Can Birds And Cats Live Together?

Even house cats will chase and pounce on birds because these behaviors are so instinctive, but can pet birds and house cats overcome these natural instincts in order to coexist peacefully? Cats and birds can coexist in the house but you will have to take some measures to ensure that the cats do not have access to the birds at any time.

Cats’ natural instinct to pounce, catch, and play with birds can appear at any time, instantly putting your birds’ lives in danger, but of course every cat and every bird is different, and some cats will not care about pet birds at all while others will make it their life’s mission to get to your bird, and you will need Evaluate your pets’ personalities and always stay on your toes if you allow birds and cats to interact.

Natural instincts of cats and birds:

Cats in the wild will catch, chase, and surprise their prey, which can consist of small mammals, reptiles, fish, and even birds. It is fun for cats to jump and catch things, whether they are alive or not, and birds are no exception, and cats see birds as fun. Playing with it or as food, and do not differentiate between pets and wild animals.

Most birds, whether in captivity or the wild, will fly away when surprised, noise, or noticed by cats, and if they feel the slightest threat. Birds may emit a cry to alert other birds of a predator. Birds that are kept as pets are usually not large enough to harm a cat if it tries to defend itself. For itself, but even if a cat approaches a large bird like a parrot, it is instinctively frightened and will flee if possible before having to fight.

How do cats pose a danger to birds?

This may seem like an obvious answer but cats can hurt or kill birds very easily. They will hurt the bird with their sharp claws or can cause serious wounds and infections from bacteria in their mouth. Cats can also pull out important feathers needed for flight, balance and warmth and cause serious psychological trauma in birds that If attacked or threatened, cats can eat small birds.

Can birds be dangerous to cats?

Despite the fact that cats are certainly more dangerous to birds than birds are to cats, a larger bird can still do some damage to an unsuspecting cat. Large parrots have powerful beaks and claws that can cause damage to anything they decide to grab, and they can even catch a cat. And bite it, especially if the cat is frightened and does not try to attack the bird, and this often appears with shy or curious cats and frightened parrots that act out of self-defense.

Ways to Help Cats and Birds Coexist:

Despite the fact that cats naturally like to hunt and even eat pet birds, there are things you can do to help these species live together peacefully inside your home.

* Secure the bird cage: If you have curious cats, make sure that the birds have a secure cage that the cats cannot enter so that you do not have to worry about them when you are not home. In addition, make sure that the cats cannot knock over the bird cage, often Small cages, such as those used for canaries, are often placed on tables and can be easily dropped. Secure the cage to a sturdy stand or table, or make sure the cage is heavy enough that cats cannot push it. Finally, use cage locks or carabiners to make sure your cat cannot Open the bird cage doors.

* Keep birds in separate rooms: Consider placing the bird cage in a room you can keep your cat away from, as birds inside a cage that are chased by cats (even if they are safe behind bars) can cause undue stress.

* Never allow cats inside a bird cage: Never allow a cat to spend time in a cage even if birds are not present, as you do not want your cat to think of these areas as their own places and develop any sense of ownership or territorial claims.

* Try introducing birds to your cat: This is usually a very slow process and you should start by simply allowing the birds and cats in the cage to see each other from a distance, and eventually, you can reduce the distance between the two after making sure that both are comfortable and not stressed, and some people who They have cats that do not show signs of going into predator mode. They will take the birds out of their cage and allow the two to see each other without bars in the way, and if you feel comfortable trying this, it should be done with great care and awareness in case the birds try to jump out of your hands or your cat tries to pounce. On birds.