CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) — Ohio is currently dealing with a significant bird flu outbreak, affecting not just large chicken farms but also backyard coops and even local parks. But the concern doesn’t stop at farms and wildlife — experts warn that the threat could be closer to home.
Dr. Tracy Hitchcock Smith, a veterinarian at Oak Tree Hospital, emphasizes the potential risks for household pets.
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While rare, pets can contract bird flu. Dr. Hitchcock Smith explains that the virus primarily spreads through bird feces or from consuming infected birds. This makes outdoor pets, especially cats, more vulnerable.
“They are more likely to be hunters and eat those birds,” says Dr. Hitchcock Smith. “There is also a concern of pet owners feeding their cats freeze-dried diets.”…