13 Must Know Tips for Protecting your Birds from Other Pets

Many parrots owners, love animals of all sorts, so they share their homes with other pets including dogs, cats, other birds, reptiles and fish. With some sensible precautions, all these animals can live peacefully and safely in the same home.

Here are some tips:

• Wash your hands after handling cats, dogs and reptiles. Your cats and dogs host pasteurella bacteria which are harmless to them, but can be deadly to birds. Reptiles can carry salmonella bacteria which is harmful both to humans and birds. Washing your hands with antibacterial soap after handling your pets can go a long way in preventing unexpected illnesses.
• Keep your cats and dogs well fed, hungry animals are more likely to think your bird would make a good snack. While this is a good suggestion, even a well fed animal will prey on birds.
• Keep all fish tanks and bowls covered so your parrot does not fall in and drown. Keep all reptile enclosures closed so your parrot does not fall into them.
• Always, carefully supervise cats and dogs when they are in the same room as your parrotlet’s cage.
• Do not allow your parrot to be unsupervised with other (especially larger) parrots. parrots do not seem to sense how small they are and will often challenge a much larger bird. This can result in injury or death. Please help your parrot keep all his toes and beak.
• Do not allow your parrot to perch on other birds’ cages. Even birds that tolerate each other away from their cages may become territorial and attack in an attempt to defend their cage.
• Never allow your parrot to be out of its cage when a cat, dog or ferret is in the room. These animals by nature want to eat little birds, even a well behaved pet is a predator and at any moment instinct may take over and your bird may be injured or killed before you can do anything to stop it. You may think it can not happen to you, but why take chances with the life of your parrot?.
• Locate your parrot’s cage in such a way that it can not be accessed by a cat or dog. Also ensure that it can not be knocked down by an overly excited dog or curious cat.
• Do not allow your dogs or cats to stare at your parrot as if he were being hunted. parrots are prey animals and may feel threatened and insecure when another pet stares at or guards their cage.
• Even if your cat or dog does not want to eat your parrot, simply pawing it can seriously injury your bird. parrots are tiny compared even to a small dog or cat. While the dog or cat may just be playing, your parrot will likely be seriously injured or killed.
• If your parrot is ever bitten, scratched, or grasped in the jaws of a cat or dog, even if it appears to be unharmed, take it to your avian vet IMMEDIATELY. Even if it is otherwise uninjured it will need antibiotics to prevent or fight off resulting infections. This is an EMERGENCY!
• Securely close and lock or latch all doors meant to keep your pets separated, this includes cages, kennels, doors to rooms and exterior doors.
• Prepare a special place in the house for your cat or dog to be when you are playing with your bird. Make them comfortable with a bed, toys and radio or TV. Your furry pals need not feel neglected just because you have a bird in the house.

As animal lovers, we may bring many different types of pets into our homes. We owe each and every one our love, care and protection. This also means protecting them from one another. Having a multi-pet household can be a joy and a treasure but it is also a responsibility that can not be taken lightly. Please take a few minutes to implement the necessary precautions so your pets can enjoy long and happy lives.