Self-quarantine is rough on everyone, but no one is suffering more than your cat. In the midst of this global-pandemic, house cats everywhere are suffering from the shocking reality that their homes are now being invaded by their humans 24/7. For cats that are used to their humans being away at work for 8+ hours a day, this time is particularly hard, and we need to do our part to make sure they are as comfortable as possible with our intrusion.
Now more than ever, it's important to show your cat that you are indeed here to serve them and them alone. Show them how thankful you are for allowing you into their house (because let's face it, your house doesn't really belong to you if you have a cat), by giving them all the yummy treats they desire. A little extra of their favorite thing is a great way to show your appreciation. With that being said, don't overdo it in the treat department, because a fat cat isn't a happy cat!
Since you are invading their space, ensuring your cat's comfort is crucial! Having ample and extra spaces to hide away from human interaction is more important than ever. Cat trees, cat tunnels, and Kitty Kasas are great additions to your cat's area that can give them plenty more nooks and crannies to hide away from you and your obnoxious conference calls.
For those cats that absolutely cannot stand the thought of sharing their space with humans for the entire work day, creating an enclosed outdoor containment for your cat may be the perfect answer! Making a "catio" can double as both gifting your cat their ideal outdoor safe space, while also being a great Quarantine DIY project for you! Not so handy? There are also pre-made and even custom catio options to fit you and your cat's needs.
Remember those morning coffee breaks and lunch breaks you used to take at the office? Forget about them, because now your break time consists of doing all the activities your cat loves most. Prove to your cat that working from home can be fun for them too. Let them play those fun cat apps on your phone, have them chase around the laser pointer for awhile, engage them with their favorite squeaky mouse on a stick. Basically, play any game that makes them happy, but also requires your pesky human opposable thumbs (you've got to show your worth).
Don't forget who's really being inconvenienced in this situation. Your work station isn't the only one that's changed here. If your cat needs some alone time to conduct important cat business, then give it to them. If they seem extra annoyed by your feeble attempts to entertain them, or just your presence in general, then give them some extra space to do "cat things" and try again later.
Hopefully this guide helps you to keep your new feline supervisors happy and off your back during your time working from home. If all of this isn't enough for them to tolerate your presence, then we unfortunately don't think they have a kitty HR department for you to complain to. Just be sure to tread lightly, because even a global pandemic doesn't match the wrath of an truly annoyed cat!