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Cage Location - I want to put my cockatiel in the main living area, but I’m not sure how safe it is.

Frogpasta

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I have a cockatiel (Gnocchi), and he is a social butterfly (as I’ve heard lots of cockatiels are).

I am currently keeping Gnocchi in my room, because...I have cats (I feel like there should be dramatic music here), but I feel as though this might not fit my Gnocchi’s big personality.

You see, he REALLY likes being around all sorts of people!! He gets sad when anyone leaves the room and he doesn’t particularly enjoy being in his cage (he does better when we talk with him and he can see us, but this is hard to do when he is in my room bc he can’t see us when we walk away and my room is far away from where we all are most of the time)
He isn’t particularly bothered by anything other than being left alone. Of course loud noises, sudden movement and the regular stuff spook him like any other bird, but other than that he is extremely chill. Especially when he is around the family or on/being held in some way by them.
To my surprise, (with my cats in a seperate room of course) I actually brought him out into our living area today, and he wasn’t bothered at all. He seemed to enjoy the ambient (and full) attention.

Additionally, although I have a big room, most of it is taken up by my bed. So most play time is spent on there...which isn’t ideal for either of us. I just feel as though it’s difficult to “wander around” and really get him to interact with his toys (so he might actually enjoy the cage more)
My room is also considerabldarker than most of the rooms in my house (dark walls, and old part of the house) even with the blinds open and light on. This concerns me as I worry he isn’t getting his Daily-Dose-of-Vitamin D™ (My living room area is extremely bright so that wouldn’t be a problem)

Lastly, I have school during the day, and he is all by himself in my room. He likes when my family members chill with him (especially when they take him out) but they can’t ALWAYS be in there.

I feel as though these are characteristics (or so I’ve read) of birds who should be in a living area of the house.

SO, my point is I feel like he isn’t getting the best experience being in my room, but I’m nervous about my cats...
Of course I would NEVER leave him unattended, and I have family members who practically never leave the space, so that wouldn’t be a problem so to speak, but it’s still dangerous y’know?
I know that a lot of people have cats and birds living in the same space, but that doesn’t means it’s a good idea. I just wanna do what’s right for Gnocchi.

Would anyone be able to share some advice on this situation?

*for reference*
I have two cats, one who just doesn’t care (this one has seen Gnocchi through glass and literally didn’t react at all. Gnocchi was fine too), and the other...well. She is lovely, but if she had the chance she would if you get my drift. I think she’s more curious than anything They are both very well behaved tho.

I also don’t wanna keep my cats in a seperate room constantly bc I don’t wanna worsen their life for the sake of another. The living space is an open area with the lounge, dining room, and kitchen all in the same space. (Gnocchi would probably go with me to my room while the kitchen is in use and we have dinner late, so he’s usually in bed before we start cooking dinner anyway) And there is no other room to seperate the bird from the cats other than mine.

also, I’m okay with having Gnocchi in my room, just not “full time”. I have a feeling his main cage would be better somewhere else though.


(sorry for the length and any spelling mistakes. I’m exhausted and I didn’t wanna miss anything)
 

painesgrey

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Would it be possible to have a second cage that you could have in the main living area while people are home to supervise? The cage in your room could be limited to "no one is able to supervise, and Gnocchi needs to be more secure" scenarios.

I have trained my cat (yes, really) to stay in a back bedroom while the birds are out. I escort her back there with treats, and she stays back there (even with the door open) for hours until she hears me putting the birds up for the day. I still make sure that she cannot enter the same room the birds are in, but I'm not keeping her locked up in a bedroom for hours and hours.
 

camelotshadow

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Cats roaming around the living room is not a safe setup. Someone cant be watching 24/7 & an accident could happen.

Its good you want to enrich your tiels life but not at the expense of his safety.
 

Mizzely

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My cat has the bedrooms and bathroom too herself during the day while my bird is out. At night when he is secure, she gets access to the rest of the house. She sleeps all day anyways
 

Frogpasta

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Would it be possible to have a second cage that you could have in the main living area while people are home to supervise? The cage in your room could be limited to "no one is able to supervise, and Gnocchi needs to be more secure" scenarios.

I have trained my cat (yes, really) to stay in a back bedroom while the birds are out. I escort her back there with treats, and she stays back there (even with the door open) for hours until she hears me putting the birds up for the day. I still make sure that she cannot enter the same room the birds are in, but I'm not keeping her locked up in a bedroom for hours and hours.
Thank you!!
This is pretty much what I was thinking about doing, so I’m glad it’s possible :)
My cats like the sunbathe outside for hours anyway, so I think this could really work out!
 

Frogpasta

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Cats roaming around the living room is not a safe setup. Someone cant be watching 24/7 & an accident could happen.

Its good you want to enrich your tiels life but not at the expense of his safety.
of course I agree with you 100%!
If I did add a cage out there, it would not be a 24/7 deal. I still want to have a safe cage where he could have some quality Gnocchi, without us around.
I also would have a sleep cage in a seperate area (prob my room or another dark room)
 

Frogpasta

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My cat has the bedrooms and bathroom too herself during the day while my bird is out. At night when he is secure, she gets access to the rest of the house. She sleeps all day anyways
My cats are the same! I wish I could sleep that much-
 

macawpower58

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You'd need to have a cage that is fairly cat safe, small wiring, sturdy, and as safe as possible.
This does not mean the cats should ever be in the room with the caged bird, it's for the 'accident' that they will at some time be together, and believe me it will happen.
A working time schedule, likes cats out during day, and evenings cat in a LOCKED bedroom and bird in the living room could work if your whole family is in for it.
Any cat that becomes interested/obsessed though, will someday figure out a way to be where they shouldn't be.
Never underestimate the determination of a cat.
 

Frogpasta

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I’ve had Gnocchi out with us for the past few days and so far it’s been great!
He looks happier and healthier ( I got him from a reputable breeder, but he obviously didn’t have the best of time there. He had been slightly plucking and under-eating, but he’s gotten out of those habits since he’s been with me :) )
The cats go out during the day and come back in at night. There were pretty much already doing this, so no one is unhappy as of Yet.
Its Gnocchi rime during the day and kitty time at night <3
 
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