Can I get my cat to leave a parakeet alone?

Hi everyone. I'm new here, so I'll start with some basic info: My name's Lisa and I'm 17, and I have two pets - a black lab Zeus, and the current baby of the family, a grey and white cat named Merlin:


(That's his normal expression )

Merlin has been a housecat for his entire life, is neutered, and declawed in the front. He only goes outside with full supervision, since he believes he was a tiger in a previous life and is the neighborhood punching bag to the outdoor cats.

Merlin, although I love him, is why I find myself seeking the help of others. We got him when he was 5 weeks old at an old barn I used to ride at, and he's now 4. I desperately want to get a parakeet (had two when I was younger) but my entire family has concerns about whether or not Merlin will attempt to eat his possible newfound feathered friend. I believe we got him early enough before he learned to be a barn cat, but I know that cats have always been attracted to things that sqwak, fly, and look tasty. Merlin is no exception:
About a year ago, a bird flew into our porch door, hit the glass, and was stunned. My sister picked the bird up and put it in a shoe box to wait for it to recover. After 15 minutes, she opened the lid slightly to check on the bird and it escaped with feathers flying. Before you could blink, Merlin was on top of that bird and had it in his mouth.

My sister got the bird out unharmed, but only by grabbing Merlin's neck in both hands, shaking vigorously, and screaming "Let the * bird go!". The bird was released, and life went on.

So, my question to all you cat lovers and experts, can you modify a cat's behavior to make them leave a bird alone? We already employ the use of squirt guns in my house as deterrents, since Merlin sometimes feels that 4 am is an appropriate breakfast time.

I really want to get a parakeet, so does anyone have any experience or advice on introducing a cat to a bird?

We have a great, well-behaved cat. We also have two budgies (parakeets). Our cat always messes with our birds. When they stick their tails out of the cage, he's on them in a heartbeat. He even pulled out the tail feathers on one of them. Nothing has deterred him. In my opinion, your cat probably will not be friends with the birds. It's in their nature to be enemies with them. If you do get them, make sure you keep the cage high up and try not to leave any room beside the cage that your cat can jump up on. And when you let them out of the cage, always make sure your cat is secured in another room. It wouldn't hurt to post a sign on the door saying "Birds are out, don't let *cat's name* out." Good luck to you!

I have no experience about getting a parakeet but I will say....
Merlin sure is cute.
What a handsome boy.

Welcome to TCS.

When i was younger my father and ex-stepmother had 13 cats(yes you read that right, 13 lol) and 2 cockatiels. The birds where aloud to be out of their cage and would usualy stay on the top unless we brought them down, they had a tall cage on its on pedastel. But occasionally they would get brave and flutter to the floor. The only male we had would go up to them, now we knew he was around because we would hear "uh oh uh oh" but the first and only time he got to close he got a beak to his nose. After that he always stayed at least 2 feet from the birds lol. With any animals as long as you do an introduction slowly and keep an eye on things for awhile they should get along eventually. Our birds and cats got along well enough that some of the cats would even let the birds sit on em.

Good luck hun.

I had finches once, and came home to the cage smashed on the floor, and the babies squirming all over the ground. Luckily, my cats were so engrossed in the flying adults, they didn't notice the babies. I was able to safely catch all the birds and put them back in, but I got so scared for them I gave the birds to a friend.

I have birds and cats... and it is definitely a challenge to keep an eye on everyone. You need lots of rules... like always making sure the cage is shut at night, and never having a bird out when a cat is in the room. Ideally, the birds should have their own room, ideally a place where you are a decent portion of the day. I learned the hard way... Godiva got a to a budgie once.

IMO since he has shown preditory instinct to a bird, then you won't change him - its risky to get a bird in the house.

Ling has always been a housecat since 5 weeks old. Her mom (barn cat) was an excellant hunter. Ling has never been outside to learn to hunt, but I can guarentee if a mouse or bird got in the house, it would be dead very quickly. Ling would be a master outdoor hunter! She has the bred-in instinct very strong. Any small creatures would be fair game to her.

I'd not get a bird and risk Merlin getting it.

I have 5 masters (cats are masters, humans are slaves) one Alaskan Malamute (Sitka had to be put down couple months back .....sniff) one Cockateil (Lady died of cancer three years ago.....sniff)

Four out of five masters have no problem with the bird. Charlie (three legged cat rescue cat) pays way too much attention to the bird. We will only let her out of her cage when all animals are downstairs.

Four out of five masters have no problem with the dog. They will use him as a puching bag, cat toy and blame him for running around the house chasing him. Tigger, the oldest cat hates Kaitu and all dogs