Chihuahua and Parrot interaction

Question

how can i get my 2 chihuahuas, and the parrot i got yesterday to get along? The chi's are 8 months and 1 1/2 years and the parrot is around 6-9 years. what measures can i take to get them used to each other?

Answer 1

You can't, really - and why would you want to?

They don't need to interact.. there's no reason for them to.

My dog is inately curious about my birds (also a chi, I breed Lady Gouldians:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/11621135@N0... )

But outside of expressing mild interest in them - it's not like she wants to bond and have a relationship with them.

It's just curiosity.

They will most likely not be life long buddies.

Especially with a parrot of that age.

Maybe a very young parrot introduced at an early age to a young, docile puppy could form a friendship - you see cute pictures all the time.  But it's hard to do with established pets of varying ages.

Answer 2

A dogs instinct is to hunt. Never ever allow them together unless someone is there for every second. Even a dog/cat that ignores a bird can turn and get them. Also many times a bird will even egg the dog/cat on.

Steph

Answer 3

those two species of animals were not meant to "get along"

Birds are often prey to many species of dogs.  Even if chi's are not normally considered "hunting dogs" they are still canines and there is an instinct in them that will often cause them to chase and capture.

I had a <10 lb rat terrier (my daughter's dog) kill my quaker parrot once... only because the bird learned to open her cage while I wasn't around and after she climbed down within reach, the dog got her.  It's heartbreaking.  Don't even chance it!

Never EVER leave your dogs and bird in the same area (out of their cages) unattended. Never.