Pet Parrots With Cats & Dogs: How to Make Them Coexist Plus Help and Safety Tips
It's a common assumption that pet parrots, cats and dogs don't mix. They assume that the instinctive predatory nature of cats places small parrots in their cross hairs.
The truth is that you can in fact raise a dog, cat and a parrot under the same roof. Yes, it requires a bit more patience, dedication and work, but there are thousands of individuals and families who own both of these wonderful pets. To learn more about how to safely raise a pet parrot, dog and cat together, keep reading.
Pet Parrots and Cats
Let me first start off by saying that it's easier to introduce a cat into a home with a pet parrot rather than doing it the other way around. When a cat is brought into a new environment, their guard is lowered as it attempts to discover everything in its surroundings. As a result, they are less aggressive and less likely to try and attack a small parrot.
Safety First!
To ensure your parrot remains safe, you should purchase a high-quality cage that's able to withstand the battering of a curious cat. Even if your cat shows no interest in the parrot, there's always a chance of them trying to play or attack the parrot when you aren't around. Providing your parrot with a high-end cage will keep them protected from the curiosity of your cat.
When you aren't home, place your parrot up in their cage. All it takes is one fast swipe from a cat's claws to injure a parrot. To prevent this from happening, place your parrot up in their cage when you aren't able to watch them.
Introducing The Two
The secret to creating a positive relationship between your cat and parrot is to gradually introduce them to one another. Perhaps you can place your parrot's cage in a room that's off limits to your cat.
In the evening, bring your parrot into the living room with your cat for half an hour or so. Pay close attention to the behavior of both animals, noting any signs of aggression. Some cats will go into the instinctual hunting mode where they view a parrot as a play toy. Other cats, however, are more docile and simply want to figure out what exactly the parrot is all about.
Pet Parrots and Dogs
According to the Human Society, nearly half of U.S. homes (47%) own at least one dog. With such a large percentage of homes being "canine-friendly," it begs the question: can parrots and dogs coexist in the same environment?
Parrots are fragile creatures, so it's important for owners to use caution when bringing a dog into a home or vise-versa.
When a dog and a parrot meet for the first time, their natural reaction could be aggression; thus, placing the health and well-being of your feathered friend in jeopardy.
Slow and Steady
Don't just open your parrot's cage and let it fly around your home with a new dog on the loose. Instead, gradually introduce your dog and parrot to one another. Taking things slow will reduce the risk of sudden aggression while protecting both your parrot and your dog.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your parrot confined to its cage for at least a full month before taking it out. During this time, your parrot and dog will see one another, and hopefully they'll realize the other animals doesn't pose a threat.
Taking Your Parrot Out
When you believe your parrot is ready for a full introduction, take it out of its cage to see how your dog reacts. Make sure your parrot is secure so there's no chance of it escaping your grasp and darting away (dogs like to chase things, FYI). Most dogs will come up to sniff the new member of the family, which is just their way of checking it out.
Assuming your dog behaves and doesn't show any signs of aggression, reward him with a treat followed by lots of petting and praise. You want to creative a positive environment by encouraging your dog to remain calm and collected in the presence of a parrot.
Don't Leave Your Dog and Parrot Unsupervised
Regardless of how well-behaved your parrot and dog acts, you should never leave them unsupervised in the same room. It only takes a single lash of aggression to cause serious injury or even death in a parrot.
To prevent this from occurring, only take your parrot out of its cage when you or another member of the family is there to closely watch over it. Know more about the essential accessories to include in your parrot's cage to keep them entertained.
If your cat and dog shows no signs of aggression, take your parrot out of its cage so they all can have a closer look at one another. If your cat begins to raise their paw, give them a quick squirt with a water bottle.
Let your parrot, dog and cat spend time together each and every night and over time they will eventually grow accustomed to each other. Until this occurs, however, you should remain cautious anytime the three animals are in the same area.