IndianRingNeck.com

Hey there

I was wondering if it is safe to keep rats and birds in the same house? Currently, I have two ringnecks and a sun conure along with 2 indoor cats (soon to be 3!).

They would be in the same room, if that's any help.

Thanks in advance,
Michaela

As long as you keep them separate they should be fine. I have seen an incident or two where a bird landed on the rat's cage and the rat took off a toe- but I've also seen that with birds landing on another bird's cage too. Chances of even an escaped rat making it into the parrot's cage aren't too high (though you never know).

Will rats eat birds? Yes. So don't let them out together. I'd worry more about cats with free range of the home decided to 'play' with the furry things that run in the interesting box.

I would definitely worry more about getting ferrets with parrots- or anything really. In any case, a wild rat did eat my male 'tiel that lived in an outdoor aviary and killed a budgie (same aviary, same night).