How to Keep a Cat Off a Bird Cage

Cats and birds can live in the same household.

Having both cats and birds in the same household can sometimes prove difficult if your feline friend is a little too interested in your feathered friends that share the house. However, with right placement of the bird cage, and using a few training aids to deter your cat's behavior, you can keep your birds safe and without fear. Cats and birds are intelligent creatures that can live safely under the same roof, as long as a careful human eye keeps watch over them.

Things You'll Need

• Marbles
• Empty can with lid
• Cat treats

Instructions

1. Place the cage in an area of the house where it is not easily accessible to the cat. Keep the cage away from bookshelves, end tables, chairs, and other areas that will provide an easy point for the cat to get to the cage.

2. Fill your empty can with a handful of marbles and secure the lid tightly. Keep it within your reach at all times.

3. When you spot the cat near the bird cage, shake the can vigorously. The noise will scare the cat, causing it to stir from its spot. Shake the can and advance toward the cat until it has jumped down from the cage.

4. Offer your cat a treat after it jumps down from the cage.

5. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 as often as needed. Soon the cat will learn that going near the cage results in a scary noise, but being on the floor and not bothering the bird will earn it a treat. Continue to reinforce the positive behavior for as long as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you offer the treats to the cat after it has been on the floor for a minute or so--not immediately after shaking the can. If you offer the treats immediately after shaking the can, the cat will associate the sound of the can with a treat, when you want it to associate the action of jumping from the bird cage with a treat.

References

• Avian Web: Training Your Dog and Cat to be Around Your Pet Birds