Viva Raw Recall, Explained: What Cat Owners Need to Do Right Now

Viva Raw Recall (Aug 2025): What’s Affected + What to Do Now (Calm, Practical Plan)

Updated December 20, 2025 | By Hicham Aouladi

About this guide

I’m Hicham (Pawfect Cat Care founder). I wrote this as a calm, practical plan to keep your cat fed and your home safe without panic scrolling. I cross-checked key points against reputable veterinary sources. Educational only — not a substitute for veterinary care.

If raw food is part of your cat’s routine, a recall can feel like someone pulled the rug from under you. I get it. Your brain immediately goes: “Did I feed the wrong thing? Do I need to throw everything out? What if my cat gets sick?”

Let’s slow it down and make it simple. This guide walks you through how to check your lot code, what the real risks are for cats and humans, what symptoms to watch for, and exactly what to do today so you feel back in control. And yes — we’ll cover safe “what do I feed tonight?” options too.

Table of Contents

1. What’s being recalled (and why)
2. How to check your product & lot codes
3. Do this now: a safe, simple plan
4. Real risks for cats & people
5. Symptoms to watch in cats
6. What to feed while things settle
7. Raw-handling hygiene that actually works
8. FAQ
9. References

1) What’s Being Recalled (and Why)

In late August 2025, Viva Raw announced a voluntary recall for specific lots of select products after testing raised concerns about possible contamination (commonly discussed pathogens in raw recalls include Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes). The key detail here is this: recalls are usually lot-specific. That means the brand name alone isn’t enough — the lot code is what tells the real story.

Keep it grounded: Before you toss everything, confirm the lot code first. Many people panic and throw out safe batches unnecessarily. The fastest path to clarity is: product name + size + lot code + best-by date.

2) How to Check Your Product & Lot Codes

This is the part that turns stress into a yes/no answer. Grab the package (or take it out of the trash bag for 10 seconds), and look for a printed code — it may be near the seal, on a label, or on the outer wrap.

• Find the code: Look for “LOT”, “Lot#”, and a best-by/use-by date. Take a clear photo.
• Match the details: Compare your exact product (protein + size) and lot code to the official recall bulletin.
• If it matches: Stop feeding immediately. Seal it and follow the bulletin’s disposal/refund instructions.
• If it doesn’t match: Your product isn’t part of that recall — still handle raw safely, but you don’t need to panic.
• If you’re not sure: Email/DM customer support with photos, or ask your vet to help you interpret it.

Little tip that saves headaches: If you have multiple raw products in the freezer, write the lot code + date in your phone notes. Next time, you won’t be playing “freezer detective.”

3) Do This Now: A Safe, Simple Plan

Here’s the calm checklist I’d use in my own home:

1. Stop feeding any product that matches the affected lot list.
2. Seal & separate: put it in a leak-proof bag or container away from human food.
3. Document: take photos of the label, lot code, and best-by date (helps with refunds and vet questions).
4. Reset your feeding zone: wash bowls and mats with hot soapy water, then disinfect following the product label.
5. Monitor for 10–14 days: most issues (if they happen) show up around the time after exposure.

Extra caution homes: If you have kids, pregnant people, seniors, or anyone immunocompromised at home, treat cleanup like you’re cleaning up raw chicken. Keep bowls/mats out of reach, wipe surfaces, wash hands, and don’t let pets lick faces right after meals.

If you need easy “what do I feed tonight?” help, these two guides make the decision less overwhelming: Wet vs. Dry: Smart Mix and How Much Should My Cat Eat?.

4) Real Risks for Cats & People

The hard part about raw-related pathogens is that some cats show clear stomach upset… and others look totally fine while still shedding germs in stool. That’s why this isn’t only about your cat’s symptoms — it’s also about household hygiene.

Who	What can happen	What helps most
Cats	Vomiting, diarrhea, low appetite, lethargy; sometimes no symptoms.	Stop feeding affected lots, monitor closely, call vet early if signs appear.
Humans	GI illness after handling contaminated food/bowls/surfaces.	Handwashing, surface cleanup, avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen.
High-risk people	Higher risk of severe illness (kids, elderly, pregnant, immunocompromised).	Prefer cooked/ready-to-eat options, stricter hygiene, keep feeding tools separated.

If your readers want more context (without the “raw vs raw wars”), they can read: Raw vs. Ready-to-Eat: Evidence .

