It’s no secret that the gig economy has made it easier than ever for Americans to work from home. In fact, more working Americans than ever before are participating in the gig economy. Working from home has many benefits. There are simply too many to list here. However, working from home comes with its own unique set of challenges. When you’re working from home, you have to contend with a lot of the same noises and distractions of a normal office environment. If you have a feline friend or family member in your home, that’s even more of a challenge. Working alongside a cat can be stressful at times. They’re always wanting attention and they’re always interrupting your work.
Cats don’t understand boundaries
One of the biggest issues that working cat owners face is their cat’s lack of understanding of boundaries. Cats are curious, and they like to explore everything. You don’t want to leave food or drinks out for your cat if you’re going to be working in the same room. They will take what they want, and then leave you with a cat that won’t stop pawing at your stuff. At the same time, you also don’t want your cat to be allowed to wander too far into the work area. Depending on your work environment, you might not have the option to move things out of the work area to keep your cat out.
Cats are nosy
Cats are curious by nature. They like to investigate what’s going on around them. That includes every little corner of your home, and also whatever you’re doing while you’re at work. Sometimes, this can become a problem. For example, your cat might decide to investigate your work computer while you’re on it. They might actually see something they shouldn’t have, and the information could be misused. This is especially a problem if your cat is an inquisitive tabby. A black cat is particularly inquisitive, and it’s not uncommon for them to investigate electronics.
Cats are unpredictable
The thing about cats that a lot of people don’t understand is that they are unpredictable by nature. They might sit and wait for you to finish up tasks, but they might also be constantly looking for something to do. If you have a work area that you can’t move, you need to make sure that it’s safe. A startled cat can be dangerous, and it could also cause your work environment to become unruly. You also don’t want to allow your cat to stay in the work area for too long. This could cause issues with your allergies or your work. You don’t want to let your cat become a distraction. This can make it harder for you to stay focused and get work done. You might find yourself constantly looking around the room for your cat. This is extremely distracting, and it makes it harder to stay focused.
Cats have their own idea of what’s appropriate
Cats are creatures of habit. This is especially true of indoor cats. They tend to stick to routines that they’ve developed while they’re living in a home. They might like to lounge on your work table or your computer. They might like to sleep on your chair or on your bed. Some cats even like to curl up in your work gear. If you have a work cat, you need to make sure that they stick to their own little routine while they are in your office. If they’re constantly sleeping on your desk or your computer, that’s a problem. It’s going to be distracting and it’s going to make it harder for you to focus.
Watch the video to see more examples of why cat owners just can’t work from home!