I have a cat but want a bird

[ohheyimlogo]

I love birds but I have two cats who are quite hunters any tips to keep them out of contact if I ever get one?

 

[fluffypoptarts]

A completely separate room for the bird with a door that remains closed religiously. If your bird won't have a bird buddy, you'd have to commit to spending many hours in there with the bird, which would only be fair if the cats got to roam the rest of the house. It would not be fair for the bird to be left in isolation and loneliness.

Ideally, you would wait for your cats to pass away before getting a bird (or birds).

 

[Birdbabe]

Welcome! But,,no,,,no Birdie's with kitties,,it's not worth the risk..being honest.

 

[sunnysmom]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[HNLong]

We have a small zoo I'll call it, a 100lb lab, 2 kitties & 10 chickens. My wish/ goal is to get a tiel or 2...I have zero experience so I am here to learn. My 2 cats are inside/outside and have no interest in birds except the chickens- yes they take turns chasing each other. I would think there could be a way to have both with proper training.

 

[ode.to.parrots]

The only safe way, in my opinion, of having both predator and prey animals in the same household is to keep them thoroughly separated, and even then there would be risk involved. Either the cats would be limited to one or two (connected) rooms or the birds would have to be limited to one room. If you live in a house, you could have it set up so that the cats live upstairs while the birds live downstairs or visa versa. But even so, you would have to have a solid way of closing off those spaces.

I would think there could be a way to have both with proper training.

I'm sorry, but no... No, you can't. Just because an animal is intelligent enough to be "trained" does not mean that you can train instincts out of the animal.
Please read this link over (Warning - there are some graphic pictures involved). Even when two animals have become "friends," that predatory instinct can switch on at any given moment. MYTH: Parrots, dogs & cats will form a... - APR All Parrot Rescue | Facebook

 

[Cynthia & Percy]

welcome

 

[Tiel Feathers]

 

[expressmailtome]

Welcome, and enjoy the site!

 

[Cynthia & Percy]

welcome

 

[Mizzely]

Daytime, the cats in my house are sleeping in my bedroom. Birds have free range. Nighttime, birds are in separated room while cats have free roam. They never are in the same room together. Supervised or not, the cat can move much faster. Keep birds flighted in case of a slip up so they have a chance to get away. Cats have bacteria that is deadly to birds; a small scratch or bite can prove fatal. Not worth it!

I have been living with cats and birds in this way for almost 5 years now