Parrot And Cat???????

[just_George]

we have just got married and new home together. My husband has wanted a Dorset blue cat since his died many years ago, the problem is I already have an African grey parrot. I would really love to get him a cat but is it a good idea????

[woofgang]

errrrmmmmmm doubt it unless you have room to keep the parrot and cat entirely separated.

[Sam1960]

no

[rockyracoon]

Divegirl might be along later, she's got a menagerie that includes a parrot so she might be able to help.

[divegirl]

Hi, I have, as Rocky pointed out, a bit of a menagerie!

I have two cats that for the most part live peacefully along side Dave, my Blue fronted Ammie [and my five dogs]. The rule is to make sure that at no time they are left alone together, even when you think they get along famously I would imagine that you like me would never forgive yourself if one of them were to hurt the other. I say it like that as in my house it would most probably be the cat that came off worse!
I'd say go for it my lot all live pretty much trouble free and it it a mad thing to see when they go nose to nose on the back of the sofa!

Lisa x

[divegirl]

Oh and just to add....

This wasn't a situation I went into lightly.... There is some training to do, which mostly involved myself and a water spray! The cats did get squirted a couple of times when Dave arrived but he was a newly weaned baby and his flying skills were not the best :0/
Now they ignore each other for the most part
.

Lisa x

[rockyracoon]

Not having experience of a multi species household but wouldn't a kitten be more accepting of other animals in the house.

[divegirl]

Definitely and a perfect time to train it... that said, that's when they're at their most playful too and a parrot flying over head can be had to resist lol.

[wolf63]

Could the parrot pick up the kitten?

[divegirl]

It would be highly unlikely, a Grey is a pretty small bird. It could however attack it, hence my saying they should NEVER be left alone. People may say it can never work but my household is living proof that animals can live harmoniously, I also know a lot of other people that keep dogs and cats along side parrots problem free. You just need to show some common sense :0)

Lisa x

[joofficer]

I have an African grey (Marley) and I have 6 cats and 3 dogs and they all get along great.... would suggest you get a kitten to introduce to the parrot and train kitten not to attack mind you if the parrot nips which it probably will do cat will not go to near! my cats stick noses through cage of parrot for him to groom their fur... and they bat parrot occasionally if he gets too close to where they are sleeping but no claws out....would never leave them alone or unattended but always with supervision its just a question of patience and time