with every policy contributing to the RSPCA’s vital rescue, rehab, and rehoming efforts, it’s protection with purpose. Not just for your own pet, but for thousands of others across Australia.
To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your pet, click here. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.
Disclaimer
As with any insurance, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.
References
[1] RSPCA Australia. How can I be a responsible cat owner? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/general/how-can-i-be-a-responsible-cat-owner
[2] RSPCA Australia. What should I feed my cat? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-should-i-feed-my-cat/
[3] RSPCA Australia. Is it okay to keep my cat at home all of the time? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/caring-for-my-cat/is-it-okay-to-keep-my-cat-at-home-all-of-the-time
[4] Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Bird flu (avian influenza). Available from: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu
[5] Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES). H5N1 Avian Influenza Update (H5 Bird Flu). Available from: https://www.wires.org.au/wildlife-information/diseases/avian-influenza-h5n1
[6] Australian Veterinary Association. High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza. Available from: https://www.ava.com.au/resources-hub/emergency-and-disaster-response/high-pathogenicity-avian-influenza
[7] RSPCA Australia. What do I need to know about H5N1 avian influenza or bird flu? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/farmed-animals/poultry/general/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-h5n1-avian-influenza-or-bird-flu
FAQs
Yes, although it’s uncommon. Dogs and cats aren’t natural hosts of the avian influenza virus, and infections remain rare worldwide. Cats appear to be more susceptible than dogs, particularly if they come into contact with wildlife, scavenge wild bird carcasses, or consume raw poultry or unpasteurised milk contaminated with the virus.
The current risk to cats in Australia is considered low. Cats who spend time outside, are likely to come into contact with wildlife, scavenge wild bird carcasses, or consume raw poultry or unpasteurised dairy products may have a higher risk of exposure than cats who are kept indoors and fed a balanced commercial diet.
Yes, but it’s very uncommon. Dogs are considered less susceptible to avian influenza virus (H5N1) than cats, and there’s currently no evidence that they spread the virus to people or other animals. The greatest risk comes from contact with sick or dead wild birds, so it’s best to keep dogs on a lead in areas where wild birds gather and prevent them from scavenging.
The RSPCA recommends against feeding cats raw or unpasteurised animal-based foods at any time because they can carry harmful bacteria such as Salmonella. Although it’s important to note that there is currently no evidence of any of Australia’s poultry production or other farmed animals being affected by bird flu, viruses, including H5N1 (bird flu), can survive in raw poultry and unpasteurised milk, making a cooked or commercial diet the safer choice.
No one expects their pet to become unwell, but unexpected vet bills can add up quickly. With RSPCA Pet Insurance, you can claim back a percentage of eligible vet costs for covered illnesses and injuries, helping to ease the financial pressure when your pet needs care. You can also customise your cover by choosing your annual limit, benefit percentage, and excess to suit your pet and your budget. To learn more, visit the RSPCA Pet Insurance website or click here for a quick, commitment-free quote.
As with any insurance, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.
