[theartistrain]

So, I don't have a cockatiel yet, but I've been thinking about getting one. However i do have a lot of downfalls to getting one. My main concerns are my job and my cats. Mainly my job. I work 8 hours a week and mainly 6 days a week. My schedule is different every week so one day I'll be working morning the next I could be working later. Not only that I could get called in last minute. I work at a gas station. My second concern are my cats I have a few of them and a dog but the dog I'm not to worried about. Is there anything I can do to get a cockatiel or should i wait for awhile? ied:

 

[LeahB]

Hi. I would wait. As well as your job, cats and dogs are predators; birds are prey. It would be difficult to spend enough time with both your current furry friends and a cockatiel. Some households do very well with that mix of animals, but you cannot count on it. If you end up needing to keep them separate, it would really cut into time spent with both your old friends and your new one. As well as the behavior of the cats and dog, some (many?) birds are very unhappy and stressed in the presence of even well-behaved cats and dogs.

 

[Lori_S]

Please, please, please wait to buy a cockatiel. In addition to the already mentioned issues, cockatiels are social animals (not social with other type of animals) and need quite a bit of time to spend with you - especially when they are in a new environment. They need time to bond with you.

My experience is that the welfare of cockatiels is difficult to manage when they are placed with other animal types and when there is limited time spend with them.

I am grateful that you are enquiring about this situation BEFORE getting a pet cockatiel! That is the responsible thing to do.
Enjoy your dog and cats for a while longer without the cockatiel. 😊