Health Hazards
Did you know that cats and dogs carry bacteria in their saliva that is lethal to pet birds?
Cat saliva contains a bacteria called Pasteurella. While harmless to cats,
dogs and humans, it is
lethal for birds. The bacterium multiplies rapidly and a bird's death can occur within as little as
24 hours. Even if a cat just paws at or scratches your cockatiel, the bird can die. Infections
can develop from bacteria on the cat's paws. If a cat or dog gets close enough to
touch your bird, take the bird to an avian vet immediately so it can
receive the proper antibiotics. Explain over the phone that this is an emergency
situation
Have your cockatiel tested for this bacterium.
You should also get your bird to a vet the same day if you think it has come in contact with the
cat or dog's food, litter box or toys. Always Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap after handling a cat
or dog to prevent you from spreading the bacteria to your bird.
Don't Believe Television
Contrary to what you have seen on television, a bird is not safe when a cat or
dog is nearby. A bird should NEVER, EVER
be allowed out of its cage when a cat is roaming inside the house or a dog is
romping around in the same room. No matter how old, friendly or disinterested
in the bird the cat or dog seems to be, a cat is still a predator by nature and dogs
tend to be playful. Cats like to chase, play with, and catch things that
move. A cat's natural instinct is to hunt. Even if the cat is declawed
it can still pounce on a bird, pin it down
and crush a bird with its teeth in a matter of seconds.
When we play with a cat, we dangle toys and wiggle string
to watch the cat chase it. The cat is actually stalking something
that it thinks is a potential prey. Some breeds of dogs are hunters by instinct
as well. Others like to play with things that move or chew on household objects.
Dogs can injure your bird in the same manner as a cat. Dogs also like to
jump up into the air and catch moving objects with their mouths. A flying bird
can be snatched by a dog's open mouth, crushed and killed instantly.. The emails
that I receive from bird owners who have lost a beloved bird to a
"friendly, docile" dog or cat are truly heartbreaking. Don't take your bird out of the cage if a cat or dog is in the same
room and don't allow other pets to interact with your bird. If you love your
bird, protect him from being seriously injured and disabled for life or killed.
If You Have a
Cat or Dog
Don't ever let your bird out of the cage in a room unattended. Cats are known for their
stealth and ability to hunt very slowly and quietly. Friendly, enthusiastic
dogs like to jump up and
stand against bird cages as a form of greeting or out of curiosity to get a
better view. When you go out, don't
ever leave a cat or dog in the house with wandering privileges. If you do, you will eventually experience the tragedy of
losing your bird. Keep the cat/dog and bird in separate rooms with the doors
to the room securely closed, using a hook and eye type closure. Cats and dogs can easily push open a door that is not closed properly.
If a cat or dog knocks down the cage, your bird will start to panic, fluttering
around the cage , possibly breaking blood feathers or wings. If the door to the cage
opens, your bird may escape and may be caught by the family cat or dog. If a
window or outside door in your home is open, your bird may escape and become
lost as well. Keep the cage door locked with a Quick Link or other type
of lock. You bird's safety is
compromised even more if you have small children. Children may unknowingly let the
cat or dog out of a room, or let the bird out of the cage. Use child proof locks to help protect your bird from
other pets and small children.
<Where to Place the Cage
It's impossible to hide a birdcage from a cat. Birds are vocal animals and
their sounds will be heard by other pets in the home. Birds also leave feathers and feather dust around the
house and on you. A cat or dog will pick up a bird's scent. They may
even start licking your hands after you've just handled your bird. With a keen sense of smell and
a natural hunting
instinct, a cat or dog will track the bird down no matter where the cage is. Cages for cockatiels are usually too
heavy and too large to hang from ceilings or walls. If the cage is light enough, hang it
from the ceiling or wall with a chain or bracket. Attach
the hook to a stud in the ceiling or wall, so the cage doesn't come crashing down. Sheetrock isn't strong enough
to support a cage. You will need to use a molly bolt which can be purchased at
a hardware store. Cages on stands, should be placed
away from tables and chairs, so the cat can not get up even higher to reach your bird. A dog can knock down almost any cage that is standing
on the floor. Do not over excite dogs or allow them to run round in the same room
that your
bird's cage is in.
Frightening the Bird
Keep your cat very well fed. A hungry cat is more likely to start sniffing around for dinner.
Your cat or dog doesn't have to touch the bird to harm it. Just getting close enough to paw at or
pounce on the cage can give your bird a severe fright. Birds can get
heart attacks and strokes from a severe fright or sudden, excessive stress. A dog or cat that is constantly staring at a bird or a dog that is
constantly barking or running and romping
around in the room will frighten your bird as well. A bird that is always
frightened is under a great deal of stress. Stressed birds are more prone to
getting sick and developing behavioral problems such as screaming, biting and
feather plucking. Other pets wandering around the house at night can wake and startle
your bird, causing "night frights. During a night fright, a bird panics and starts flapping
its wings in an attempt to escape danger by flying out of its cage. Birds can seriously injure
themselves when this happens, breaking multiple blood feathers. Many birds enjoy watching a cat or dog from a
distance but they will be frightened if the animal gets too close to their cage.
Birds may even talk or sing to a cat or dog.
A cockatiel can learn to imitate the psst, psst, psst sound (the one you make
to call a cat) or the bark of a dog. They can even do it well enough to get a cat
or dog to respond to their call. However, having a cat or dog in a home can cause birds
to feel frightened, stressed, threatened and insecure.
Protect Your Bird
If you love your bird, protect it. Teach your children about the hazards of sharing a home with a cat,
dog and a bird. Teach them how to help protect the bird and how to keep all pets happy and safe. Children need to learn
how to love and respect all animals. You don't want your children to
make other pets a victim of a witch hunt. Teach you're children and other family members
to always "Ask and search" to see if the cat
or dog is inside before the bird is taken out of the cage. Check all of the cat's favorite hiding places.
When in doubt, don't let the bird out of its cage.
If the cat or dog is inside, place it in a comfortable room set up especially for
them with some favorite toys and foods. Don't take any
chances and use extreme caution. Keep a watchful eye on your cat and dog at all times.
Remember the old saying: "It's better to be safe than sorry".
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Health Hazards
Don't Believe Television
If You Have a
Cat or Dog
