Cats and Birds? In the Same House?
Cats instinctively react to movement. Birds tend to move around a lot in their cages, especially if a cat is giving them "The Look" from right outside the cage door. Do you have to give up the idea of cats and birds in the same house? No, but there are precautions to take.
For small birds, like finches, who are not used to being handled, who live in their cages always, the best solution is to keep the cat out of the room where the bird cage is set up. Some birds can become so overwrought at the sight of a predator that they have a heart attack.
To recap some bird-care basics - birds will need to be in a sunny but not overly warm room, where they can see out of the window or see themselves in a mirror. This will keep them from getting bored—boredom leads to plucking out their feathers, similar to biting fingernails or twisting a lock of hair in humans. They’ll also need visits from you on a regular basis, for company as well as food, water and cage cleaning duty. Music helps too. Birds like to sing or chirp along to the latest tunes too. As with any pet, it is up to you to become an expert in their care, so please find good bird-care resources and don't limit yourself to the advice given on a cat site.
A Bird's Life with Cats
To be safe, there should be a lock on the door. A sliding bolt works well and it should be high enough kids can’t reach it. If your bird likes to come out of his or her cage for a walkabout or to sit on a perch while the cage is cleaned, have a lock on the inside of the door too so no one opens the door while the bird is vulnerable. Cats are very fast.
Although most people think a larger bird like a parrot or a macaw could protect himself, the fact is that cats react quickly. Even a scratch can cause an infection in the bird and by the time it’s noticeable enough to the human that something is wrong, it’s often too late to save the bird’s life. One bite can also leave puncture wounds that are life threatening. Even if you can’t see the marks, if your cat has gotten that close to your bird, take the bird to the veterinarian immediately.
Keep in mind that once a cat catches a bird, he will be more than reluctant to let the bird go. In his mind, it’s his prey, not your pet, and he’s not going to give it up. This can cause even more physical harm to the bird. The cat is not being evil, not hunting because he’s hungry and not jealous of the time you spend in the room with the bird. It’s just that cats don’t distinguish between the feathered toy you brought home for him to chase and a real bird.
No amount of prevention or precaution will guarantee the safety of the bird. Mindful management is a must. Don’t just lock the door out of habit—have a routine and a mental checklist to follow. Running to grab the phone or to answer a child’s question can be a matter of life and death for your bird if the door is left open, even for a minute.
Cats and birds can co-exist but it’s up to you to make the rules for living and to enforce them, every time.
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