What to do if your cat brings in a bird?

Check on the bird’s condition

The first thing you’ll want to do is check on the condition of the bird your cat brought inside. Gently pick up the bird with a towel or gloves and examine it for any visible injuries. Birds can be quite fragile, so handle it very carefully. Look to see if the bird is breathing and if its eyes are open and alert. Listen for any distressed chirping. If the bird seems alert and uninjured, you may be able to release it back outside. However, also watch for signs of internal injuries or shock that may not be immediately visible. If the bird is bleeding, has broken bones, is unconscious, or seems very lethargic, then it likely needs medical care from a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian.

Provide immediate first aid

If the bird is still alive but clearly injured, you may be able to provide some immediate first aid while you arrange for professional care. Carefully place the bird in a cardboard box lined with a soft towel. Put the box somewhere warm, quiet, and away from other pets. Limit noise and activity around the box to minimize stress. If the bird is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze pad. Do not try to set broken bones or pull out protruding objects. Give the bird a very shallow dish of water but do not attempt to feed it. With prompt professional help, basic first aid may increase its chances of survival.

Contact a wildlife rehabilitator

Seek professional wildlife rehabilitator assistance as soon as possible. Even if you can’t see any injuries, there may be internal damage. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators have the training, facilities and resources to appropriately assess the bird’s condition, treat injuries, and give supportive care. Depending on the severity of the situation, they may be able to eventually release the bird back into the wild. To find a local wildlife rehabilitator, contact wildlife agencies, animal shelters, zoos, or veterinary offices in your area. State wildlife departments often have lists of licensed rehabilitators on their websites who can accept wild animal patients.

Have the bird examined by a vet

If you’re unable to reach any wildlife rehabilitators in a reasonable timeframe, then an avian veterinarian, even just your regular vet, can also provide medical assessment and treatment for an injured bird. They are able to take x-rays, treat fractures, provide pain medication, prescribe antibiotics, give intravenous fluids, and other care under the guidance of a professional. Just make sure to call the vet clinic first so they’re prepared for an avian patient. They may recommend you transport the bird in a ventilated box with a heat source. Wildlife rehabilitators will often work collaboratively with veterinarians, so your vet may be able to direct you to one if needed for longer term convalescence or release.

Clean and disinfect the area

After getting immediate help for the bird, it’s time to clean and disinfect the area where you found it. There may be dirt, feces, blood, or feathers scattered around. Bird droppings, blood, and other bodily fluids can carry infectious diseases. Use gloves when cleaning. Pick up any solid material with a paper towel and seal it in a plastic bag to dispose of. Then wipe down the whole area with disinfecting cleaner or diluted bleach. Make sure no other pets or people touch the area until it is fully disinfected. Properly disposing of debris, quarantining the area, and cleaning hands minimizes any disease risks.

Examine your cat

Check your cat over carefully from head to tail for any signs of injury after their encounter with the bird. Look for visible wounds, limping, strange behavior, loss of appetite, or signs of lethargy. Any puncture wounds should receive prompt veterinary care due to the risk of infection. Puncture wounds often close up quickly and appear minor at first but can be quite deep with contaminants sealing in. Your vet may want to start your cat on a short course of antibiotics as a precaution and provide a booster vaccine against tetanus.

Scratches should be gently cleaned using a saline or antiseptic solution. Apply antibiotic ointment if needed. Keep the area clean while healing. Watch for redness, swelling, oozing, or spreading which may indicate infection requiring medical treatment. Look inside your cat’s mouth as well for any puncture marks or unusual swelling. A bite to the tongue or elsewhere in the mouth can quickly lead to dangerous infection. Carefully monitor your cat and do not hesitate to visit the vet if anything seems abnormal following the incident.

Prevent future incidents

The best solution for all is keeping birds and cats safely separated in the future. Here are some tips to protect both pet birds and local wildlife:

• Keep cats indoors – this protects both birds and cats
• Install bird feeders in inaccessible areas or use deterrents like plastic owls or shiny pinwheels
• Keep screens repaired and close windows and doors to prevent sneaking in and out
• Put bells and breakaway collars on outdoor cats
• Provide enrichment activities to keep indoor cats stimulated and distracted from wanting to hunt
• Trim back brush around the house that birds may hide in
• Use humane cat deterrents around the yard like citrus or cayenne scents

With some simple modifications, you can enjoy both cats and backyard birds safely. Be vigilant and act quickly if your cat manages to nab one to give the bird its best chance.

Conclusion

When cats brings home “gifts” of birds, the situation calls for a careful but quick response. Always first assess the condition of the bird and provide emergency first aid. Then get professional wildlife rehabilitation or veterinary assistance right away to give the injured bird appropriate medical treatment and supportive care. Be sure to clean and sanitize the area at home to prevent disease risks. Check over your cat thoroughly for any injuries sustained as well and monitor their health following the incident. Most importantly, find ways to prevent future incidents by keeping cats indoors and using deterrents to make the yard less inviting to birds. With some preparation and vigilance, you can keep both your cat and local birds safe and healthy.