I get the most unusual looks and comments from people who are surprised to hear that I have cats and birds --together, alive, peacefully! I thought that maybe I could share a few tips for other bird people that also find themselves with a cat in the home.
Before I get to the tips, I have to tell you about Whitie and my birds. Whitie is an older cat who hates other cats, but loves birds. When Whitie stays at the Vet (he's diabetic), Doctor B. has to put Whitie in a seperate area. It's because if Whitie see's the doctor or his assistants working with another cat he starts hissing and just getting too jealous. Birds though are a completely differant story.
Whitie can be out when my birds are out. We have 4 budgies , in addition to the parrotlets, and the budgies have no fear of Whitie. Whitie lets Luna land on him. Luna (the ringleader budgie) will walk right up to Whitie under his nose, which then causes the other budgies to run up to him. What one does they all gotta do. They have even pecked his tail or his paw and Whitie doesn't mind. They've eaten off his cat food plate with him eating too. The first time this happened --Luna, again--the look on Whitie's face was priceless. He saw Luna eating his cat food and looked up at me rather dumbfounded like, "Mom, what's this bird doing in my plate?" But he went back to eating and letting Luna walk through his food.
The few times Whitie has gotten close to the parrotlets, I've actually had to worry more about Whitie than the parrotlets. Eev always reaches out and tries to bite Whitie's nose. Same with Peanut. Parrotlets bite hard for a small bird and so I have to watch out for Whitie.
Granted, not every cat in every instance will learn to be around birds and coexist happily, but cats get a pretty bum rap as being impossible to keep with birds. And there are many cats who do live with birds already and do so without any problems. So, to help the cat & bird households out there, here are some tips.
When you are training a cat to be nice to your bird, you must supervise your cat at all times. I realize that for some people, at first "nice" isn't so much the objective as just getting the cat/kitten to allow the bird to live. This is the cardinal rule, supervision. Do not allow the cat to roam about where the birds are when you are not home. Put the cat in another room, or keep the birds seperate.
I advise that you get a leash and keep your cat on a leash whenever the cat is exposed to the bird, until the cat is trained. Cats and kittens are just too quick.
Get a squirt bottle and fill it with plain old water. When you cat tries to paw at the bird in his cage, or tries to jump at the bird squirt it with water.
A rolled up newspaper --not to hit the cat with. Use the newspaper to make a loud noise which will startle the cat. Just hit it against the floor, the noise is enough.
OK, we want to gradually introduce the cat to the bird and for short periods of time at first. Maybe 10 to 15 minute sessions. It's really important to understand that a cat is curious about your bird. He wants to see it, just like you do. Birds fascinate us all. Your cat must be allowed to "look" at the bird or it will try harder to get the bird.
Set the closed bird cage down on the floor, and sit right next to it. Keep the bird in the cage, do not take it out --very important. You've got your cat on a leash and your other training aids right next to you. Allow your cat to approach the cage. Let kitty look. Believe it or not, after training 5 cats to be nice to birds, I've noticed alot of it is the fascination cats have for those cute bird toys in the cage. Cats want to play with those toys.
When kitty is looking at the cage, if your cat is doing anything undesirable like trying to jump at on on the cage, use your training aids immediately. Yell, "NO!" Pull him away with the leash, and/or hit the floor with the newspaper.
Keep the training sessions short. As the cat gradually learns those birds are off-limits, you can begin to increase the time the cat can be out with the birds. Make sure you keep him on the leash until you are certain that he is OK on his own. You do not always need to sit on the floor with the birdcage. That is just really for about the initial week. After that, kitty has seen them and the birds can be put back where you keep them.
I hope these tips help. If you are reading this and you have tips to share, please post them in the Guestbook. Cats & birds can really get along.
He was the best cat. He will be missed by flesh and feathers alike dearly.
candle graphic copyright 1997, Robin Wood. Used with permission. Livingtree Grove-Robin Wood
