It has been years since I was last on here. I had four parakeets at one point, but my mom had me get rid of them when we got our cat. (they went to a good home, no abuse!). It was because our house just wouldn't work with all the people and animals in it (that and I am pretty sure my mom never saw what I saw in the birds).

Now I am in the process of moving in with my boyfriend, where pets are welcomed with open arms (his landlord is amazing). He has a cat, I have two cats now, and a dog.

Here's my problem: I want to get another parakeet so bad! I miss their quirky little personalities!! I am not going to rush into this at all, but I want another one. My boyfriend is open to pets, so he would be just as careful in the pet safety as I would be. I just want feedback on people with multiple cats that have birds too.

My cat, CJ and his cat Max are probably the ones that would be problematic. Both are kind of aggressive cats (although CJ being 3 is usually only playfully aggressive or when he is provoked). They like to get into things, and CJ is a mouser by nature. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if left alone and available access my cat would try and kill the bird, I am not asking if I can change cat instinct, because I know better than that. This move will be stressful for the cats and dog so I know at first it will all be strange, and I wouldn't get a bird right away. The one cat I left out of the story, Salem, is a relatively peaceful kitty, but I bet if he saw a bird hopping around a cage even he would be tempted to chase it.

I know that I would NOT let the bird out with the cats in the room. That is a given. I also know that I would probably have to make sure my dog is not around as well. He is a boxer and is so playful and hyperactive that he would probably think it was a cool toy to chase.

Anyways now that the story of my life has been revealed, I am looking for personal stories. I want a parakeet, I remember the basics to parakeet care (and would certainly brush up on it again), and I do plan to never leave the cats alone with an available parakeet.

I was wondering how stressful it would be for the bird to even know there are cats in the house. Will it stress the bird out moving from room to room? I was thinking of getting a thing to hang the cage from so when my boyfriend or I happen to be home we can let the parakeet be around us (since they are so social) and then at night and/or when we are out during the day move the cage into the bedroom and shut the door so the cats can't get to it. (the dog would be in a crate for this part so he is no worry at all here). I just don't want to get a bird and make him/her miserable! My wants don't come before the happiness of a future pet.

Thanks for any advice!

hi ...

i know this is not the approval you would look for but id say love what you have and just leave well enough alone instead of inviting some troubles...

My cat would definitely eat/catch my parakeets if he had the opportunity.

As long as you don't let the cat stalk, stare or otherwise terrorize them they should be alright.

My older keet gives my cat the "I'm telling mom on you tirade if he looks at him too long"

Of course I never let my birds out in the presence of my cat, their cage is also on a shelf with no launching points for the cat. & my kitty never has unsupervised access to the room the birds are in.

If someone did get loose my first priority would be getting the cat out of the area.

may i ask a question please...do you ever leave the room for any length of time??? also why take that chance??

I never let the cat in there unsupervised.

Even with supervision there are rules, meaning if Leo wants to see me fine if he's trying to harass the bird.

I'm pretty Skylar(one of my keets) know
s what/who Leo or kitty cat refers to.

The lil birdies some confident in my ability to protect them from the cat.

well you mentioned you have a couple of problematic cats...if you yourself didnt have any doubts as to your abilities to keep a bird/birds safe...it is my opinion you would of never asked for input...that doubt...says there is good reason once again to not...take a chance...birds require a lot of companionship unlike a cat who is rather independent ...anyway...

you asked for input...if you know the extreme danger of even the tinest prick from a cat which you would never find on a bird...meaning death...and still need to ask about this...then i dont know what else to tell you. ...except this...nothing is ever out of reach of a cat when it makes up its mind it wants something.

your mom...was absolutely correct with her decision.

I disagree with Illusive Fantasy. I have a cat who practically lives in my room and a budgie who actually does live in my room and I've managed to keep them apart just fine. You just need to make sure your bird is in a very large, sturdy cage that your cats cannot knock over no matter how hard they try. I have the following cage and highly recommend it.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5059+10346+23417&pcatid=23417

My cat was very interested in trying to get at my birds at first, but after awhile she lost interest and only even looks over at the cage if Emmit (my bird) makes a lot of noise (e.g. flaps his wings). And I just make sure my cat is out of my bedroom whenever I let Emmit out of his cage. So just make sure you have a cage large and sturdy enough to withstand even the most precocious cats and you should be fine. If you're especially worried about it, just put the bird cage in a room which you can close the door to whenever you leave the house.

Hi Stephen!

Hi Cetan! Long time no talk!