Last updated on April 22nd, 2022 at 11:38 pm
Bringing a new parakeet into the home requires careful consideration, especially if you already have other pets. You should make sure that you know what to expect before you introduce a parakeet to a new dog, for example.
Parakeets do not get along with dogs. Many dogs, like terriers, have strong hunting instincts that take over when they see parakeets, especially if they see the parakeet flying outside the cage. That said, some dogs can be trained to leave a caged bird alone.
Why Parakeets and Dogs Don’t Get Along
Many dog breeds are inherently hunting animals, so their instinct is to catch a flying parakeet.
Jack Russel Terriers, for instance, should never be allowed in the same room as a free-flying parakeet unless it is extremely well-trained.
Some dogs are less dangerous for parakeets, but they should be supervised any time birds are out of the cage with dogs.
Risks That Dogs Pose to Birds
The most obvious risk dogs pose to birds comes from their chasing and catching instincts.
Dogs can kill pet birds by catching them with their teeth.
However, they can also hurt birds simply by licking them, as parakeets can catch serious illnesses spread through a dog’s saliva.
That’s why even a friendly dog needs to be supervised around a bird out of the cage.
Why Having a Bird Is Stressful for Dogs
Although birds are most at risk in bird-dog interactions, it’s important to remember that having a parakeet can take a toll on your dog as well.
Parakeets can produce a lot of noise, and getting a new bird can be a lot for a dog to adjust to.
You can take some steps to protect the bird and it will make it easier for the dog to adjust.
How To Keep Your Parakeet Safe From Your Dog
You can do several things to keep your parakeet safe from your dog, from how you position the cage to how you train your dog.
These steps will also limit stress for your bird and your dog.
Position the Cage Away From the Dog
One of the best things you can do for your parakeet is to give it a refuge away from the dog.
Try positioning the cage out of the dog’s reach or in a part of the house where the dog has limited access.
This will give your bird a place to escape and improve its feeling of security. It will also decrease the chance of a negative incident.
Set Up a Playpen
If you don’t want to keep your bird separate from your living area, you can also protect your bird from your dog by setting up a playpen around the cage.
That way, you will force your dog to keep a good distance away from the parakeet, but you won’t have to isolate your bird.
This AmazonBasics Foldable Metal Playpen from Amazon.com, for example, is a great option for bird safety.
Provide Distractions and Exercise
Another way to keep your parakeet safe is by making sure that your dog has plenty of stimulation.
Provide your dog with toys and playtime, and it will be less tempted to chase after or bark at your bird.
If your dog spends time running, walking, and playing regularly, it will have less energy to spend on the bird.
Reward and Train
You can also use toys as a reward system, giving your dog extra toys or treats when it behaves calmly around the bird.
Practice using commands like sit or stay, ideally teaching your dog before bringing your parakeet into the house.
Remember that training a dog takes discipline and lots of practice.
Give It Time
Remember that one of the best things you can do for your parakeet and your dog is to give them time to get to know each other.
The parakeet will be a novelty for your dog at first, which means that its initial reaction will be stronger than its daily interactions once they’re more comfortable.
Be careful, train your dog carefully, and be patient.
How Parakeets Get Along With Other Pets
Parakeets are social birds, but there are limits to which kinds of animals they will bond with.
They are naturally prey animals, so you’ll need to be careful when introducing them to any animals that might pose a risk to their safety.
Also, remember that parakeets can be noisy, which places stress on some other animals.
Cats
Although cats are natural predators of birds, there is a chance for your pet cat to get along with a pet parakeet.
This is especially true if you introduce your bird to the cat while it’s still a kitten. Just make sure that you closely supervise any time your parakeet is outside the cage.
In fact, you might want to keep your cat outside the room any time your parakeet isn’t in the cage, just to be safe.
Ferrets
Ferrets and parakeets do not get along. Ferrets naturally hunt small birds, and their instincts are strong.
They’ll likely go after your bird even when it’s in its cage, and the relationship will be stressful for both of them. They have even been known to break into bird cages.
If you have a ferret already, it’s not advised for you to also adopt a parakeet.
Rabbits
Because rabbits are herbivores, they do not pose a direct risk to parakeets. However, a free-flying parakeet may provoke a rabbit, in which case the two may fight.
Always supervise interactions between parakeets and rabbits or between parakeets and other small mammals.
This includes not only rabbits but also hamsters, guinea pigs, and other similar animals.
Other Birds
Parakeets will often get along with other birds, but remember that large birds like African grays or macaws can be dangerous.
Sometimes larger parrots are aggressive towards smaller birds.
Your best bet is to pair parakeets with other parakeets, or you can pair them with canaries, finches, or cockatiels.
Generally, parakeets are very peaceful and gentle towards other birds.