2006-06-21 08:20:20 · 14 answers · asked by Karis M 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
I have a Macaw and a cat ... seems to be more dangerous for the cat than the bird :-)
In reality though, there are some considerations. Is the cat an inside cat or an inside/outside cat? The cat I have around our birds has never been anything but an inside cat. Once a cat has been in the outside world their instincts tend to kick in more and they also do the things that cats do to "learn to hunt".
It is best if the bird is there first and the cat is brought in as a kitten but in your case that would not be possible.
A Macaw is a big rowdy bird and can generally hold thie own against a cat even if something bad happened. As I said I would be as worried about the cat as I would the bird. Just watch it all very closely.
Another thing .. are you SURE you know what you are getting into with having a Macaw? Be really really sure because they are very powerful and VERY demanding and if they are not cared for correctly they can be a real nightmare. Also be well aware that a Macaw will live as long as you do so this is a lifelong commitment because once it bonds with you it will forever be hurt were you to choose to get rid of it.
2006-06-21 08:31:54 · answer #1 · answered by sam21462 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the cat and Macaw are introduced properly and with respect to both, the cat will soon learn to have repect for the bird. Macaws are large and powerful birds with BOOMING voices. Your Macaw will probably learn to scream at the cat when/if it feels threatened.
Always keep in mind that a scratch from a cat can cause serious injury to a bird so please be very careful.
I have a Banty Rooster (just a little guy) who gets along just fine with my cat and my Black Lab/ Great Dane X. It took a couple of weeks of gentle introduction but we are a happy family now. The cat and Rooster actually sleep side by side on the couch and the Rooster plays with the dog out in the dog-pen.
Anything is possible with patience and understanding.
2006-06-22 12:11:45 · answer #2 · answered by twistedkitty15 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do lots and lots of research before you buy a macaw. They are large, noisy, messy birds that live for a very long time. Many end up in zoos or dying.
The cat would be in more danger than the macaw. I have three cats, 2 large dogs and a macaw. The bird can definately hold his own against all of our other pets.
2006-06-24 14:16:34 · answer #3 · answered by 2bizy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have two parrots and three cats, and the cats have a nice healthy fear of the birds. It may sound mean, but if you let the parrot nip the cat then the cat will understand that the parrot is not a toy. Parrots are a bit dippy and will wander up to cats with no clue they have claws, and a cat just batting a parrot with its claws can do horrific damage. So yes, a parrot (especially a huge one like a macaw) would be fine with a cat, just so long as they respect one another and you don't leave them alone together. Honestly the parrot could probably do more damage to the cat if it was pissed off.
2006-06-22 01:28:43 · answer #4 · answered by indygocean 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Macaw bites hurt like crap. If the cat gets feisty, the macaw has two options: bite the crap out of kitty prompting a safe escape, or better, simply fly out of harms way, maybe pooping a little on kitty as it's flying away. It's a high probability that kitty and bird will be fine together, seeing as those birds get pretty large and are very very intelligent; cats aren't so lucky in the reasoning department.
2006-06-21 16:56:05 · answer #5 · answered by eekscarykat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on the personality of your cat. Even the breed could come into play. For example, if you were to get a Macaw and have a Siamese cat, that wouldn't work at all.
2006-06-21 15:46:26 · answer #6 · answered by softballkat7 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes You Could Buy a Macaw...
But keep in mind that if the Cat gets to the bird before it is fully grown the bird can get killed...... (macaws are not cheap.... especially hand fed ones)
But when the bird is fully grown the power in its beak can easily break your finger or a cats Neck........
I have had extensive experience with Macaws in Hawaii and have seen them terrify and even kill cats....
and I have seen cats kill young Macaws.....
2006-06-21 15:57:42 · answer #7 · answered by JAMES E. F 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could but how long do you want that Macaw? Cats are predators & will figure out how to tip over the cage unless you hang it from the ceiling well away from where the cat can get to it. You'd be better off getting another cat.
2006-06-21 15:25:30 · answer #8 · answered by Belle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It'd probably be fine, although one or the other may be afraid of the other animal. We had a cat, dog and bird and all three were fine together. The cat sometimes liked to watch the bird, but that was the extent of it. But, it was only a lovebird, not some big and loud bird.
2006-06-21 15:28:24 · answer #9 · answered by Christina 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listen to sam21462 !!!!! Know what your getting into before you get a macaw.
2006-06-21 16:01:48 · answer #10 · answered by tw 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