Having both a cat and a bird as pets can seem like a risky combination. Cats are natural hunters with quick reflexes, while birds are often seen as prey. However, with proper precautions, cats and birds can peacefully coexist in the same home.
The Predatory Nature of Cats
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need to eat meat to survive. Their instincts and physical attributes make them excellent hunters. Cats have excellent vision, hearing and sense of smell. They can stalk prey quietly and pounce with lightning speed. Their teeth and claws are designed to swiftly kill small animals.
This predatory nature is a particular risk to birds. To a cat, a bird looks similar to their natural prey like mice, voles and chipmunks. The flapping wings and sounds of a bird can trigger a cat’s hunting drive. Given the opportunity, most cats will instinctively chase and attempt to pounce on a bird.
Bird Safety Tips if You Have a Cat
While it’s risky, you can take steps to improve bird safety if you have an existing cat but want to bring a bird into your home:
- Keep the bird cage in a room the cat cannot access. Make sure the door is securely closed at all times.
- Do not allow the bird free flight time in rooms the cat has access to.
- Have a family member hold and monitor the cat anytime the bird is let out of its cage.
- Trim the cat’s claws regularly to reduce harm if they do swipe at a bird.
- Provide plenty of distractions for your cat, like toys, cat trees and frequent play sessions.
Advice if Getting a Bird with an Existing Cat
Bringing a bird into a home with an existing cat requires even more diligence. Here are some tips to set up the situation for success:
- Choose a very large cage that allows the bird to fly horizontally, not just up and down. Place it in an elevated spot the cat cannot reach.
- Pick a sturdy cage with bar spacing too small for cats to reach in.
- House the bird in a room the cat never goes in, such as a finished basement.
- Consider covering part of the cage with a sheet when you are not home to discourage the cat.
- Provide places for the cat to climb, scratch and perch that are taller than the cage.
- Increase daily play sessions with the cat to tire them out before introducing the bird.
- Try using calming pheromone diffusers to ease stress in both the cat and bird.
- Reward calm, relaxed behavior from the cat near the bird with treats.
Precautions When the Bird is Out of the Cage
Even when following all other safety tips, there is still risk to birds anytime they are allowed out of their cage in a home with cats. Here are precautions to take during periods of free flight:
- Confine cats to another closed room before letting the bird out.
- Ensure ceiling fans are off and windows/doors are closed so the bird does not escape.
- Remove cat trees, perches and hiding spots from the room.
- Supervise the bird at all times – do not leave them unmonitored.
- Do not let the bird fly freely in areas the cat frequents like countertops.
- Begin training the bird to return to their cage on command.
- Keep a towel handy to gently throw over the bird if the cat escapes or tries to pounce.
Can Kittens and Birds be Raised Together?
It is not recommended to bring a bird into a home with a kitten or a kitten into a home with an existing bird. Both kittens and young birds are prey animals. Kittens also lack predatory finesse and will instinctively chase birds that move. Some additional tips:
- Wait until kittens are at least 1 year old before considering adding a bird to the home.
- Introduce new birds to kittens very slowly by keeping them in separate rooms at first.
- Try to acquire the bird before getting a new kitten if possible.
- Be prepared to keep birds and kittens permanently separated if needed.
- Provide kittens with plenty of other enrichment like toys, cat trees and training sessions.
Signs of Stress in Birds and Cats
Look for these signs of stress in your pets if you are trying to integrate cats and birds in the same household:
Signs of Stress in Birds
- Plucking feathers
- Fluttering or flying erratically in cage
- Making shrill warning calls
- Trembling
- Loss of appetite
- Being listless or not moving
- Becoming suddenly aggressive
Signs of Stress in Cats
- Excessive meowing or crying
- Hiding
- Aggression toward owners, other pets
- Dilated pupils while watching the bird
- Intently stalking the bird’s cage
- Swishing tail while observing the bird
- Overgrooming
If you notice either pet displaying signs of chronic stress or anxiety, they may not be compatible roommates.
When to Rehome a Bird or Cat
Despite your best efforts, sometimes cats and birds simply do not get along living in close proximity. If the situation is causing ongoing stress or puts the pets in danger of physical harm, it may be time to consider rehoming either the cat or the bird. Signs it is time to rehome include:
- The cat persistently tries to attack or stalk the bird’s cage
- The bird becomes extremely frightened, aggressive or self-destructive
- You cannot ever leave the bird out of its cage due to safety concerns
- The cat develops fixation on the bird and won’t eat, sleep or play normally
- Neither pet adjusts to the other after months of gradual training and separation
Rehoming a beloved pet is a difficult decision. However, it may be the best option to ensure both animals have a healthy living situation. Do extensive research to find a good home.
Possibilities for Keeping Birds and Cats Separated
If rehoming is not an option, but the pets cannot coexist in close proximity, there are some possibilities for keeping cats and birds separated within the same home. This requires an owner extremely diligent about keeping doors and barriers closed.
- Give the bird their own room cats are never allowed to enter.
- Use baby gates to block off rooms and ensure the cat does not dash through doors.
- Install wall mounted enclosures or catios so the bird has an outdoor escape cats cannot access.
- Construct cat tunnels, shelves and wall perches leading to approved areas away from the bird.
- Use multiple closed doors between the bird’s room and main living areas.
- Use deterrents like Ssscat near the bird’s room to keep cats away.
Even using barriers, close monitoring is still required when the bird is out of its cage.
Are Some Breeds of Cats Safer with Birds?
Certain breeds and individual cats may pose less risk of harming birds, but their predatory instincts remain. Some options to consider:
Senior Cats
Older cats tend to lose interest in hunting prey as they become less active and playful. However, they may still make an attempt to pounce on a suddenly moving object like a bird.
Overweight Cats
Obese cats are less agile and may not be able to physically catch a speedy bird. But they can still stalk and injure one.
Declawed Cats
Without claws, a cat cannot grip a bird and cause puncture wounds. But they can still pounce and potentially kill prey.
Bombay Cats
The Bombay breed tends to have a more easygoing personality than other cats. They may be calmer around birds. But their predatory instinct remains.
Ragdoll Cats
Known for being docile and gentle, Ragdolls are less likely to be highly stimulated by a pet bird. But they should still not have unsupervised access.
Siamese Cats
Siamese cats often bonds strongly with their owners and may be less tempted to chase birds. But their athleticism makes them capable hunters.
Ultimately, there is no cat breed that can be trusted alone unsupervised with pet birds. Proper training and separation techniques must be used in all cases.
Can Cats and Birds Bond?
It is extremely rare, but some individual cats and birds do become friendly. This only occurs when:
- The pets are raised together from a very young age
- The owner invests significant time and training with positive reinforcement
- The pets have calm, friendly personalities
- They are never left unsupervised together
Bonding is most likely with hand fed baby birds and kittens when the bird is first introduced to the cat’s room. But ultimately the prey drive is very strong in cats, making close bonds uncommon. Caution is always required.
The Consensus: Limited, Supervised Interactions Only
The clear consensus among veterinarians and animal experts is that cats and pet birds should only have very limited, supervised interactions in most cases. Unfettered access is unsafe due to the predatory nature of cats vs the prey status of birds. However, with proper precautions, training and separate living quarters, cats and birds can potentially coexist in the same home peacefully.
Conclusion
Having a cat and a pet bird can be challenging but is possible in some situations. The key is taking precautions like keeping the bird caged or in a separate room the cat cannot access. When the bird is out, all interactions must be supervised with the cat contained. Be alert for signs of stress in both animals. In high risk cases, rehoming one of the pets may be safest. With vigilance and patience, some cats and birds can learn to tolerate living in the same home.