So last night I heard a squeaking outside. I looked around this morning and couldn’t find anything. Today when I got home, I heard it again, and crouched under a bush were two tiny kittens. I wouldn’t say older than 4-5 weeks. So the downstairs neighbour took one to look after while I took the other. He’s currently asleep in a little box.
These little tykes have clearly been dumped. They are dirty and flea ridden. I will get them to a vet as soon as possible.
If i was petless, there would be no question. They’re so lovely and little and cute and the male has stolen my heart.
But a little feathered yellow bird nested in my heart 3 years ago. My best mate is a yellow cockatiel. There is no question that if I cannot find a solution, the cat will be found a good home. Eppie the killer cockatiel precedes him.
However, I am have heard of people who have raised birds and cats together. I simply want to know how hard it is, how you go about it, and if anyone has done it successfully.
I am prepared to put the time and effort into raising my gang of two together, but before I commit, I want to know what I’m up for and if it is ever really one hundre percent successful.
Of course, if I can’t keep the bundle of fur, I will find him a good home
If I do keep him, he will be desexed and looked after, I promise. I will worm and deflea them both tomorrow
The simple answer is - if the cat’s in the room, the bird’s in its cage. If the bird is out of the cage, the cat is locked in another room in the house.
Well, in my experience its the minority of housecats that will even try to catch a bird on the wing, and even fewer that actually can. It seems to me a lot depends on the cat – how strong the prey drive is – and the bird – how agressive it is in defense.
Most well-fed housecats can’t be bothering trying to eat something that runs away and/or defends itself (my cats wont even chase bugs). BUT of course I would supervise them very closely if you decide to let them meet nose-to-beak as it were. The other option is 'keep ‘em separated’ as previously suggested.
It works for me because I have slow moving, large, obnoxious birds, and the cat was declawed before I ever met her (she had been destroying a small bungalow. Not scratching it up, but starting to remove carpentry). The cat is a flat-headed incarnation of Death, but does not like slow moving things that make eye contact and howl like damned souls. Also, they have pelted her with almonds and acrylic toys. Steve Bird target-poops.
The only practical advice I have is to set very clear limits about no birds on the floor and correcting the cat for even LOOKING at the bird. Never leave them alone together. I do not know if a cockatiel can be taught to huck an almond with enough force to demand respect. Cats are capable of learning what they should not attack, but they are cats and cannot be expected to ignore the primal prey drive.
It can be done but never trust the cat alone with the bird, because cats are cats and they can’t help themselves. Make sure your bird cage is cat-proofed. Frankly, I always keep my birds in a separate room from my cats.
As for the kitten, he needs to socialize with his litter mate, 5 weeks is too young to be separated. If you and your neighbor are each going to keep one then get them together for play sessions for at least a few more weeks.
Thanks for the advice all! Really appreciated. I might give it ago, Vet advice pending of course
Turns out he is a she. (I was never good at telling that difference :p) So she is off to the vet for microchipping et al Saturday. And then again down the track for spaying.
Sailboat, I dont’ know who told you cockatiels are not aggressive - i’ve seen my one attack little birds that have gone onto the side of her cage when she’s outside. She’s even aggroed me. But she’s bossy and she rocks and she rules the roost. Maybe all cockatiels apart from mine are non-agressive.
I also now suspect the kitten might be a little bit older than I thought - maybe by a week or so - she was certainly bright eyed and playful this morning. And purring like a little champion. Amazing what a warm place to sleep, a good night’s sleep, and night and morning meals with kitten formula can do to boost a little cat.
For now, the cat and bird are in the same room is when I am in the room with them, otherwise one of them is in another room. Will keep you posted
Thanks for all your advice guys. Much appreciated.
What I’ve always heard about birds and cats is never leave them alone together. The cat may now show any interest when you’re around, but suddenly become very interested in the bird when you aren’t there.
We tried keeping a goldfish by placing its bowl atop a fairly high stereo cabinet, about five feet high. Next to that there is a tall stereo speaker, and next to that a credenza. In other words, it’s a fairly sizeable grouping of furniture, and there is the CD player and several other odds and ends resting on top of the pieces.
One day, one of our cats noticed that there was something moving in that bowl, and it was really quite funny to watch. You could almost hear the wheels spinning in his brain as he tried to map out a way of reaching that fish. He walked over to the far end of the credenza, but seemed to decide there would be too many obstacles to negotiate before he could reach the swimming sushi that he longed for.
as the others have said, keep an eye on both when they’re in the same room together.
the ex has a very large green wing macaw and two cats. they all get along fine - by ignoring each other.
the youngest cat is around 8 months old and pays no attention to the bird. the older cat is about 5 and the same is true. that doesn’t mean he doesn’t watch everybody at all times. bites and saliva as previously mentioned, is fatal to a bird, but with diligence on your part, they should all get along fine.
thank you. I’m falling in love with a fluffy white/caramel bundle.
The first night I thought that the poor little thing might not make it through the night, but it’s amazing what good meals and good sleep can do. I have a very active little cat who thinks everythings a game and sits at your feet and squeaks (she don’t meow yet) until you pick her up.
Like others have said, it can be done. You’re fortunate in that the cat is young enough to be trained properly to avoid the bird, and he’s not coming from a wild food-stalking background.
Growing up I had both birds and cats, and for the most part they all got along. Did lose a few finches, though, so it pays to be careful.
