Other pets living with birds?

[theycallmeparrot]

I live with two dogs and two cats, as well as my two parrots.

The first pet I had as a kid was a little mutt dog named Patty. Then we had a redtail boa constrictor named Rose. She was about four feet long when we moved from Ohio to Utah and had to give her to one of my dad's friends before we moved.

I don't recall having a cat until we moved here (to Utah) but before our first cat, I had dwarf hamsters and an albino rat. I had hamsters all through when I was 8, 9, and 10, and got my rat before I turned 11. She died just before I turned 13, then we got our first cat.

His name is Zee and he's still around. He's about...11 years old, I think. Our second cat was a Bombay named Koda, but she got outside and disappeared last winter. She was an inside-outside cat when we adopted her, and she'd always come back if she got outside, but this time she didn't. Our third cat is a long-haired tortoise-shell calico named Matrix/Fuzzle (cuz she's VERY fuzzy) and she's still around. She's 5 or 6.

Our dogs are a Golden Retriever/Great Pyrenees mix named Maxie, and a German Shepherd named Luna. Maxie is...uh...7 or 8, I think, and I'm pretty sure Luna is 6. She was 4 months old when we adopted her and Maxie was 1 year old. The cats and dogs are all afraid of my birds, mostly because Tipsy bites them if they get too close. I think I also partly instilled some of that fear with a little bit of negative reinforcement if they got too close and/or seemed too interested in them...

We'd never had birds until I had many encounters of birds of all sizes at pet shops. Whenever we went to pet shops, I would spend all my time with the birds and would hold them if I was permitted. When I was 15, I started asking my parents if I could get a parrot. In September of the year I turned 16, I brought home Matisse, my cockatiel. He was just weaned; about 4 months old. Just over a year later, in May, I brought home my second parrot after he was weaned; a blue-headed Pionus named Ares.

Ares was just barely a year old when I, like a moron, took him outside with me to get the mail. It was 12 noon on June 1st, bright and sunny. A bird flying overhead startled him and he managed to free his feet from my grip and he took off. Two weeks later, I got a call from a woman asking if I'd found my parrot yet. I said, "No, have you?" and she said "No, but I have a proposition for you." A week later, I brought home Tipsy, a Jenday conure. It's been 3 years since then. Next June it'll be 4 years. Matisse is 5, Tipsy is 7, and Ares would be 3 if he was still here.

I don't think I'm any particular animal person (i.e. cat person, dog person, bird person, fish person, etc). I love all my animals. Though I am a bit biased toward my birds. I'm even planning on writing a fiction book to bring the plight of wild parrots to light (illegal parrot trade, deforestation, hunting). If it gets published, I want part of the proceeds to go to conservation.

(I'm designing and drawing a tattoo in honor of my boys. WIP = Work In Progress. Read the image description, please! )

[MissLady9902]

Hello. I have 2 dogs and two parrots and some finches.
Both my dogs have a healthy respect for my Senegal Noolde. If noodle is standing in the doorway to the office neither dog will go in even though you can see they really want too. Noodle has also been known to climb on my German Shepherd and ride him to me. Kaiser seems to know that when Noodle is on him if he comes to me I get her off. He's really nervous about Noodle being on him because Noodle bites his ears and nose. Reese my husbands dog it a bit scitzo and I don't trust her. Although I admit my budgies had their cage open all day and they wander around the house and the dogs ignore them. I don't have a cat because I am severly allergisc to them. I want a snake too but I don't think I'm going to get one while I've got by birdies (which is forever!)
Tell me about bearded dragons. What do they eat? How hard are they to keep? What are they like? The only lizard I've had are anoles and they're pretty easy.
I also have fish.
Like Mandy I LOVE animals of ANY kind. I want ducks, chickens, fish, Buffalo, horses, sheeps, goats, cows, reptiles, birds, birds, birds, dogs, and cats. The only animal I'm sure I'll NEVER get is a ferret. Bleh, I find them a bit disturbing. Sometimes I think I should work in a pet store so I don't have to bring them all home but a pet store salary won't pay for the parrots, dogs and husband!

[Heather]

I actually have quite a few other pets...two dogs, a cat, three ferrets...and that's just what's in the house! One of our dogs is a Jack Russel, and I will never allow her near the birds, but the other dog, a Border Collie, is quite fond of the birds (he's not really allowed to interact with them, though). The ferrets have never even seen the birds other than Winston, the canary. The cat just doesn't care...she's above such things as birds and people .

[BirdBrain]

I got on here to read the thoughts and experiences of others who have shared their homes with both birds and cats. I am considering adding a cat to our animal loving family. I am stunned at the comments left by this Michael person. I quote...
"Michael wrote:
Oh and please don't get offended. I know relatively little in this field and have only limited experience with other animals. I have met other people's cats and dogs before and that's the perspective I have as a non-owner so it could be skewed (but on the other hand unbiased). So if you think otherwise go right ahead and say so and don't take it personally."

These broad insulting judgements about animals, which you know nothing about, is like making character asessments of people and cultures by looking through only the pictures in a National Geographic magazine. You made reference to dog's behaving like a "dumb animal". Hmmmm, I think I could more accurately detect a dumb animal from this post discussion.

