Pet owners and bird flu

H5 bird flu mainly affects birds. In rare cases, other animals can be infected after contact with infected birds or other animals. This can include cats and dogs.

Know what you can do to keep your pets safe.

If you suspect H5 bird flu, report it. Call the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Signs of bird flu in cats and dogs

Signs may include:

fever
lethargy
decreased appetite
reddened or inflamed eyes
discharge from eyes and nose
coughing or sneezing
difficulty breathing
neurological signs, like tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness
death.

Report signs of bird flu

Bird flu is a notifiable animal disease. You must report it if you suspect a bird or other animal is infected.

Call the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Protect your pets

To help protect your pets from bird flu:

keep wild birds away from pet food and water
don’t let pets eat or touch sick or dead animals
keep dogs on a leash, especially in wildlife areas
keep cats indoors and prevent them from roaming
if you have had direct contact with sick or dead birds, shower and change clothes before touching your pets.