It all started with Dobby's first visit to the vet about a year ago. My vet has cats in the waiting room that are very mellow (except for one) While I was busy filling out the forms this one cat tried to get my bird. Dobby immediately flew over to the side of the cage where I was for protection and to get my attention. We pulled the cat away from the cage and there didn't seem to be any harm done.
Last winter we walked around the neighborhood and we would run into a cat but Dobby knew he was safe on my shoulder but I don't think he's ever gotten over the incident.
Since I feed the birds outside, it's gotten quite popular over here at the "feeding hole."
A cat has been showing up and trying to get the wild birds outside. I think Dobby has seen this through the window. I wish people wouldn't let their animals run stray but so many do.
Today, I heard a bird outside screeching so I stepped outside to see what the commotion was about. I saw the cat and shut the door quickly.
Dobby then took a huge chunk out of my face! He has never been a biter before and this is the second time he's seen a cat and then bit me so badly that he draws blood. He won't forget it for hours after he sees the cat. I haven't been taking him outside so he is not in danger but for some reason he blames me for the cats in the world.
I don't know if I should discuss it with my vet, either. I brought it up last time and they seemed a little too sensitive on the issue.
He knows this is bad behavior and is now really quiet. (very strange for him)
I just wish he would trust me around these cats. I wouldn't every let them in here, of course!

Awwww, poor baby! It sounds like he just gets so upset, he just bites whatever is close enough.

My neighborhood has cats roaming all over; each of which somebody thinks is "their cat". I have told them all that if my bird comes on their property and endangers their pets, I expect them to do whatever they have to do to protect them as that is exactly what I plan to do over here.

he could also be biting because he is trying to get you away from the cats to protect you. I know ot doesn't make much sense but that is the way their minds work. The only thing you can really do is try and reasure him around cats - maybe try with pictures of cats and stuffed animals and work up from there.

LOL! Yes, he gets real upset. He started charging at me like a Rhino with his mouth wide open. He really was mad at me not the cat!

I agree with both theories on the biting.

As for the vet, why not use a small travel carrier (or rodent carrier) and keep it covered while you are in the waiting area. This way Dobby can't see any cats.

thats a very good suggestion.

i think dobby is holding a grudge on you for even letting kitty get near him at the vet. so you need to make your resence known. let him know that behavior is unacceptable just like you would when he get overly excited or when he sqwauks his head off. sometimes a firm "NO BITE" may be enough to put him back into place. and then there are other tactics. so try that out, however i do advise you to speak to the vet just let them know about the sudden change in behavior. good luck and hopefully less bites..lol

Well, he's forgiven me. It took two hours of him ignoring me but he did come around. I've been wanting to get one of those cages but I'm kinda broke and I have two cages now that don't work so I'm looking into trading them out before I do anymore purchasing.
The cage I carry him in now is kind of awkward and too big to cover so I think that will be the next thing I buy for him.

You may be right about him protecting me. I didn't think about that. He is usually such a sweetie that does make sense. thanks!

LOL! I have to admit he is sooooo cute when he gets mad. I've learned to look past it and take him seriously.

The "no biting" is a great suggestion. He even knows how to say "no biting" and I do and will let him know that this is uacceptable behavior but I can also understand that this is a real fear of his now.

Carrie Anne-
Are you talking about those box ones with the handles? If so, I could probably use any box. I don't know how he would do in a closed box, though.

Captain's travel cage is just a $20 cat carrier from the local walmart. You can buy a $1 set of snap on perches made for budgie cages and they clip to the door perfectly

If you live in an area where people have lots of yard sales or garage sales you could probably track one down for about $5.

The only problem with using a regular cardboard box is your bird might try to chew it up if they are a chewer.

thanks, I'll try that

Ironically, you could use a cat carrier to travel with him. That's what I would do. Seems like he's over it for now though. We have a cat but he could care less about ZeZe.

I actaully made a perch in the door way between the solid door and the glass door. We never put our screen window in even in the summer we keep the glass between the outside and inside because of my allergies and the birds. Anyway back to the perch. I would always lock the glass storm door, and put the birds on the perch at a low enough hight the birds could interact with the cats/squirrels through the glass only. This helped Buddy get over his fear of other critters and he longed to go to his perch and call for them. He would call for the kitties and the squirrel both.

That's funny hopefully willie never escapes. I will bring the cockatoos on the cats. I greatly dislike cats.

I don't have a problem with cats if they're kept as pets but if an animal just drops by a couple of times a day to get fed, I don't consider it a pet.