Working at Home with a Pet

Do you work from home with pets? Let us know your best tips for staying productive—while showing your pet love—in the comments!

Some things in life we all know to be true; for example, having a pet at home makes life infinitely better. Andddd, harder/more chaotic/messier/etc.

Owning a pet can make setting up or working within a home work environment tough to do, especially if you don’t have clear boundaries of where your pet can go. (What do you mean your cat has never stepped on your computer screen, ending a virtual call with your manager??? Lucky you.)

Nevertheless, we persist. For those of you who, like me, love your little friends but want to establish healthy boundaries while you’re mentally at the office, here are some tips for adequately caring for a pet without having to compromise work responsibilities.

Benefits to working at home with a pet

If you own a pet, you likely already reap the benefits of having a fluffy (or scaly, or feathery, etc.) friend around. Some of these benefits include increased happiness, reduced stress levels, and yes, even improved productivity. Studies show that taking your pet to work—or in this case, having your pet at your home office—can lead to increased productivity because you are less likely to worry about your pet, and, therefore, more likely to focus on your work. 

In addition to increased productivity, having your pet around can lead to a better state of mind. For example, petting an animal or interacting with your pet can provide a calming presence which can be especially helpful when you’re having a stressful day at work. Additionally, the Human and Animal Bond Research Institute has found that pet ownership also generally reduces anxiety and depression.  

Getting work done while caring for your pets

If your job requires most of your focus, how can you also give enough attention to your pet throughout the day? Because you can’t hide from your pet while you work from home, your pet might expect to receive all your attention. And because they’re so cute, you might also find yourself distracted by your pet while you’re working.

The good thing is you don’t have to sacrifice either responsibility for the sake of tending to the other. If executed thoughtfully, having pets around can actually help you establish a routine that is beneficial to your workflow.

• Incorporate playtime into your schedule. Treating time with your pet as a personal responsibility can help you provide your pet with attention without feeling guilty about stepping away from work. Scheduling breaks can also help you take care of yourself by going on walks and getting a breath of fresh air. Finally, having limits on playtime will also teach your pet to expect your attention during designated times and not all the time. 
• Having your pet close to you, even if you are not interacting with them, might make them feel at ease while you work. If they are not too much of a distraction, try putting your pet’s bed near your work station, so they feel close to you while you keep an eye on them. If your animal is comfortable in a crate or enclosed area, consider moving their preferred “safe space” next to your desk so you don’t have to worry about them getting into the trash or chewing on your favorite shoes.
• Invest in quiet toys. I’m sure you love the sound of your pet chomping on a bone or attacking a knit mouse, but make sure to buy your animal friend some quiet toys, too. That way, when you’re in an important meeting and want to distract them with a toy, they won’t interrupt your flow by chewing on a loud squeak toy. 

The future of office work for pet owners

It is an unavoidable reality that if you find an in-person workplace one day, or are asked to go into the office full time, you and your pet might have to make some adjustments to your routine. If this happens, consider investing in a pet sitter, finding a doggy day care near your home or work, or negotiating with your boss for flex hours or the ability to bring your pet into the office.