Your first reaction is that it sounds good. “I work from home and I’m with my dog or my cat all the time?!?!” And a lot East kind of big. No more running home at lunchtime to go to the bathroom. Your video conferences have surprise furry cameos. Your guilt for leaving them behind every morning is gone.
But then reality arrives like an unexpected furball. It is difficult to type with a cat on the keyboard. Video meetings get longer when everyone shows off their pets. And if you felt guilty for leaving them behind while you went to work, it’s somehow exponentially worse when they just… stare at you all day while you work.
From your pet’s perspective, the situation is confusing. “Why don’t you throw the ball?” It’s right there! Are you home! We go for a walk when you’re home! What is that rectangle on your lap? And why does it sound so badPets who are used to regularly going to the office or on other daily excursions might now be crazier than before. And they have no way of understanding why their world is any different.
So, while there are some benefits for pets and people who are much closer together, it’s not just cuddles and tail flicks. Here’s how to make the situation a little more tenable for everyone involved.
Prepare your environment. If you can’t make your regular trips for groceries and supplies, be sure to consider your pet when planning ahead. Stock up on food and treats (and maybe consider an occasional extra-special treat, just to mix it up). Make sure all pet medications are in stock. Consider buying extra kitty litter and consider keeping urine pads on hand, even if you don’t have an incontinent puppy or dog. You never know when or if you will be banned from going out, and for some pets, when they have to go out, they have to go. Also take a look at your stock of dog and/or cat toys. Pets need variety as much as humans do, so keep a few surprises on hand for longer or dreary days.
Go for a walk. Batches walks. Remember, we may be in quarantine, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go out (in most cases). But even outdoors, you need to take safety precautions. Maintain recommended social distancing. Avoid crowded places. Make sure the park is actually open. Try to time your walks or jogs when other people and pets will be scarce. Many of these tips apply to people who live in less crowded areas, so if you live in a dense urban environment, you may need to be a little more careful.
Getting outside is where your pet can be of great benefit. It’s easy to get lost in your laptop for eight hours a day when working from home. But someone standing there with a leash in their mouth is a great reminder that you both need a steady dose of fresh air.
Stimulate their mind. For many pets, mental stimulation is just as important as physical exertion. That border collie who just wants to chase the ball until it collapses? Their minds race as fast as their feet. And let’s face it; if you’re trying to work, you can’t throw frisbee 4 hours a day. So providing mental stimulation is a win-win. It saves you time and occupies theirs.
How do you stimulate their spirit? Glad you asked! Here are some ideas:
- Food puzzles can be a great way to start the day. Most dogs and cats will do almost anything for a treat, so if you can offer them a way to spend some time working their brains while you check your email, everyone wins. And the options are endless, ranging from a simple peanut butter-filled Kong to more elaborate interactive toys.
- Work on the training during your downtime. Even old dogs can learn new tricks and behaviors. You spend so much time together; why not finally perfect that flip command or work on keeping the cat off the counter once and for all? Pets love the attention that comes with training, even if it involves training behaviors they seem to enjoy. And it’s fine for you to step away from your screen and enjoy some flesh-and-blood and furry interaction.
- Remember that physical and mental effort are not mutually exclusive. on your walks, let your dog (or cat) follow his nose and explore the great outdoors. Taking a new route on walks can be a sensory blast for a sniffling muzzle. For some animals, even straying a few feet can open up new worlds. Be patient and give them more time than usual to knock over each leaf or carefully examine each fire hydrant. This is all information for their brain.
Don’t forget your cats. We’ve made sure to include cats in every one of our ideas, but we can’t stress this enough: cats aren’t as indifferent to your attention as they might seem. For every cat that’s a tenacious keyboard walker, there’s one that sits across the room silently judging, and they need the same consideration, stimulation, and exercise. . Take your cat for a walk, give it a new box to sit in, make sure you take regular breaks between work and cuddling. They may not seem confused by your sudden and constant presence, but they are just as confused by your laptop being in their favorite midday nap spot as a more demonstrative dog might be.
Remember that pets relieve your stress, and you relieve theirs. Just being around a pet has been proven to lower blood pressure in certain situations. Dogs and cats seem to have a positive effect on anxiety, depression, and overall health, but the reverse is also true. Anyone who has had a pet with separation anxiety can see how just your presence can ease their stress. Now imagine that the human who makes you happy is home all day but also ignores you for much of that time. That’s not to say anyone can or should spend all their time cuddling with animals instead of working (or right?), but don’t forget to consider their feelings. . If you’re constantly suppressing the urge to take breaks to fetch, consider that they don’t even have work as a distraction. You are their distraction.
Take lots of pictures. You are often at home and social media is exploding with people posting photos showing how they pass the time. Be sure to include your pets in your work-from-home selfies. They’ll love the attention, and we’ll love seeing them.
