Unfortunately this has happened to families who keep birds with other types of pets, specifically dogs, cats or ferrets. You canīt blame the dog or cat who killed your bird - you can only blame yourself for letting it happen. Accidents do happen and thatīs why they are called accidents, but we must do everything possible to ensure the safety of every animal or bird we bring into our home.
My household consists of birds, dogs, cats & fish and I must constantly be on guard to ensure that the birds are not left unattended if a dog or cat is in the room. My larger birds are kept in the livingroom in a cage that the dogs & cats cannot knock down or get into, but I also have a door to lock up the livingroom whenever I leave the room. The smaller birds are in an aviary in the basement which is also something that the cats & dogs cannot knock over or get into, and the aviary is in a room with a door that is kept closed at all times. The cats & dogs are not even allowed into this room because these birds are very frightened of these animals.
My African Greys have a relationship with the dogs & cats. They both throw food out for the dogs - usually calling them as they do and one CAG, Caesar will meow as the cat goes by his cage. The dogs have learned that when one of the birds flies, she should immediately drop to the ground & stay there until the bird has been picked up & returned to the cage or stand. Of course, this isnīt something that the dog knows without being trained to do.
Most of the time my dogs completely ignore the birds, but if my CAG Jewel is attacking her toy & yelling at it, the dogs will race over to see what is going on. They are of course, just being curious - but if I wasnīt there to supervise, they would maybe get their nose too close & might get hit by a flapping wing. This would cause a reaction that could result in the death of the bird.
No matter how well you know your pets, you must always be aware of what MIGHT happen if you let down your guard. If you are prepared to be on guard all the time, then go ahead & have multiple pets. If you are not prepared - then do your bird a favour & do not add a dog or cat to your household.
I would be interested in hearing from people who have multiple pet households. How do you make it work? If I get enough response I will post some of your interesting ideas in another article.
Please read some of the replies and a picture I received at Replies to Birds & Other Pets.
After many years of pet bird ownership, I have decided to write e-books about the care of some of these wonderful birds.
