Other pets living with birds?

[Crazypetlady]

I don't trust either of my dogs with the birds at all. Khalo has already had the pleasure of touring the inside of Appa's mouth. And this happened WITH my supervision! I guess Appa got over his fear of birds? I wouldn't dream of mixing the dogs with the snakes or the snakes with the birds or the birds with the dogs. That's just lunacy.

The rabbit and dogs, on the other hand, they all treat eachother like a pack of dogs. I think they think Mirri is just another dog. And Miiri thinks the dogs are just big rabbits.

[Rokisha]

I just have to say this but cats, dogs, snakes, rabbits, horses, ect are not easier to care for then parrots. I may be a first time parrot owner but I have found that each species of animal displays it's intelligence in different ways. I have never owned a dog that fit into the category of dumb and happy or a cat that fit into the lazy category. I have had cats, dogs, spiders, and snakes together without a problem before. Of course I don't advise one to do so without supervision and you really have to make sure they are all comfortable with eachother, if not then don't do it. Each species does display it's intentions quite clearly and it's feelings if you pay close enough attention. I know a few others have posted this in different words already but one thing I would like to add as far as handling and such goes, with cats there is the litter box, grooming, claw trimming, making sure they have plenty of toys to tear up as well because they love to shred things. I guess it's similiar with parrots in a sense. Dogs, grooming, trimming thier nails, chew toys, ect. No animal is ever easy to care for and each takes time and patience in my opinion. Snakes are indeed beautiful but they are not easy either nor are fish despite what people may think. Snakes need the right temp, places to hide, rocks to shed on, ect and fish require the right temp with water, ph balance, clean tank, ect. I am not against having multiple pets but I am not saying one should just dump them in a pile together either lol. But species such as cats and dogs can be taught how to act around other species such as birds, snakes, fish, ect without harming them. I used to have a ball python a long time ago and he loved playing around with a friends cat and dog. They never bit each other or handled each other roughly but all were quite young when introduced. I do believe that age has alot to do with how creatures act toward other creatures.

[brfussne]

My mom has always loved every kind of animal and I think she passed that on to me. Growing up, we've pretty much had every animal possible. I just love having multiple/diverse pets. Always have, always will.

We live in a small 625 sq. ft. apartment now so we only have 2 dogs, 2 chinchillas, and a parrot. But growing up I’ve had dogs, cats, birds, mice, rats, rabbits, hamsters, a hedgehog, turtle, tortoise, snakes, lizards, newts, salamanders, a Madagascar hissing cockroach, gerbils, hermit crabs, guinea pigs, fish, etc. etc. You name it, we probably had it.

[Grey_Moon]

Well, other than Jacko I have Chakra, a leopard gecko and I might expand in the future into more reptiles (and maybe a tarantula) but I do not plan on or want any other animals, be it birds, cats, dogs or small animals. I don't because aside for the obvious of her absolutely hating any other animals and because in my mind it deprives each animal of having full companion status and getting all of their social needs met. I do not and would not ever have a prey animal and a predator in the same home---too much stress and worry for all involved.

If for example you have a bird and a dog in the home, you forever have to watch them and make sure the bird stays on the stands where you put it and the dog stays away. I like having my grey be able to fly over and see me, an action that would test the best of dogs. In the interest of full freedom and safety for the parrot, and to relax the stress and worry on us both---the dog would have to be shut away in another room, depriving it of its right to be with me and be free.
When the dog is out the reverse occurs, a shame I think for two animals meant to be constantly with a pack/flock. I like a sort of involved, holistic, easy and natural lifestyle with my animals.

Michael---I too am an animal person, I love all of them. But I respond to and bond best with birds, so I chose them in my life over dogs and cats. Also, I did not think that either of them would be adequately served by my limitations or inclinations (as I have a disability and am naturally wary which I think would only serve to create an underexercised or overly anxious, wary and protective dog, and am environmentally sensitive thus cat hair and the smell of litterboxes make me have allergy symptoms). I also think to qualify bird people as a certain type of person doesn't work as their are certain types of person---I'm a grey person, I could never mesh with an amazon or a macaw though---due to those both being vastly different from greys. I would either be bullied or feel intimidated or stressed, I like the sensitive, respectful sort of hands-off-ness of the greys.