Emma Jones
More and more people are working from home. But working from home with a cat can be a real challenge. We’ll give you tips and tricks for your new day-to-day job.
Corona has permanently changed the world of work. Before the global pandemic caught us all in suspense, most of us would leave home in the morning to go to the office, agency, or workshop and come back in the evening after work was done. Now more people are working from home than ever before. A trend that will certainly not disappear completely even after Corona.
For many, working from home is a big change. Brush your teeth, take a shower, get dressed up, and then get in the car or the subway? Years of routine suddenly fall away. It’s only a few meters from the bed to the desk. Some don’t make it out of their pajamas until noon.
Why can working from home with a cat become a problem?
But it’s not just for us that everything is suddenly new: everyday life is also completely different for our cats. They are used to spending part of the day away from their owners. They have developed their own routines for this time: they go for a walk through their territory – whether in the apartment or as “free roamers” outside -, take a nap here and there or watch people on the street from the window sill. But now you’re suddenly part of her everyday life again – and “disrupt” her in her habits. So that there are no problems, a new routine is needed.
How do I structure my everyday work in the home office with my cat?
Cats love routine even more than humans. In the early days of a home office, however, many tend to throw routines overboard. This is a mistake! Think about how you can structure your new working day in the most sensible way. Not only do you benefit from this, but also your animal.
Then think about where you can integrate some time for your cat. This can be a long round of games after breakfast. Or a crawl unit during the lunch break.
How can I keep my cat busy in the home office?
Are you bothered by loud noises, jumping on the desk, or lying down on the keyboard? If you lock her out, does she scratch the door or meow heartbreakingly? Working from home can then become a real challenge! Of course, working from home with a cat can also be fun if, for example, she wants to have a say in the Zoom meeting. But of course, this is not sustainable in the long run.
So that concentrated work is possible, it helps to let the cat “participate” in your work. Make her a cozy spot near your desk and make her a small bed in a box or basket. So she can be close to you and get a little cuddle from time to time – without disturbing you with your tasks.