Can Cats and Birds Coexist?

Cats are natural predators to birds. Some cats either kill and eat birds or simply kill and toy with them. Whatever the case, it is clear that it can be impossible to let these two coexist. Just like their cartoon versions where cats stalk and pounce on birds based on instinct, real-life outdoor and house cats do the same. That means keeping both as pets may not be the best situation.

However, can a cat’s instincts to prey on birds be overcome? Is it possible for them to coexist peacefully? This article discusses just that.

1. Is Cat and Bird Coexisting Possible?

Cats and birds can coexist in a home environment, but you’ll need to implement specific measures to ensure that your pet bird will not get physically hurt as the pet owner. Cats have a natural instinct to pounce, capture, and play with birds, instantly putting your bird’s life in danger. It might be best to create a workaround where your pet cannot physically get to the bird at any point. 

Still, not all cats are the same. Some pet cats will simply ignore a pet bird, while others will make it their life mission to get at a bird. So, you’ll need to assess your pets’ personalities and determine whether they can coexist peacefully. You should also be on guard if ever the two interact.

2. Cat and Bird Natural Instincts

A cat in the wild’s natural instinct is to hunt, stalk, and surprise their prey, small mammals like fish, reptiles, and birds. For cats, it is fun to jump and catch things, regardless of whether they begin alive or not. Birds, of course, are an attractive choice for them. Cats see birds as things that are fun to play with or as food to eat. They don’t generally differentiate between pets and wild ones.

Birds both in captivity and the wild will fly away at the slightest noise, startle, or observation of a cat if they feel the least bit threatened. A bird may also let out a cry to alert other birds of a predator in their midst. Pet birds are not usually large enough to hurt a cat or defend themselves from attacks. However, even large birds like a macaw will instinctively fear and flee without a fight when approached by a cat.

3. How to Make Birds and Cats Coexist

Despite their natural instincts, you can do several things as a pet owner to help these two coexist:

3.1 Secure the Bird Cage

If you have a curious cat, it’s better to have a secure cage or aviary that the cat cannot get inside. Ensure that a cat cannot knock over your bird’s cage, and use cage locks or carabiners so cats cannot open the cage doors.

3.2 Keep Them in Separate Rooms

Put your birdcage in a room that your cat cannot enter. Birds can get stressed when stalked by a cat, even when it’s safe in its cage. Also, never allow your cat in the room even when the bird is not there. That is to prevent your cat’s sense of ownership of the room or any sort of territorial claim.

3.3 Introduce Them to Each Other

This should be cautiously done, but you can begin with letting both of them see each other from a distance. Eventually, you can reduce the distance when assured that both are not stressed. Some cats do not get into predator mode, making coexistence possible.

4. To Sum Up

To be a responsible pet owner, you need to train your pets to coexist with each other, especially with cats and birds. It can be a long and slow process, but the results can be worth it.

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