Keeping birds and cats separate

[janeko009]

Hello everyone, I registered on this forum specifically to ask this question.
Background:
My girlfriend has a cat, I have an indian ringneck parrot, Henry. I still live with my parents (with the bird), she has her own place with her cat. Short-term we've managed to go three weeks living together (with both of the animals) while I was doing an internship at a lab closer to her apartment. We've kept at least one degree of separation between the animals at all times (meaning the doors to their rooms+the birdcage). We've successfully monitored them assuring that they do not come into contact with each other while they are out. Henry hasn't come into contact with anything Fiona (the cat) eats or scratches regularly. After we close the door to the bird room, we make sure that the cat is outside by checking all the other rooms.

Now, the question is this: do you guys think that's feasible long-term? I'm deathly afraid of making a mistake and contributing to my beloved bird dying a painful death. Currently the plan is I'll be moving in with her after I finish my degree and get a job, so we still have a few months to mull over it. I don't want to make her surrender her cuddly little british shorthair to her parents but the safety of my feathered child is a priority. After all, it takes only one mistake for something to happen. That's why I wanted to know you guys' opinions, maybe someone has managed to make it work in a similar situation.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I would not risk a bird cat encounter. I'd tell her that her cat should live with her parents, otherwise Henry will get the short end of the deal. Why should your bird have to be locked up most of the time? Why can't the predator cat be locked up?
Of course, it's her apartment and you and Henry would be the newcomers and that must be considered. If her folks live close by she can visit frequently. Cats are more adaptable to home changes than birds are. Good luck.

 

[wrench13]

It will be fine. Until the first time it isn't. Too many posts on here abot how Fluffy never gave Tweety any mind, until that one day......

 

[rheashard2]

I agree. The 3, 4 wk old kittens grew up to be cats. With my CAG as dominant. That's been close to 10 yrs now. Rarely one of those cats decides to go hunting. There's no behavior predictability. Some times one side, others mutual. My CAG views her cage as an unassailable fort. It's obviously not. I don't recommend interacting between them. It's easier to prevent then try to heal injuries or death. They're kept in separate rooms. I wish I had (winning 10 figures lottery ticket prefered) a dollar for times a cat(s) were snoozing on and bird in cage. This occurs when either daughter or I am cleaning rooms with a lot of enter/leaving.

 

[Jcas]

It CAN work. But there are never any 100 percent guarantees that nothing bad will happen. I think there are a number of us on this forum who have multi- pet households. We recognize there are inherent risks in mixing predator and prey animals and do our best to minimize those risks. Being diligent is the most important thing as laziness In thought or action is what leads to accidents. Best of luck whatever you decide

 

[wrench13]

Our dog, Tinker (RIP) was scared furless by Salty and would run and hide when he was out of cage. But we babysat my daughters dog once, some designer breed, and this dog was UNRELENTING in trying to get to Salty, either when he was out or even when he was in his cage, persistently jumping up and trying to get thru the bars to get at him. Even locked in another room, the dog tried to dig its way under the door to get that bird!

 

[hiriki]

I would never tell someone that it's safe or OK to have a bird and a cat free roaming in the same room at the same time, but I will also say that any partner who asks me to rehome a pet is just an ex. Have you discussed this with your girlfriend? Is she really ok with just handing her cat off to her parents like that?

I have 3 parrots, 2 doves, and a number of foster birds in my home, along with 4 cats. It can be done, and imo your girlfriend has a responsibility to the cat that she brought into her home to keep
that cat healthy and happy for her natural lifespan. Do I suggest introducing the cat to the bird? No. Some people do that, and skate by with no issues, but any perceived benefit is outweighed by the risks. Simply make sure there's a closed door between the bird and the cat.

And for what it's worth, yes cats do have a bacteria in their mouth that is dangerous to birds, which is why a scratch or bite is so risky. But I've never once heard of a bird becoming sick from interacting with an item that came into contact with a cat. So if your bird happens to touch a cat toy or scratching post, it's not a big deal. Just make sure cages are predator proof if the cat will ever be in the same room, discourage the cat from touching the cage anyway to prevent claw nicks, and don't let them free roam at the same time.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I agree that girlfriend shouldn't have to rehome her cat but having kitty live with her folks isn't exactly rehoming if parents live nearby and girlfriend visits often. Most of all, what is girlfriend willing to do? It is her apartment.
I agree that merely having contact with items the cat contacted isn't going to hurt the bird but once the cat grabs the bird even without breaking the skin too much cat mouth bacteria gets on the bird's feathers and he will ingest it from preening.
A bird needs to be located where his human flock hangs out. In a typical apartment with a living area and one or two bedrooms this would be in the living area. I doubt girlfriend is going to want to exile kitty to a closed bedroom most of the time but that's what needs to happen if boyfriend and bird move in. Putting bird alone in a closed bedroom would be emotionally unhealthy for bird.