Introducing new bird to the other animals

Hello all! I will be bringing Simba home in the next few weeks, he is an African Grey, 2 years old. Where he currently lives there are big dogs and I was told they get along fine. I have three little dogs and a couple of cats. My cats are male, neutered, declawed and are strictly indoor only cats. I have been birdsitting for an umbrella cockatoo the past three years and my cats nor dogs seem to pay much attention to the 'too. However, since this was not MY bird I pretty much kept the bird and cats separate...just in case

I am just wondering if any of you have any suggestions or comments about introducing the new bird to the current animal crew. Simba will be spending much time out of cage (I have a playtop cage and also a separate stand for him in the living room). From what I have been able to find out through research and talking to others who have both birds and cats, they get along fine. I just want to know the best way to ensure neither my bird nor cats get hurt.

Thanks much for your input

Introducing birds to other animals can create some heated conversation on these forums. Rightfully so. If you do your due diligence you'll find multiple posts where peoples' cats or dogs that 'never hurt' their bird suddenly strikes out and kills them in a split second after years and years of living together.

Even if your cats or dogs seem to get along with your Grey, you need to make sure you always have your eyes on them. My dogs are allowed to be around our birds and sometimes our birds have flown to them, but I immediately pick up the bird and set them back on their cage or play stand. Our cats can see the birds, but are not allowed to be near them.

Be very careful. ANYTHING can happen.

Thanks for your reply. Even though I have been reading that cats/birds can get along, and have actually seen cute videos online of cats/birds 'playing' together, I am really leaning towards keeping them separate. It hasn't been an issue for three years keeping the umbrella away from the cats, and I am able to give equal time to all. It would not be worth the heartbreak if either were hurt.

We have a cat who seems to not care about birds at all...but I still don't trust him alone with Jackie. Cats still have instincts, and whether or not they're declawed- they can still do damage with their teeth.

Funny you should ask that question at just this moment in time! Our Beaks live in the kitchen/family room so they're at the centre of everything in the house. Neither the dog (Bull Terrier) nor any of the three cats has paid the Beaks any attention at all. Of course, all the other animals are put outdoors when the Beaks are at large because I'm not one for taking chances. Still, I'd assumed everyone was fine and basically OK with each other.

Until last night. Barney was having his constitutional fly around the kitchen (which he does screaming joyously and swooping with great energy - I love it!) He came to land on top of the cage, which is beside an internal glass door. Seamus (red-headed cat) suddenly appeared from nowhere and flattened himself against the glass door in his effort to 'acquire' Barney for himself. Poor Barn nearly had a coronary!

So, no, the cats aren't OK with the Beaks and I'll continue to be vigilant about keeping them apart. I guess you have to remember that animals will always revert to their nature when push comes to shove.

PS. Our dog, Alice, is a gentle, loving soul and has never bitten anyone in anger. She's nearly sixteen now and going blind. I still won't allow small children to hang around with her because despite her being gentle etc, she is also the most tenacious animal I have ever owned! Once she gets something between her teeth, she *will not* let it go. Not for anything! I believe it's ignoble to treat our animals as miniature human beings. They should be treated as the magnificent animals they are and every one of their reflexes and instincts needs to be acknowledged and catered to. Expecting a predator and prey pair to get along goes against nature, so I would never try it.

Haha I've read all the threads around here about introducing and all that with cats and whatnot. Well, I got a book which actually tells about how cats and birds make great companions for each other!!! Obviously, be careful because one little scratch can kill your bird, but I thought it was funny that this was in an informational book.

Also, I'm bringing my baby home this Friday and I'm nervous about introducing the cat since he's a great bug hunter and always takes interest in the birds flying by the windows. I hope my bird bites him really hard so he knows that the bird can really hurt!!

You could try introducing your dogs and cats to your new bird through scent? Like having the dogs and cats on one side of a door, and the bird on the other? Just so they pick up the scent of each other Or could have them on separate sides of a window? so they can all see each other, and figure out that they mean no harm to one another. Even if your dog got along with the last bird fine, it might be different with another bird! My dog has always been great with my Lovebirds, but as soon as i brought my Lorikeet near her she went absolutely crazy jumping all over me and trying to get to him. I'm no expert, but i just thought it might help to give you a few more ideas I hope the process goes well, and good luck with your new bird!