Cats and Pet Birds Cats are natural predators and birds are natural prey, so this can cause a lot of problems if the two pets need to live together. As is often depicted in cat cartoons, outdoor cats and even domestic cats stalk and pounce on birds because these behaviors are very instinctive. But can pet birds and house cats overcome these natural instincts and allow them to coexist peacefully? Cats and Birds Coexistence Cats and birds can coexist in the home, but certain measures must be taken to ensure that cats cannot get close to birds at any time. The cat’s natural instinct to pounce, catch, and “play” with the bird can manifest at any time, putting your bird’s life in immediate danger. But of course, every cat and every bird is different. Some cats don’t care about a pet bird at all, while others make it their life mission to capture a bird. If you allow your bird and cat to interact, you will need to assess your pet’s personality and be vigilant at all times. Cats and Birds Instinct Cats in the wild will hunt, stalk and surprise their prey, which may include small mammals, reptiles, fish, and even birds. Cats are a lot of fun jumping up and scratching, live or not, and birds are no exception. Cats see birds as a pleasure to play or food, and do not distinguish between pets and wild birds.
Most birds, whether in captivity or in the wild, will fly away at the slightest startle, noise, or sighting of a cat whenever they feel the slightest threat. The bird may even make a call to alert other birds to predators. Birds kept as pets are usually not big enough to injure cats if they try to defend themselves, but even if a large bird, such as a macaw, is approached by a cat, it is instinctively afraid and will run away if possible before having to fight .
What are the dangers of cats to birds? It’s an obvious thing, but a cat can easily injure or possibly kill a bird. It can injure birds with its sharp claws, or it can cause serious wounds and bacterial infections in the mouth. Cats can also pluck out vital feathers needed for flight, balance, and warmth, and cause severe trauma to birds that are attacked or threatened. Cats can even eat small birds. Are Birds Dangerous to Cats? Cats are certainly more harmful to birds than birds are to cats, but larger birds are still capable of causing some damage to unsuspecting cats. Large parrots have strong beaks and claws that can damage anything they decide to grab. They can grab and bite cats, especially if the cat is scared and doesn’t want to attack the bird. This condition is most commonly seen in shy or curious cats and frightened parrots who act in self-defense.
Ways to Help Cats and Birds Coexist Cats naturally want to catch and even eat pet birds, but there are a few things you can do to help these pets coexist peacefully in your home.
- Secure the bird cage; if you have a curious cat, make sure your bird has a safe cage or bird cage out of the way for cats so you don’t have to worry about them when you’re not home. Also, make sure your cat doesn’t knock over the cage. Small cages like canaries are usually placed on tables and can easily be knocked over. Secure the cage to a stand or sturdy table, or make sure the cage is heavy enough that your cat cannot push it around. Finally, use a cage lock or carabiner to make sure your cat cannot open the cage door.
- Keep them in a separate room – Consider putting the birdcage in a room where your cat can stay away. A caged bird being stalked by a cat (even if it’s safe in prison) can put unnecessary stress on the bird.
- Never allow cats to enter bird cages or cages; do not allow cats to linger in bird cages or cages even if the bird is not present. You don’t want your cat to see these areas as their own and create any ownership or territorial claims. Try to introduce your bird to your cat; this is usually a very slow process, and you should start by allowing the caged bird and cat to see each other from a distance.
- After making sure both are comfortable and stress-free, you can narrow the distance between them. Some people whose cats show no sign of going into predator mode will take their birds out of their cages and allow the two to see each other without obstruction. If you feel comfortable doing this, you must be very careful and careful in case your bird tries to jump out of your hand or your cat tries to pounce on the bird.