Have some respect for people AND animals. Educate yourself and broaden your horizons. I'm a puppy raiser and trainer for an internationally recognized and respected Guide Dog school and I can tell you first hand that PEOPLE underestimate the intelligence and remarkable talents of dogs. And one especially endearing trait we could ALL model from dogs, is how to better live in the moment. No deceptions, no grudges, just unadulterated joy for being with their companion. What a gift and a blessing they are. And FYI, my parrot loves my dogs.

[triplebbirds]

does the husband count as a pet?....... Darnit. Ok how about 4 boxers all under a year. and 2 rabbits but they are outside critters. Contrary to what may appear im not a dog person/cat person/ or bird person. Im a critter person. I have had so many different kinds in my life. and depsite having 6 kids im really not that old. Here is the list
Dogs
Cats
Hampsters
rabbits
horses
guinie pigs
Birds

Still normal pets?? ok
Sugar gliders
Ferrets
Turtles
Hedgehogs
Hermit crabs
Anole
Iguana
Vairious "if you catch it" snakes + a ball python
skinks
horny toad
a peacock
a pig


So as you can see im a critter person,
I dont limit myself to a label of this is what i like. So when i have to have a label its more like a all emcompassing one. Im a critter person.

[MandyG]

does the husband count as a pet?....... Darnit. Ok how about 4 boxers all under a year.

I think a husband should count Boxers! I love boxers. Both of my dogs are boxer crosses.

I have to say I'm thoroughly jealous of your list of animals! I've always wanted a sugar glider, snake, and iguana (among numerous other reptiles and critters). Birds are my compromise with my husband though, I can have my parrot if I promise to never get reptiles. I thought it was fair .

[triplebbirds]

The sugies were a birthday present from the husband. The reptiles were all pre hubby. But we both want to get another iguana. We both have had them. So that will be the next non bird one. But we both agree that we should wait until the kiddos get a bit bigger, i mean older.

[windharper]

I realize this is an old topic; but, I am new to the forum and wish to share. When I was very very young (before 1st grade?), we had a dog (Nipper), a cat(Fluffy), and a blue parakeet(Nicky). The cat was a stray we had taken in and he spent most of his time outside. When Fluffy was inside, he would never bother the parakeet. I find that odd now, but, it was that way. We never let Nicky out when Nipper was in the house. Well, one morning my mother left Nicky out of the cage and my brother, not knowing Nicky was out, let Nipper in the house. Nipper took a bite out of the air, like a dog goes after a fly, only this time it was Nicky. Even with 4 people in the room, we couldn't keep it from happening! Within 24 hours Nicky was dead. It was the very first pet I had been around that died.

I am a dog person. I had gone into my marriage with 2 of my own and then my mother died and I also inhereted hers. All 3 of these wonderful companions passed on some years ago. I went through a very empty pet-free couple of years to attempt to make it up to my husband, since he is not a dog (or cat) person. Getting indoor birds were my attempt at a compromise (as my husband is an outdoor birder). In addition, I wanted something that lived beyond 13 years. As long as I have the birds, I don't even want to try to have anything else. I would be afraid of repeating the Nicky scenario. I know all animals can be trained, but, I don't want to take that chance again.

Best wishes,
Deb, a.k.a. windharper

[Crazypetlady]

I hope no one minds me dredging up this old thing (I've been reading a lot of your ancient threads here). But I want to share my opinion on this topic.

I personally enjoy most animals. If it weren't for my allergy to cats I would have a cat too. I don't care for most rodents or insects and I would only ever get a primate if I hit the lottery.

Each one of my pets gives me a different kind of gratification. I'm concerned for their wellbeing and happiness too, so I always do the research and make sure I can provide everything they need, but I wouldn't have any one of my pets if I didn't get something beneficial from their presence.

I've kept reptiles because their beauty is unique and I enjoy seeing what a baby ball python will grow up to look like. I had a bearded dragon for 10 years and the pleasure I got from him was more admiration that anything else. I thought he was exotic and pretty. He died 4 months ago of natural causes.

I have a rabbit because my youngest daughter has been obsessed with rabbits since infancy. Even tho I knew the primary care of Mirri would be my responsibility, I wanted to fulfill my daughter's childhood dream of having one. Plus, I was excited about it too. I saved her from being dumped at a shelter and took her in. And today that animal is funny and provides us with comedic relief. My daughter sometimes still can't beleive she has a rabbit. Her happiness makes me happy.

Our dogs remind me every day to leave work at work and to enjoy the here and now. They love unconditionally and they make all of us laugh when they act stupid, which they're very good at. Both are rescues and one of them is 15 years old but you wouldn't know it. He's got more energy than the 5 year old aussie. He's a handful, always has been, but we will keep him until the end. Both of them.

I have had to give animals up before but only because either their quality of life or mine was hurting by having to coexist.

So the moral of my story is people are more complex than that and can't be cubbyholed into categories based on the pets they keep. Exhibit A: Me.

Btw, I enjoy classical music as well as grundge.
I'm also not poor and desperate (read that stereotype somewhere on here too).

[liz]

With 6 dogs, 5 cats, 2 amazons, 6 cockatiels and 2 lovies I have found that introducing them means they belong to me. All my animals respect each other. The dogs and cats sleep in the same area and sometime pile up on top of each other. Most of them sleep on the side of my bed and only give me enough space to sleep in. I have woke up in the morning with amazons in my bed too.

The only problem I have is 2 of my daughter's, Rachel, cats who are bird catchers. I can't trust them with the cockatiels or lovies.