Joining officials across the country, the Iowa Department of Agriculture is warning pet owners to keep their dogs and cats away from sick or dead wild birds and other wildlife, citing the risk of bird flu.
The department says a cat in Hamilton County that spent most of its time outdoors recently tested positive for the disease after other causes of illness had been ruled out.
It’s also warning against feeding pets raw, undercooked or unpasteurized eggs, meat and pet food, apparently in response to reports that cats in California and Oregon fed brands of raw pet food have fallen sick with bird flu and in one case, died . It warns, as well, against giving them unpasteurized milk, which has been linked to the deaths of four cats…