Working From Home With a Cat: How to make it work

Working from home with a cat can be an enjoyable experience for both of you

 Working from home has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. It allows employees to avoid wasting time commuting, save money on gas and child care, and enjoy a more relaxed dress code. Also, it allows you to spend more time with your cat if you happen to be working from home with a cat. 

But if you’re working from home with a cat, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Working from home can be a great experience, but it can also be a challenge. One of the challenges is dealing with distractions. And one potential distraction is a cat.

If you are working from home with a cat, here are some tips for making it work.

Pros: Benefits of having a cat while working from home

Cats offer companionship, emotional support, and stress relief for their humans. They can help keep you company while you work from home, and they can provide much-needed distraction and comic relief during times when you focus a lot on your work and workload. Cats also offer physical health benefits, like purring, which can help lower your blood pressure and promote healing.

Cats can make excellent companions, particularly for those who work from home. Having a cat around can help to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation that can sometimes accompany working from home.

In addition to providing companionship, cats can also be more of a source of motivation. Seeing a cat curled up in their sunny spot or playing with a toy can remind us that there is more to life than work. Caring for a cat also gives us a sense of responsibility and routine that can be helpful in maintaining productivity levels.

If you are bored working from home, a cat may help you counter that feeling. Taking care of your cat can also be a good excuse to work from home

A cat loves what is not its own. Working from home with a cat can be challenging and beneficial
A cat loves what is not its own. Working from home with a cat can be challenging and beneficial

Cons: challenges of having a cat while working from home

When you work from home, you have the luxury of setting your own hours and working in your pajamas if you want. But if you have a cat, there are a few challenges that come along with it.

Luckily, cats like to sleep a lot. And some cats are quite shy. But if you have a social cat that tends to be awake for many hours during the day, you may be in for some challenges when working from home with your cat.

Your cat may try to sit on your keyboard or lay down right next to your computer screen. And if you have an important conference call, you may need to accept to have a meowing companion joining your online meetings from time to time. 

Another challenge is that cats can be very needy creatures. They may demand your attention when you’re trying to work or decide that they need to be fed at the most inconvenient times.

Lastly, having a clean and quiet workspace is important for focus and concentration, but it can be difficult to achieve with a cat around. 

If you have plants in your home office, be sure to check if they are poisonous to your cat. You can choose fake plants over real plants if you want to avoid any risks of your cat eating your plants. Safety is really important for both you and your cat when working from home.

Tips: how to succeed with working from home with a cat

If you love being with your cat then working from home with a cat can be a really great experience. For both you and your cat. Here are some tips for making it work for you and your feline friend.

One of the main challenges of working from home is distractions. And when you add a cat into the mix, it can be even harder to stay focused. But there are a few things you can do to help make sure both you and your cat are happy and healthy while you work from home together.

Set up a dedicated workspace for yourself, and make sure your cat has its own little space too. This will help to keep things separate and avoid distractions. This will also help to train your cat that you are working and not available to play when you are in this space. Although it is tempting to pet your cat or play with it, it will only reinforce its behavior thus not making it used to you being unavailable for petting and playing. 

Make sure to schedule in plenty of breaks to play with your cat or give them attention. If they feel neglected, they may start acting out (scratching furniture, meowing excessively, etc.) which will only make it harder for you to focus on work. Keep your cat in a separate room from you while you work. If you have a very vocal cat, this is probably the best option. You can also put them in a room where they can still see you but cannot bother you.

Keep your work area clean and tidy, so your cat doesn’t see it as a place to make a mess. This means regular cleaning and decluttering, as well as keeping food and drink away from your desk. Also, keep the cat’s food and water out of your workspace. It can make quite a mess and smell pretty bad and thus not making up for a workspace for focus and productivity. 

If your cat only wants to be near you, you can also make that work. Create a comfortable space for your cat to hang out in while you’re working. This might mean setting up a makeshift bed near your desk, or just making sure there are plenty of toys and scratching posts around.

Also, try to stick to a regular routine as much as possible. If your cat knows when it’s time for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they’ll be less likely to bother you during work hours begging for food or attention.

Need a paw? Many cats love to be close to their owners all the time
Need a paw? Many cats love to be close to their owners all the time

So, should you work from home with a cat or not?

There are pros and cons to having a cat while working from home. Some people find that their feline friend helps them focus and be more productive, while others find that the cat is a distraction.

If you’re considering working from home with a cat, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure your cat is comfortable with being around people for long periods of time. Secondly, consider whether or not you have enough space for both you and your cat to work comfortably. Lastly, think about how your work schedule will mesh with your cat’s natural sleep/wake cycle.

Overall, working from home with a cat can be a great experience if you take the time to prepare ahead of time.

Overall, working from home with a cat can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding. If you are considering working from home with a cat, just be prepared to make some adjustments to your routine and your workspace.

But if you are willing to put in the effort, you may find that having a furry friend by your side makes working from home a lot more enjoyable. 

And speaking of which, here are som tips for making working from home more fun.

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My name is Frederik
I am a passionate marketeer who loves the freedom that comes with working from home whenever I choose to do so.
I love getting nerdy with every single detail about making everything related to my home just a tiny bit better.
That is what motivates me to write about home stuff on this blog.