Many of us are working from home right now. And many of us have a cat keeping us company.

Cats are great! They’re adorable and entertaining. But they can also be a challenge sometimes. I know – I speak from experience. I live with a cat. A very busy, inquisitive cat.

My cat is named Gizmo. And to be honest, he doesn’t really pull his weight around the house. He’s not very productive. He doesn’t do a lot to help me get my work done. Overall, he’s not the best coworker.

He likes to be the center of attention. He sheds on everything. He’s kind of demanding. And he’s completely enamored with my laptop. He likes to paw at the screen and walk on the keys. (See evidence below.)

This can be a little disruptive. Those of you who are also dealing with small, distracting, cat-coworkers probably know what I’m talking about!

So what should we do to stay focused and productive? Author Maggie Clancy suggests that we try the following:

  • Create a space for your cat – Place a comfy pillow or a favorite blanket near the area in which you work and encourage your cat to relax there. Make sure the space is far enough from your work area that your cat can’t paw at your laptop.
  • Schedule regular play times – Take breaks during the day to play with your cat. You’ll be giving your cat the attention that he or she craves. The exercise will be good for your furry friend. And it’s beneficial to tire your cat out as much as possible!
  • Distract your cat – Give your cat some things that he or she can play with while you’re working. (You don’t want your cat to be bored. Cats get into trouble when they’re bored!) A few toys and a scratching post should do the trick.
  • Try to be flexible – As you probably know, cats tend to be a little unpredictable. So planning will only get you so far. No matter what you do, there are going to be days when your cat is grumpy and difficult. So in the end, you just have to roll with the punches. Try to be flexible and make adjustments as necessary.

Good luck with your furry companion! And try to enjoy the benefits that go along with having a cat. Gizmo is adorable and lovable, and he has amazing cuddling skills. When he lies on my lap and purrs, it relaxes me. I don’t know what I would do without him. So even though he drives me crazy sometimes, he’s still so good to have around. He’s a real comfort, even if isn’t the best coworker!

…

Clancy, M. (n.d.). Survival guide for cat parents who work at home. Cattime.com. Retrieved from: https://cattime.com/lifestyle/23295-work-at-home-survival-guide-for-cat-parents