Owners of Cat(s) & Parrot(s)

[zazanomore]

8 is not old for a cat, FWIW. It's just middle aged. I had one kitty who lived to 21.

Depends on if it's an indoor or outdoor cat.

I've met cats in their twenties. As a child though, I lived on a farm, and I remember the random barn cats would always come and go.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Right, but that's a measure of what a hard life will do for you, not what age inherently does. One of our 15 year olds was feral and starved when I got him, but a change in environment can make a huge difference.

[a.susz]

when me and my guy get a larger place this summer, i am getting my 11 year old dog back from my parents. she is a lab chow mix, and very very docile around the birds. pretty sure peanut bit her on the nose once through the cage as a pup, so she learned very quick to stay away. the bird lands on the floor in front of her and shes like "meh." my cat on the other hand, they can keep. around the birds she will sit and stare for a looong time. i wouldn't trust her for a second.

[TheNzJessie]

i have a cat and 2 birds and i would NEVER let them out together nor leave my cat unattended in my room. with the right precautions i think its fine to have a cat and bird and the same house but never underestimate there natural instincts. my cat couldn't care less about my bird, she was a dumped cat who had 5 kittens under my deck. so i think shes grateful for a home but i would never leave her unattended in my room with my bird even in the cage. she sleeps in my room during the day when im home but not at night (she did when she was under vet treatment) but she has her bed and hot water bottle in another room at night;.

i hope you can learn something form what iv done?

[michellet]

I know this topic is a few weeks old now, but i've only just stumbled across it.... what did you end up doing Brittany???
I own 2 dogs, 1 cat, 6 budgies and 1 GCC....and have 2 HUMAN kids!
The dogs have absolutely no contact with the birds as they are not allowed in the house...Pepper the cat pretty much comes and goes as she pleases, but probably spends 50% of the time outside. Whenever she knocks to come in (yes she's knocks! ) whoever lets her in checks that all birds are in their cages before opening the door....and calls out to let everyone else in the house know that Pepper is now inside. If we have any or all of the birds out of their cages then Pepper is told "no" when she knocks and we dont let her in until we've finished training or playing with the birds. This all works incredibly well for us...my kids are very responsible pet owners, and even their friends that visit regularly will check where the birds are before opening any external doors. The way I see it, there are many risks and responsibilities that come with owning pets, and modifications need to be made....but they are all entirely manageable and achievable if you are well informed and realistic....I think the time I was most illinformed and uprepared, and had to make the most modifications to my living space and lifestyle was when i brought my first HUMAN baby home!

[ChrisWink]

I have 2 cats and 2 big goofy golden retrievers and have no problems what so ever. My cats are both inside and declawed. While my TomCat will watch the birds from a distance he is afraid of my birds. First when they are on the floor at the same time my birds stand as tall as the cats and TomCat had a huge chunk taken out of his but a few years ago. My other cat BobCat could care less about the birds and doesn't even acknowledge they are there.

My Goldens are the clean up crew and other then waiting for food (or anything else dropped) to be tossed at them they pay absolutely no attention to the birds. With the exception of getting out of the birds way if they are walking towards them.

[meowingaround]

Having four cats myself. It can be done I assure you.

My two youngest cats are the only issue.. my older cats.. have not now nor ever been serious "hunters".
By that I mean they might chase a bug here and there.. but don't kill said bug.. in fact if the bug makes a move.. they retreat.

My younger boys however.. have posed serious stress... on myself and my birds.

I had to anchor the cage, that was my biggest issue. The young ones could topple it over.. so now it's encased in a heavy metal shelving unit.

The young ones have gradually lost interest. But here's how I cope.

I have the cage near the computer .. tv area.. which in fact is the social area of our home.

The cage remains open as long as I'm in the room now.

I keep a water bottle near me.

I do not think it's impossible to train a cat to not bother a bird.

I do not think you can ever completely trust your cat won't bother your bird.

If you love the cats and birds.. it can be done... Just takes some work.. it's way harder if you have an actual "hunting" cat though.

o_0