Can cats and parrots get along?

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

I posted this in the Pets forum, as well, but wanted to post here too because there might be more chance of a reply. Thanks!

We have 3 beloved kittycats, and we're considering getting a parrot - Mr. DTBK had them while growing up in Pakistan, and he's been longing for one. I wouldn't want to get one and have the kitties get it, though. Any thoughts?

[MonkeyFunk]

1. From what I've seen, yes, it's possible

but parrots tend to be dicks and piss off the cats. I'd worry more about the cat than the parrot.

[Deja Q]

2. How old are the cats?

Some parrots can be quite good at defending themselves, and some cats just won't care for parrot steaks either...

I've read up on parrotlets that dive-bomb cats that get too close to their territory... (unclipped, obviously :D )

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

7. Cats are 13, 4 and almost 1

[Lyric]

3. My friend Kate had a cat, a dog, and an African Grey parrot.

Grown parrots are generally large enough and intimidating enough to make any cat wary; it's the younger (or baby) parrots who might be at risk. Kate's solution was to keep all the animals separated whenever Schroeder (her parrot) was out of his cage, until he got large enough that the cat no longer even considered trying to pounce him. Charlie (the cat) attempted to lightly "bat" at Schroeder upon the occasion of their first meeting, but when Schroeder chomped her nose and whacked her with his wings, little Charlie-cat stayed safely away ever after. They all got along fine after that. :)

[Deja Q]

4. And it's always better to get a baby parrot as they are easier to acclimate

Buying an 18 month old parrotlet; she has many neuroses because of how she was kept at the pet store. :(

[Haole Girl]

5. Seems like a good way to torture cats...

though I'm sure that's not your intent.

Personally, I think it's okay if the cat grows up with the bird. But to introduce a natural enemy, as a bird, to grown cats would seem aggravating to the cats (IMHO).

I don't know the definitive answer on this though. :hi:

[Deja Q]

6. Google might not know, but

does CityNews there know? :D

[sarge43]

8. Hard to answer without knowing what kind of parrot and its resume.

A macaw or cockatoo probably wouldn't have a hizzy. A cockatiel might have a nervous breakdown. Also as other posters have implied, the bird's age and background are important considerations. A young bird would of course adapt more easily. An older bird, especially if its experiences with people and other animals weren't good, probably wouldn't handle cats well.

Parrots are highly intelligent and very much individuals as are cats. There's no one size fits all answer. Cats and parrots have gotten alone fine. They've also killed one another.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

9. Absolutely! ..... here is some picture proof here............

my cats, dog and parrot all eat, sleep and play together.












It's the gerbil that doesn't enjoy the kitties games

[Roon]

11. That is so cute.

Just had to say...

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

10. why sure, as long as the parrot does

not mind being dinner

[realisticphish]

12. yeah

honestly, if you get a large parrot like an amazon or african grey, i would be more worried about the cat. Just make sure the bird isn't out of its cage unless you have it, or it has a closed room.