Living with a cat is as good (or bad) as living with a toddler. Take your eyes off them for exactly 3 seconds, and there’s a whole mess for you to clean up. Cats, just like humans, are extremely needy beings and constantly long for attention, physical bonding or are just plain bored waiting for you to stir up some fun! Either way, it’s not easy keeping up with their needs when you’re home. On top of this, we as a race have been working from home over the last few months. If we were to ask you pet owners if your furry friends are the top things that ruin home office video calls, we know you all would nod in unison.
One can’t help but wonder where that fine balance is between having a happy cat and a happy boss! If you’re finding your cat all over your work desk the moment you set it up, it’s time you discover some hacks to divert your feline friend. We’ve put together some simple hacks that will keep your cat content long enough until your virtual meeting is over.
Get Her Food in Order
If your little lynx is all over you, give a cursory glance to the clock. It is probably her meal time and your meeting has overrun its schedule. Avoid those awkward instances of extreme feline interference on your video calls by simply getting her fix sorted beforehand.
Just as you would get your lunch in order before you begin your work, keep your cat’s lunch at arm’s length too. Just as it’s time for her meal, place it in her everyday nook where she will find it once she’s hungry. That way, your cat is content with her food while you are left undisturbed.
Give in to Her Curiosity
Every house cat likes to set up her kingdom in her place of dwelling. It’s her territory and she’s more than glad to leave a paw print or two on your belongings. If she displays an urge to fiddle with your work space, laptop or even pop into your meeting, discouraging her or turning her away will only massage her ego the wrong way and further her curiosity. If you only bite your teeth for a couple of minutes and let her indulge in her instincts, chances are she’s going to veer off sooner than you know. Push her away, and you are doing to face her wrath! Just let her explore your brew workspace and stamp her dominance around until she gets bored, walks away and leaves you alone.
Stick to Your Routine with Her
If your cat is used to taking a walk with you in the evenings on the days you’re home, chances are she’s going to want to do the same even if you’re working from home. After all, there’s not much she knows about the concept of working from home right? Try and stick to her routine as much as you can, so you’re disturbed the least in your work hours. Your cat sleeps for 18-20 hours in a day. Any shift in her routine and she may be a restless furball, causing more trouble and chaos around the house.
That said, if you do have work commitments, get someone else at home to fill in her routine. But do not, I repeat do not break your routine with that little pixie unless you want to see her clawing at your keyboard once you’re back from the restroom.
Pamper Her with Outdoor Time
Nothing works better on cats than some fun outdoor time. If your room faces your backyard or patio, investing in a pet enclosure is a great idea. That gives your cat her own little nook outdoors to lounge in. If your cat is the type to enjoy climbing, jumping and exploring her environment, pet enclosure designs with an open mesh space is what you should go for. That way she’s in a restricted area you can monitor while also being protected from neighborhood dogs. Invest in one with an asphalt roof so it is weather insulated. Also look out for ample ventilation and a passageway for natural light to stream in. You want to make sure your cat is just as pampered outdoors as she is indoors!
Let Her Indulge in a Treat
It’s human tendency to surrender to a treat. Cats are no different. If you want to occupy her during that crucial meeting, simply give her something she loves. It could be her favorite food, a new toy or that sweater of yours she’s been wanting to rip into for a while now. Trust her to be busy with her new obsession long enough to sail through to the end of the meeting. Remember to not make this a habit and use this hack in extreme situations where you have no other alternative of calming your cat.
Get the Litter Out
Your cat is all about her essentials. If it isn’t about her food, water or comfort, it’s most likely about her litter. While teaching your cat how to use the litter box is half the battle won, the other half is ensuring it is cleaned before she cried foul. Take her litter out ever so often from her usual place of nature’s call. No cat likes a stinky box, and if she’s had a rather rough day, her litter box can fill up faster than you know. To make things easier, remember to give her litter box a glance every time you take a loo break. That way, you can empty it instantly. Place disposable paper in the box that makes cleaning fuss-free and quick.
Being a pet parent isn’t easy. However, your feline friend is going to be super pleased with you if you’re going to follow these simple hacks and make working from home a much more pleasing experience for her and for you!
