Cats are natural predators of birds. That is, in nature, wild cats, such as ocelots, lynxes, or the desert cat, hunt birds. So, hunting a bird is in your kitty's blood. But even though it's difficult, it's still possible to raise cats and birds together.

To do so, just follow some important tips. Check it out below.

If you want to raise cats and birds together, go for kittens. Especially in the case of the cat. Cats are smarter than birds, so it will be easier to teach the feline than the bird.

In turn, easier than teaching a cat, it is teaching a puppy. A puppy is learning about the world, both about going to the toilet and about eating. Thus, if you train your puppy to understand birds as “equals” (saved in due proportions), the chance of success is greater.

The same goes for other species such as hamsters, rats, chinchillas, turtles…

To do so, play with the kitten in the same space as the bird. Let the chick touch the bird, smell it, share the bed. Create bonds between them in childhood, for them to be stronger in maturity.

In addition to preventing diseases, castration prevents hormone-stimulating behaviors, such as territoriality and aggressiveness, and helps to inhibit instinctive behaviors - such as hunting behavior, even if there is a good supply of food.

In other words, to raise cats and birds together, neutering the cat is almost mandatory.

The neutered cat will not feel that attack impulse that other cats have. This impulse is instinct speaking. It's as if a gene exists in the cat's brain to prepare the kitten for maturity.

The cub goes hunting because it needs to learn to do so in maturity.

In wild cats, this is perfectly natural. They don't have a tutor who will give food, love and affection.

In the case of a domestic cat, it is unnecessary behavior. Unless you want your furry friend to attack the stuffed animals. Or, in the case we're talking about here, you little canary.

A poem by the great writer Robert Frost says, "Good walls make good neighbors." This maxim works for cats and birds in the same house. Having a cage for your bird is vital.

Remember when Sylvester tries to open Tweety Bird's cage in the Looney Tunes cartoon? The bad news is that this happens in real life. So, you need a cage that has a hard lock, preferably with a padlock, and narrow gaps.

Cages with legs (that is, that don't hang, or on furniture), give greater security, in case your cat jumps against it.

And don't doubt your cat's strength. Prefer metal cages, because plastic and wood break much more easily.

Another important point is to make it difficult for the cat to access the cage. When you're close, it's fine. When you are not going to be, try to leave the cage in a room or area of the house where the cat does not have access. Or at a height that the cat cannot reach.

Do not doubt the instincts, even if the cat is neutered.

Your cat must not feel intimidated or insecure around the bird. And neither does the bird. And neither do you.

If one of the three parties is frightened, accidents can happen. This is because the part that is scared can attack to defend itself – or to defend the other, if you are the scared one.

Did you know, for example, that parrots, toucans and cockatoos can attack in order to defend themselves?

Let's imagine the scene: the three of you are playing and the cat makes a suspicious movement; you startle and pat him. That's it: now your cat will associate the bird with aggression.

Or else, the three of you are calm, when the parrot spreads its wings and lets out a screech. The cat is startled and kicks the bird's head.

So when the three of you are hanging out, make sure the bird and the bird are relaxed, take the animals' focus off of each other.

Your cat is not an ethical and moral animal, at least not when compared to birds. You can do everything (castration, coexistence, lots of toys) and even so, an accident happens - just when the bird and the kitty are together.

Because deep down, your cat is still a cat. That is, since he was born, in his brain, there is this genetic information (hunting birds, rodents, etc.).

Therefore, do not trust your cat, as if he understood that he should not attack the bird. Even because, for him it is not wrong: he will hunt and, probably, offer the corpse to you, because this is a sign of affection in some measure (he is “helping” you in obtaining food).

Other reasons for an accident may include: the bird mistakenly pecking at some part of the cat; the bird touch something of the cat, which he shouldn't; a more “intense” affection on the part of the cat…

That way, the best you can do is always be close when the bird is out of the cage.

If you, the bird and the cat are together and the cat still attacks, maybe the cat was just bored.

Opt for sound toys, with rattles, with compartments that hide food. Another option is spring-loaded scratchers. Toys that make your cat exhausted, because if he doesn't expend enough energy, he'll get bored. And then maybe scratch the bird, just for a little fun.

In the same way that he pushes a crate off the table, he can kick your bird. So, don't give in to boredom. Stimulate him to move, spread snacks, hide toys, caress the back of the head. But don't let the cat sit still.

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