Cats Living with Pocket Pets, Birds, Fish and Reptiles

Digg

Del.icio.us

Stumble

Cats Living with Pocket Pets, Birds, Fish and Reptiles

By: Dr. Nicholas Dodman

See Larger Image

A lot of people ask, if I get another pet will it get along with my cat? The corollary to this question, if I get a cat will it get along with my existing pets, is also of interest to some folk. There is no simple answer to these two questions, but there are some facts to consider that might help forecast the results of such interspecies interactions:

The species of the housemate you intend for your cat (or proposed cat)

The temperaments of the individuals to be mixed

The early and late-life experiences of the individuals to be mixed

Which species is incumbent

Our own ability to monitor and manage the situation

The environmental setup

While there can be some very harmonious marriages of species, sometimes the result of the mix can be damaging – or even lethal – to one or both animals.

Cats and Pocket Pets

Mice, rats, and other small varmints should only be kept in a home with cats if you can guarantee to provide for their welfare. However interested and benevolent your cat may appear to be toward the rodent or rabbit, don't believe it. Cats tell wicked lies about such things and just can't help themselves. Nature has programmed cats to chase after and pounce on small animals that run rapidly. If you do want to have mice or rats in the same house as a cat you have to make sure that:

The bars of the cage are close enough together to prevent Houdini moves by the little ones

The cage is not constructed of anything the creatures can chew through

The cage cannot be knocked down and over by the agile cat, so that the door springs open and frees the inmates

That, if you allow your little buddies out for walk-about, you make sure your cats are securely tucked away in another room (and don't leave the little critters on their own – not even for a minute).

It is said that rats over 500 grams weight can take care of themselves when it comes to cats, but I wouldn't trust it.

I have rats that grew up with cats. The rats love the cats (of course), and run to see them, even throw food out of their cage for the cats. The cats show great interest in the rats, too, but their interest is reminiscent of the Big Bad Wolf's interest in Little Red Riding Hood. One false move and the rats would be gone.

Cats, Birds, and Fish

Pretty much everything I have said about pocket pets applies to birds and fish, too. The birdcage or fish tank should be firmly secured, and small havens should be well out of harms way. Fish and cats are not too bad a combination as long as you (literally) keep a lid on things - but cats and birds are a more tentative mix.

The problem is that while fish usually remain untroubled by the periodic, riveted attention they receive from the cats, birds are not immune to their predatory onlookers stares and can be really quite troubled. Also, it's a little easier for a cat to tip over a birdcage than to heave over a fish tank. Larger birds, like Macaws, may not be so intimidated by cats, and may even give cats some reasons for concern, but small birds, like parakeets, are definitely at risk of intimidation, and even injury or death. And they usually know it. Not a very nice predicament for the caged ones and one to be avoided at all costs.

Cats and Snakes, Reptiles, and Chelonians

There is no possibility of social harmony between cats and the above species. Reptiles should be housed alone and cats should be protected from them. Larger constrictor snakes can easily kill cats. Reptiles, like iguanas, have sharp teeth and can be very aggressive. Tortoises can look after themselves in ways for which they are famous, but why allow them to be hassled by a probing cat who takes perverse pleasure in seeing the chelonian's head go shooting back under the shell.

Printable Version

Digg

Del.icio.us

Stumble

Share this Article with a Friend Email To:

Have a Pet Question?

Send Your Pet Question to Dr. Jon
and His Staff of Veterinarians

Dr. Jon's Newsletter

Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...

Search Over 15,000 articles

1 How Many Cats Are Too Many?
To the cat lover there may be no such thing as too many cats, but to some cats the old adage "the more the merrier" just doesn't ring true. Learn tips on how how many are too many.
Read More
2 Cats Living with Dogs
A lot of people ask, if I get another pet will it get on with my cat? There is no simple answer to this question, but there are some facts to consider that might help forecast the results of such interspecies...
Read More
3 Cats Home Alone
Indoor life can be tedious for some cats; they lack the all-important aspects of daily life in the wild, including the freedom to hunt, mark, protect and defend, and to interact with others of the same...
Read More
4 Cats Living with Other Pets
A lot of people ask, if I get another pet will he get along with my cat? There is no simple answer, but there are some facts to consider.
Read More

Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

Dogs & Puppies

Dog Breeds

labrador retriever, golden retriever, yorkshire terriers, german shepherds, beagle, boxers

Dog Medication

dog allergy medication, dog pain medication, dog anxiety medication, dog flea medication

Dog Products

dog bowls, dog crates, dog toys, dog beds, dog ramps, dog food storage, dog tags

Dog Symptoms

dog vomiting, dog limping, dog diarrhea, dog bad breath, dog coughing, dog seizures

Dog Health

dog cancer, dog diabetes, dog epilepsy, dog hip dysplasia, dog health, sick dog

Dog Care

dog vaccination, dog microchipping, dog grooming, dog neutering, dog spaying, dogs mating

Dog Training

dog aggression, dog barking, dog chewing, dog behavior, dog jumping, dog whisperer

Dog Pictures

puppy pictures, funny dogs, cute dogs, dog breeds, sleeping dogs, silly dogs, small dogs

Cats

Cat Breeds

persian, siamese cats, devon rex, ragdoll cats, sphynx, maine coon cat

Cat Medication

cat flea medication, cat heartworm control, cat tick medications

Cat Products

cat litter box, cat food, cat bed, cat flea collar, cat carrier, cat urine odor

Cat Symptoms

cat vomiting, cat limping, cat diarrhea, cat bad breath, cat coughing

Cat Health

cat health, cat liver cancer, cat diabetes, cat scratch fever, cat aids, sick cat

Cat Care

cat vaccination, cat grooming, cat microchipping, cat neutering, cat spaying

Cat Behavior

cat urine marking, cat furniture scratching, cat litterbox training, cat toilet training, cat fears

Cat Pictures

cute cats, funny cats, playful cats, fat cats, jumping cats, lazy cats, sleeping cats, cute kittens

1 Cats Home Alone
Indoor life can be tedious for some cats; they lack the all-important aspects of daily life in the wild, including the freedom to hunt, mark, protect and defend, and to interact with others of the same...
Read More
2 Cats Living with Dogs
A lot of people ask, if I get another pet will it get on with my cat? There is no simple answer to this question, but there are some facts to consider that might help forecast the results of such interspecies...
Read More
3 Cats Living with Other Pets
A lot of people ask, if I get another pet will he get along with my cat? There is no simple answer, but there are some facts to consider.
Read More
4 How Many Cats Are Too Many?
To the cat lover there may be no such thing as too many cats, but to some cats the old adage "the more the merrier" just doesn't ring true. Learn tips on how how many are too many.
Read More

Cats Living with Pocket Pets, Birds, Fish and Reptiles

Cats Living with Pocket Pets, Birds, Fish and Reptiles

Related Articles

Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles