Cats are natural hunters, while birds are natural prey. If these two types of pets have to live together, this can cause problems. As seen in many cartoons, outdoor and indoor cats tend to hunt and pounce on birds. But can pet birds and house cats overcome these instincts to live together peacefully? Canvas Personalized will discuss this with you in this post in response to the question, “Can cats and birds live together?”
1. Can Cats And Birds Live Together?
It is possible to share a home with both a cat and a bird, but safety precautions must be taken to prevent the cat from physically harming the bird. Your bird’s life may be in jeopardy if your cat acts on its natural impulse to attack, capture, and “play” with the bird.
But of course, every cat and every bird is different. Some cats won’t pay any attention to a bird kept as a pet, while others will make it their purpose to catch a bird. If you want to let your cat and bird play together, you should get to know each other’s personalities first.
2. The Birds’ and Cats’ Natural Instincts
Wild cats hunt, stalk, and ambush their prey, which includes rodents, amphibians, fish, and even birds. Any object, including birds, can be a source of entertainment for a cat that enjoys jumping and catching them. Cats do not know the difference between domesticated and wild birds; they like playing with and eating both.
Most birds, whether they are kept as pets or live in the wild, will flee at the first sign of danger, such as a sudden noise or the presence of a cat. The bird may even make a distress call to warn other birds of a threat. Even a big bird, like a macaw, is scared of cats and would escape if possible rather than fight if one approaches it, and most pet birds are not large enough to kill a cat if they try to defend themselves.
3. How Exactly Do Cats Provide A Threat To Birds?
It appears to be an easy answer. But it’s important to note that cats can cause severe injury or even death to birds with little effort. A bird will suffer injuries from a cat’s sharp claws. And the bacteria in a cat’s mouth can cause significant wounds and infections for your pet bird.
In addition, cats can pluck away vital feathers, which birds use for flight, balance, and insulation. Cat attacks or threats can make your small bird frightened or even shocked to death, even if the cat doesn’t hurt the bird physically. Even young birds aren’t safe from cats’ appetites.
4. Can Cats Get Hurt By Birds?
The threat posed by a cat to a bird is greater than that posed by a bird to a cat, yet a larger bird can still harm an unwary cat. Big parrots can cause significant injury with their powerful beaks and claws, whatever they decide to capture.
Even if the cat isn’t actively trying to fight back, it can grasp it and bite it if it’s afraid. This is especially common in timid cats, curious kittens, and scared parrots trying to protect themselves.
5. Ways To Help Cats And Birds Live Safely Together
Even though cats have an innate desire to hunt and even consume birds kept as pets, some steps can be taken to ensure that these two species coexist in your home without conflict.
Make sure the birdcage is secure
To avoid worrying about your bird while you’re away from home, if you have a curious cat, provide it with a safe cage or aviary the cat cannot enter. In addition, safeguard the birdcage from your cat’s potential destruction.
Canary cages, typically relatively small, are generally kept on tables and, therefore, vulnerable to being knocked over. Put the cage on a stand or table so your cat can’t knock it over, or make it heavy enough that it won’t move. Last but not least, fit the birdcage’s doors with cage locks or carabiners to prevent entry by your cat.
Put them in isolated areas
You might consider putting the birdcage in a room your cat can’t access. Even if the bird is protected behind the bars of its cage, it may still become stressed out if a cat follows it.
Never let your cat into your bird’s cage
Cats should never be let inside a bird’s cage or aviary, regardless of whether or not the bird is present. You do not want your cat to establish any sort of claim or ownership over these spaces.
Try putting your bird and cat together
Allowing your caged bird and cat to observe each other from a distance is a good first step in what will likely be a long and gradual process. After you have established that both parties are at ease and not under undue pressure, you can eventually bring the gap between them closer together.
If a cat isn’t showing any indications of being aggressive, its owners might let their birds from cages so the animals can interact without fear of being attacked. If you feel comfortable trying this, you should be very careful and aware if your bird tries to escape your hands or your cat attempts to pounce on the bird.
>> Another related post that you may be interested in:
- Say Goodbye to Messes: Potty Training Bird Tips and Tricks
- 400 Best Bird Names For Your New Companion: Tips And Ideas
Now you know the answer to “Can cats and birds live together?” through the Canvas Personalized article. To sum up, cats and birds can live together peacefully if their owners do what they must to keep them safe.
You can create a loving and peaceful environment for both pets to thrive in by keeping them apart when they eat, giving them lots of toys and things to do to keep them busy, and watching how they interact with each other. Read up on our other posts to find out more about taking care of your bird or cat.
