Updated

A clear bird-care answer

Can I keep birds with cats or dogs?

You can keep birds in a home with cats or dogs only if the animals are safely separated. A cat or dog should never have unsupervised access to a bird, the cage, or the bird room. Friendly pets can still scare, injure, or kill a bird in seconds.

This is a household-safety decision before it is a species decision.

Cockatiel and budgie in separate safe bird care areas with a roomy rectangular cage, bowls, perches, toys, greens, and care notes.
01

What changes the choosing answer

Plan for closed doors, secure cages, supervised out time, and a rule that predator pets do not get access to the bird. Training a dog or cat to be calm is helpful, but it is not a safety barrier.

02

The cage is not enough

A cage can be knocked, climbed, stared at, or pawed through. Place it where a cat cannot sit on top and a dog cannot jump, bark, or slam into the stand.

03

Out-of-cage time needs a room plan

Before the bird comes out, cats and dogs should be behind a closed door or otherwise securely away. Do not rely on someone promising to watch both at once.

04

Stress still counts

Even without contact, stalking, barking, staring, jumping, or repeated sniffing can keep a bird frightened. Chronic fear can affect sleep, appetite, trust, and behavior.

05

Safer default

If your home cannot reliably separate pets, do not bring a bird into that setup.

Sources and further reading