5 Tips to Help You Work from Home with Cats

I’ve previously discussed the challenges that are faced by pet owners like myself while working at home with dogs, but what about our feline friends? When you work from home with cats, you will be presented with some unique challenges.

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As many of you know, I work from home full-time as a freelance writer and content creator with three dogs and two cats.

Some days, working with pets around can be challenging, especially with cats like Pippen in the mix.

My business partners at BlogPaws could tell you that Pippen regularly makes herself known during our Zoom calls. She has even been known to lick my computer screen, trigger the touch screen, and close windows.

So, how do I get any work done? What is my secret for staying productive with this crazy crew demanding my attention?

Today, I’m going to share some of my go-to tips and tricks for working from home with cats. Let’s get started…

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5 Tips to Successfully Work from Home with Cats

Offer a Little Exercise Before Work Hours

Before you settle in for the day, take some time to offer your cat an opportunity to burn off some pent-up energy.

Pull out some of your cat’s favourite toys for some interactive playtime. The key to doing this successfully is recognizing your cat’s favourite style of play.

In our house, we have two cats with two different play styles. Pippen will play fetch for hours, while Jinx needs a more interactive game with a feather teaser toy to keep her attention.

Spend some time wearing your cat out before the workday begins, and they will nap comfortably while you get your tasks done.

Create a Space for Your Cat

There is a common misconception that cats are all independent and don’t need your attention. The truth is that while your cat may want some “solo time,” most cats will also crave your love and affection.

When your cat is climbing over your laptop or keyboard, they are simply trying to get your attention.

One way that you can welcome your cat into your space without interrupting your productivity and workflow is to create a cat-friendly space in your home office.

Recently, I was sent the purr-fect addition to my home office, a desk topper from Purrniture.

With solid construction and a soft carpet surface, the desk topper provides our cats (mainly Pippen) with the perfect perch to oversee any work I do throughout the day.

Consider Incorporating Cat TV

We have learned to love the many different forms of Cat TV that we can use to keep our kitties entertained throughout the day.

A cat shelf strategically placed to offer a seat looking out the window in our living room allows our cats to enjoy some live entertainment from the squirrels and other wildlife. We paired it with a bird feeder for a little extra fun.

If it’s dark outside, we occasionally turn on free entertainment videos for cats on YouTube.

For cat parents that don’t have Internet access, for whatever reason, consider any television show that incorporates birds or other wildlife similar to what your cat would see outdoors.

Interactive Toys and Food Puzzles

There are many great food puzzles and enrichment options to keep your cat occupied while you’re trying to complete your daily work schedule.

Not only do these enrichment toys offer a distraction, but they also help to keep your cat’s mind sharp.

Some of our favourite cat-friendly enrichment options include:

• LickiMat with spreadable treats
• Treats hidden in a paper towel roll or paper bag
• Nina Ottosson food puzzle toys
• Catit sense food tree cat feeder
• Pippens’ favourite, the PetSafe Peek-A-Bird
• Build a puzzle with a muffin tin and toys to cover each treat

Your cat can have fun, be entertained, and challenge their mind while you focus on getting through your work commitments for the day.

Take Regular Breaks Together

Of course, if you are planning a full day in the office, you will need to take some breaks – and so will your kitty.

Plan your breaks to offer a little entertainment and exercise in the middle of the day.

This is the perfect opportunity to incorporate some of those fun cat-friendly games we mentioned before, burning off some pent-up energy.

It’s also your opportunity to swap out your cat’s enrichment toys or refresh them with fresh treats.

Personally, I’m bad for forgetting to take some time away from work during the day. By scheduling out this time with the pets, I am forced to take the break that I otherwise would fail to take – a win/win for everyone!

Do you work from home with cats in the house? If so, how do you keep them entertained so that you can get your work done? I’d love to hear your tips and tricks in the comments!

Feature Image Credit: Drazen_ | Canva Pro