Cat training

[marleen4]

When we first got our rescue cat she was naturally fascinated by the birds. I used to sit on the deck with the garden hose in my hand and every time she approached the aviaries or showed that special cat interest, I would turn the hose on, which would barely reach from the distance. She learnt quickly and the hose is no longer required! I suppose this is the large scale equivalent of the water mister indoors.

I should have taken pictures!!!

[Hezz]

Good on you! Cats are not welcome anywhere near my place because of the birds, but I don't think I really need worry now ....... Mac the dog just loves to chase cats! While I don't encourage him, it is almost as though he knows they are not welcome too.

[prettygreybird]

once i found my cat asleep curled up around my budgies cage so cute but did get a telling off

[mizloco]

As a child I had a cat called sooty and a budgie called sweep. One day we came home from school/work and my cat was in the bird cage, very stuck. We panicked thinking he had done the worst and then we heard a tweet from the top of my mum's massive swiss cheese plant. There was sweep sat preening watching sooty stuck in the cage.
We never did find out how it happened, but my mum thought she must have not shut the cage door properly.

[starlingqueen]

My daughter desperately wants a cat but I've said no. We had a cat before but we only had the parrots then and he got a bite from one which taught him his lesson. Plus he was very old and disabled due to a broken back he had in earlier life. Now I have buds I don't think I could trust a cat in the house. I can just see it shimmying up the side of the aviary.

[marleen4]

I think they can learn to be together by separation when the humans are out, and consistent water misting the cat when the cat looks at the bird/s. The cat will soon learn, especially when the cat is young. I think the bird will need to stay in the cage / aviary though rather than fly through the living room, otherwise the temptation may get too much, which may not be fair on the bird/s.

My cat does not go near the aviary now. She may also have learnt there is no point as the birds will fly to a safe spot. It will be good to hear other's experiences!