New and need advice

[Pglenn]

Hi everyone, I'm new and need some advice. I've been researching information on Meyers Parrots and am considering adding on to my family which consists of of two dogs (13yr old Cocker Spaniel, 2yr old German Shepherd, 6yr old cat and a young Canary). From what I've been told, Meyers are a good choice for a first time parrot owner.

I have some major concerns about bringing home a bird with a young large dog and a cat. I realize that I would need to keep them separated to ensure the birds safety. In order to do that I would need to set up a separate 'bird room' which I have the space to do but the bird would need to be caged for the majority of the time with only an hour or two a day outside the cage. The bird that I'm looking at is a baby so I wouldn't want to leave it outside the cage unsupervised, even in a secure area.

Is this enough to keep him happy and socialized as long as the cage is large and he has lots of toys?

Also do any of you have dogs or cats? Can they learn to live together if not happily at least peacefully? I'd really love to do this but not if I'm putting the bird at risk.

Thanks for your help.

Pat

[Cindy215]

Pat, I share your major concerns. Some people do have dogs and cats. But you can never ever feel the bird is safe. At least imo. Accidents happen even not intentionally like the bird gets stepped on or flutters down on the other animal while it's sleeping or whatever. And the Cocker is a hunting dog, albeit a senior.

IMO one or two hours a day out and especially being isolated in another room wouldnt be good. Parrots are flock animals wired for constant companionship. Also a baby is needing to learn EVERYTHING from the beginning from it's flock whether it be human or bird. So the poor thing would be sitting there 22 or 23 hours a day alone and just waiting for somebody to be with. Not to mention as time goes on all kinds of developmental and behavioral things can happen. Psychological. Even if the bird were to be in the main family area I just wouldnt have the heart to keep him locked up all the time knowing he's craving companionship. And seeing everyone getting attention and physical contact but him.

Exercise is extremely important too. Physically and psychologically imo and ime. Flying is the best exercise imo and requires them to fledge young by learning incrementally. It takes time. Just because they have wings doesnt mean they have the skills when they are weaned. So any parrot who cant get out of their cage "enough" is so limited in all developmental ways.

I've read here some people advising it's fine they just need an hour of quality time. But I strongly disagree.

Sorry but I think it's not the best thing. Thanks for thinking of the bird's happiness and welfare first!

[Doyle'sMommy]

An hour or two a day out of cage time is not enough. My fids get a couple hours out in the morning and 3-4 hours out at night. Also if my husband is home in the afternoon they are out. Whenever we are home (before 10pm) the birds are out and we are interacting with them. I agree with Cindy, they are flock animals who would not take to kindly with being isolated in a seperate room.

That said, we have 4 birds and 3 dogs. All our dogs are inside dogs and we have never had any problems (knock on wood). Our birds are NEVER left alone with the dogs, we are always in the room. Our dogs have been trained to sit when the birds fly off their perch. We have even had our birds land on our dogs and they have continued to sit calmly. But nevertheless it makes us crazy nervous when that happens. Also our puppy is being trained to stay off the furniture, so that the birds feel safe when sitting with us on the sofa. I know some people would disagree with me but it can be done, having dogs and birds. How are your dogs activity wise? Are they pretty laid back?

I really think it is great that you are taking this so seriously and asking these questions before getting a bird. Good luck with your decision!

[Vega]

Unfortunately my fids only get 2-3 hours out of their cage each day. Being single and working full time...along with their sleep requirements...it's not ideal. I'm hoping with the summer sunlight that they'll be able to stay up longer at night, without it effecting their mood.

That being said, I have both of them in the same room. I leave cartoons on the tv while I'm gone. My neighbor across the street talks/whistles to them when the windows are open. Gypsy is in a macaw sized cage, Harvey is in Gypsy's old cage (biggest I could find with proper bar spacing). As soon as I'm done caring for the dogs the birds are brought into the living room.

[Sally]

My little Shih Tzu is a doll with Chipper. Chipper shares with her... Trudy sits and waits. They are adorable together. Each dog is diff. Some breeds are hunters and have a prey drive. You have to be careful no matter what. I am careful, they are never alone.

I am home all day so Chipper is out a lot. She loves to play in her cage too.

[stepht25]

We have 4 dogs ( a lab/coonhound mix, a beagle/jack russel mix and 2 chihuahuas) we also have 3 cats (1 completely inside cat, 1 comes and goes as he pleases and the 3rd refuses to step foot into the house). The younger cat is not allowed into the living room while the birds are out. The older cat that comes and goes as he pleases and all 4 dogs are allowed into the living room while the birds are out - but only if someone is in there with them all at the same time. It can be done - but you have to always be watching everyone!

[Bridgette Shattuck]

I also have a small dog, but my concern also was the fact that I have 4 cats and I love birds. So what did I do....I got birds big enough to stand on there own with the WHOLE family together. I have two Cockatoos. They come out every evening from about 3pm until 10pm. They all have learned to respect each other. Of course they are all supervised and usually while the birds are out the cats hide. The cats are afraid of them. My Chuawawa (don't know how to spell it, lol lol) plays with them very nicely. Just a small inside look at how multiple animals can learn to all get along.

[Bridgette Shattuck]

OOOPS, I just read you post again and saw that you have a young German Shepard. Not sure about that. I guess it would depend on the personality of your shepard. Do you know anyone with a parrot that would let you, of course under extreem control situation, see how he acts around a parrot??? Humm. How about some input from someone with large dogs and parrot Fids.

[stepht25]

I think it not only depends on the breed of the dog - but the personality of the dog. I was a little worried about our lab/coonhound mix. That's a lot of hunting/retrieving instincts with that combo. But she's a VERY laid back dog and has a very submissive attitude (hates to get into trouble). So it took 1 time of reprimanding her for going too near the birds and now if they get close to her she runs out of the room with her tail tucked. Of course - that doesn't mean I'd leave her alone with the birds out of their cages. I have a friend that actually ended up rehoming her retriever when it kept trying to go after her birds - so I think a lot of it is individual personality of the dog and not just the breed. (hope that made sense! LOL)

[Tiki]

I don't recommend you allow contact with the dogs and cat. Meyers are small parrots and wouldn't have a chance. Parrots need stimulation with their flock members (this means you) or you might want to consider a friend for the Meyers. He would HATE to be alone in a room somewhere all day. Maybe another Meyers of the same sex to avoid breeding or another Poi?