5) Symptoms to Watch in Cats

If your cat ate a product that ends up matching the recall list, keep an eye out for these signs (especially over the next 10–14 days):

• Vomiting or diarrhea (sometimes with mucus or blood)
• Lethargy, fever, hiding, or unusual sleepiness
• Reduced appetite, dehydration (tacky gums, less urine)
• Sudden litter-box changes (very loose stool, frequent trips)

What to tell your vet (fast + helpful): bring the product name, protein, package size, lot code, best-by date, and when your cat last ate it. That one minute of info saves time and gets you better guidance.

If hydration becomes a worry, these two guides can help you stay calm and practical: Cat Urinary Health & Hydration and Cat Not Eating or Drinking? A Calm 48-Hour Plan.

6) What to Feed While Things Settle

You don’t have to “give up” on your nutrition goals overnight. The mission right now is simple: keep your cat eating, keep moisture high, and reduce handling risk while you confirm lot codes.

• Complete & balanced canned food (pâté, minced, or shreds) — easy, safer, and usually well-tolerated.
• Gently cooked fresh diets from brands that share testing protocols or safety steps.
• Freeze-dried raw (short-term) if you already use it — but treat it like raw: dedicated tools + cleanup.

If you want a no-drama feeding plan while you transition, start here: Wet vs. Dry: Smart Mix. And if portion size is your biggest question (it’s a common one), this helps: How Much Should My Cat Eat?.

One thing I don’t recommend: don’t try to “fix” recalled food by cooking it at home. If it’s on the recall list, follow the official instructions for return/disposal.

7) Raw-Handling Hygiene That Actually Works

If you feed raw sometimes (even outside recalls), these are the habits that actually reduce risk without turning your kitchen into a lab:

• Thaw in the fridge inside a covered container — never on the counter.
• Keep raw on the lowest shelf to avoid drips onto other foods.
• Use dedicated tools (one board/knife/scoop for pet food only).
• Wash bowls after every meal with hot soapy water; then disinfect if needed (follow label directions).
• Wipe surfaces + handles (fridge handle, drawer pulls, faucet knobs).
• Litter box hygiene matters: pathogens can pass through stool — wash hands after scooping.

My “2-minute reset” after raw feeding: wash bowl + scoop, wipe the counter area, wash hands, and toss the towel in the laundry. It’s simple enough that you’ll actually do it consistently.

8) FAQ

Is all Viva Raw unsafe now?

No. Recalls are usually narrow and batch-based. If your lot code isn’t listed in the bulletin, it typically isn’t part of that recall. Still, good hygiene is always worth it.

Can I cook recalled raw food to make it safe?

I wouldn’t. If it matches a recall lot list, follow the official instructions for return/disposal. Cooking at home isn’t the right “fix” for a recalled product.

My cat ate it but seems okay — what now?

Monitor closely for 10–14 days, keep hydration up, and call your veterinarian if anything changes. For a calm checklist, see: Common Cat Health Problems.

What if I already thawed the food?

Seal it, separate it from human food, and follow the bulletin’s instructions. Then do a quick fridge/freezer wipe-down and wash hands/tools.

⇛Related on Pawfect Cat Care: Wet vs Dry Cat Food • How Much Should My Cat Eat? • Raw vs Ready-to-Eat • Raw Feeding & H5N1 (2025) • 

Quick Wrap-Up (So You Can Breathe)

If you take one thing from this page, make it this: lot codes decide everything. Once you confirm whether your product is affected, your next steps become simple — stop feeding affected lots, clean the feeding zone, and watch your cat for any GI changes.

And hey — if raw feeding is important to you long-term, that’s a separate decision you can make with a clear head later. For today, your win is getting your cat safely fed and keeping your household calm and clean.

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References

• FDA: Recalls & Withdrawals (Pet Food)
• CDC: Salmonella & Pets
• CDC: Listeria (Listeriosis)
• AVMA: Pet Food Safety
• Manufacturer recall communications and customer service notices related to the August 2025 recall (check packaging for lot codes and contact details).

Educational only — full disclaimer.

Written by Hicham Aouladi

Cat parent and founder of Pawfect Cat Care. After a wake-up call when his own cat started gaining weight and losing energy, Hicham dove into feline nutrition, behavior, and veterinary guidelines so he could make better choices at home. Today he turns dense, vet-style information into simple, step-by-step guides so cat parents feel calmer, more confident, and better prepared for conversations with their vets.

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