If you've seen headlines about bird flu spreading through Australia this year, you might be wondering what it actually means for your cat or dog at home. The short version: pets are rarely infected, but when they are, it can be serious — and a few simple habits go a long way toward keeping your furry family safe.
Where things stand right now
As of mid-August 2026, H5 bird flu has been confirmed in six states across Australia — South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and, most recently, Tasmania. South Australia has recorded the largest number of events, and the federal government has launched a vaccination program for the native species most at risk. There's no evidence of the virus reaching poultry or farmed animals, and the risk to human health remains low — but it's a developing situation worth staying across.
Can my dog or cat catch it?
The main way pets get exposed is through hunting or scavenging an infected bird — so the risk depends a lot on your pet's habits and access to the outdoors.
Dogs
Dogs generally get off lightly. Symptoms tend to be mild, and some dogs have only been found to have been exposed after the fact, through a blood test. The dogs at greatest risk are the ones who like to sniff, mouth or pick up dead birds — which includes plenty of retrieving and working breeds. If you're walking near the coast or bushland in an affected area, keeping your dog leashed is a smart precaution.
Watch for: lethargy, sudden fever, loss of appetite, coughing or laboured breathing, swelling around the head or eyes, diarrhoea, tremors or unsteadiness.
Cats
Cats are more vulnerable. Infection tends to move fast — fever and lethargy first, followed by neurological signs like wobbliness, head tremors or sudden blindness, then breathing difficulties. Most affected cats become unwell within 24 hours of exposure. Fatality rates reported overseas have been high (some studies cite up to 90%), though vets note these figures likely skew high since only the most severe cases tend to get tested.
Watch for: sudden lethargy or fever, appetite loss, wobbliness or circling, head tremors, sudden blindness, seizures, coughing or nasal/eye discharge.
This is one of the strongest arguments for keeping cats indoors or in a secure, enclosed space — it removes the hunting and scavenging behaviour that's the main route of infection, and it protects local wildlife too. A tall cat tree or a secure outdoor cat enclosure can go a long way toward keeping an adventurous cat happy and occupied without letting them roam.
Why dead birds are just as risky as sick ones
It's easy to assume the danger has passed once a bird has died, but the virus can survive in a carcass for around 30 days at 20°C — longer in cooler weather. That means a dead bird lying in the yard or on a beach is still a hazard long after it stopped moving, so keep pets away from any bird remains, not just visibly sick birds.
Simple ways to protect your pets
- Keep cats indoors or in a secure, enclosed space
- Leash dogs in areas where sick or dead wildlife has been reported
- Never let pets approach, sniff or scavenge a dead or sick bird
- Don't leave pet food or water bowls outside where wild birds can access them
- Wash your hands after handling birds, bird feeders, or anything outdoors your pet has been near
- Avoid feeding raw or undercooked poultry, raw pet food, or unpasteurised milk — cooking and pasteurising both inactivate the virus
If you see a sick or dead bird
Don't touch it. Keep your distance, note the location and take a photo if it's safe to do so, then call the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. Reporting even a single bird helps authorities track how the virus is moving — you don't need to wait for an obvious outbreak.
The bottom line
For most pets — especially indoor cats and dogs without access to wild birds — the everyday risk stays low. But with spring migration bringing more birds to Australian shores over the coming months, it's worth building these habits in now rather than later.
This article draws on veterinary guidance and current case data compiled by Perfect Pets Australia, whose H5 bird flu resource page is updated regularly with the latest state-by-state figures, downloadable fact sheets, and links to official government sources. Head there for the most current numbers and further detail.
This information is general in nature and reflects a developing situation. If you're concerned about your pet's health, contact your veterinarian.