TWRA Warns Cat Owners About Bird Flu

The TWRA is reminding those who have cats as pets to be alert for avian influenza, commonly known as the Bird Flu. A recent outbreak of the bird flu has caused alarm in the wildlife community as the illness has now been found in some mammals. Experts say that felines are more at risk than others. Both big cats, like those at Zoo Knoxville, and their distant smaller cousins, the typical housecat are equally at risk.

The TWRA says if you have cats that stay outdoors, you need to be watching them for what they eat. Also, if your cats live indoors, they can still be at risk. If you come across a dead bird, make sure when coming back indoors that you change your clothes and shoes and wash your hands thoroughly and clean anything you have touched. The TWRA says the bird flu can cause neurological issues and pneumonia in cats, which can be deadly. The TWRA also says do not feed your cats raw meat.