Going Back to Work? How it Might Affect Your Cat.

Going Back to Work? How it Could Affect Your Cat.

Photo by Sam Lion of Pexels

Cats love routine.  Just ask our 9 yr old, Rupert.  He can tell you when each of his meals are served.  He will also let you know if you are late, by knocking the tv remote off of the end table.

Gonna share, Mom?

More people are heading back into the office now that the Covid vaccines are available.  For some people, this will be an easy transition back to an old and familiar routine.  However, have you considered how this will affect your cat and its routine?

Cats are known for not liking change.  That's true for a lot of cats, but certainly not all cats.  When offices started closing down due to Covid this was a big change for people and everyone in their home. Including pets. Some people and their pets likely adjusted to the change of working from home rather quickly.  Others might not have.  

These were stressful times and still continue to be.  Cats can be very sensitive to change, but also to how we are feeling and dealing with things.  Unfortunately, this can often go unnoticed until your cat "tells you".  Meaning, their behavior changes.  Sometimes with unacceptable behavior. Hopefully, your cat was happy and content with having you home more often.  I also hope that you found some stress relief by spending more time with your cat.  

Now, with offices bringing people back, this is another change in routine for your cat.  But wait, isn't this just like when you are home on vacation or the weekend?  No.  Those are shorter periods of time, and most likely, your cat is used to the weekend routine.  Yes, vacation time might be longer than a weekend, and your cat might feel it needs to do some adjusting. But, not nearly the same as you being home for a year.

Your cat could have 2 different reactions when you go back to the office on a daily basis.

The first reaction would be that he or she will miss you! You might have spent more time cuddling or playing with your cat.  You might have slept in more and/or stayed up later.  Your cat likely adjusted to that new routine. 

I miss you!

Photo by Marko Blazevic from Pexels

Or, the other reaction is one of relief.  Yes, your cat might be happy to go back to the old routine, as much as he or she loves you.  Some cats prefer having more time to themselves and less noise or stress in the home.

Finally, peace & quiet again

Photo by Francesco Ungaro from Pexels

So, before you head back into the office on a regular basis (or if you have already), be sure to help your cat with this transition.

How?

If you had been playing more often with your cat, continue to have fun play sessions when you are home.  You may have less time, but having a fun play session is a great way of spending time with your cat and sealing that ever so important bond.  Playing with your cat can also serve as a stress reliever for your cat (and you too!). Kind of like exercise can help people shed stress.  An active round of play can do the same for your cat.

Playtime!

Photo by Wendelin Jacober from Pexels

If you spent more time hanging out with your cat, cuddling, watching tv together, etc...  continue to do that as much as you can.  You can always scale back on that gradually, but please don't stop completely. 

Some cats might even experience separation anxiety, which could potentially cause behavioral problems such as not using their litterbox correctly. Try to spend quality time with him or her before and after work.  Try to do this at the same time of day each day, so your cat will know when to expect this special time with you.  

If you have not yet started working from the office, but know you will be soon, start the transition now with spending less time with your cat.  Go out for an hour or more each day, to give your cat more time on its own.  If your cat appears relaxed and has not shown any behavioral issues, reward him or her when you come back with a special tasty treat or extra cuddles. 

If there are other family members in the home, include them in the new/old routine. Your cat won't understand that you might feel tired or not up to playing with him or her as often as you were, so if others can fill in, that would be ideal.

If your cat is experiencing a change in behavior, please contact your Veterinarian to arrange for an exam.  If your Veterinarian rules out medical issues, please contact me at realworldcatconsulting@gmail.com or fill out and submit the Behavior Consultation Form.

Wonderful Whiskers

A cat’s whiskers are also called vibrissae. These hairs are very sensitive and grow on a cat's face - above the eyes, near the ears, the jaw and also their legs. We mainly notice the hairs or whiskers to each side of the cats nose, and also above the eyes.  Whiskers are connected to a follicle full of nerves.

Cats can use their whiskers to determine if they can fit into certain spaces such as a box or tunnel.

They also use their whiskers to position their prey.  Cats do not have the best eye sight, however, their whiskers can detect vibrations in the air.  So, if their prey moves, they know it, and they will then get into position to pounce!

Cat whiskers do not need to be cut. Whiskers occasionally shed, so you might find a whisker on the floor once in awhile.  Some people believe that these whiskers bring good luck and keep them!

Because whiskers are so sensitive, cats require shallow and wide bowls to eat out of.  This way, their whiskers do not touch the bowl or at the very least, aren't crammed into the bowl.  Some cats will actually refuse to eat due to whisker stress.

You can even tell what kind of mood your cat is in by its whiskers.  Be sure to watch its ears and/or tail as well, as the combination of these might tell you much more.  This is beneficial especially if you have just added a new cat to your home and you are just getting to know him or her. If its whiskers are relaxed and sticking out to the side, your cat is feeling calm. If they are fanning out forward, your cat is excited and alert. If they are flattened against the cheeks, your cat might be angry, afraid or stressed.

Kittens are angels with whiskers.
- Unknown

I don't think the boys used their whiskers to determine if they would fit!

Enrichment For Your Cats

Enrichment means providing something novel for your cat, that they will enjoy and be curious about. It could be a new type of treat, a new toy, a puzzle feeder, maybe even taking them outside safely. As long as they benefit from it, that is what counts! They can benefit from it physically (agility or playtime), mentally (food puzzle or learning something new) and/or emotionally (spending extra time with them, finding a new way to interact with them that they enjoy, a new blanket, a new cuddle spot). Stimulate their senses!

Lately, our 9 yr old Rupert has been door dashing. We live in the country and prefer to keep our cats indoors, as there are coyotes in our area. So, I have brought some things that were outdoors to the indoors to provide that extra enrichment and stimulation for him. (He is also learning to come when called to keep him away from doors when they are opened).

Yesterday, I found some Canada Goose feathers and the cats really enjoyed them.

First, they were curious as to what these fluffy things were.

 

This feather stimulated all their senses: sight/visual, scent, touch/feel, taste and sound (when moved around).  They all ended up playing with the feathers which was fun to see! 

 

Mufasa liked pawing and touching the feather.
Twyla wants to grab and play!

Mufasa, our 15 yr old, is still our most playful cat, as you will see in this video.  He had a lot of fun inspecting and playing with the feather!

Want to learn more?

Wayside Waifs, a local no-kill shelter, offers e-learning classes. Their next one is actually about cat and dog enrichment. Be sure to check it out and register to attend! Click on the link below for more information. 

E-learning Series: Spoil Your Pet