Working from home and leaving them when it ends

[Plump82]

Our kittens are nearly a year and half and since February have always had either one or both of us home with them nearly 24/7. So the majority of their lives they've had us home with them . They always want to be on us, or around us and i feel so sad at the the thought of them being alone when I eventually have to go back to the office.

I know they'll be fine but does anyone else wondering how their pets will cope?

This was one of the issues I have raised on more than one board on here.

I think dogs will be worse than cats. Certainly the noise the neighbours will have to endure will be worse from barking and howling dogs. Cats are more likely to sleep!

And if someone has two pets they can comfort or run riot together.

I think there will be lots of people who will come home to scenes of carnage, curtains hanging down, cushions unstuffed, dog mess on the floor because the people bought their pup and didn’t research costs properly and now can’t afford a dog walker.

I agree this is going to be a big problem for a lot of cats (and dogs) and their slaves when we get back to normal.

You could try start working in a room with the door closed to them, for a short time to begin with building up to longer periods away from them. Try not to make too much noise so they are getting used to a quieter house with you not in view, or leaving a radio or tv in on their favourite room so they have some people noise. Also consider taking your lunchbreak out of the house - tea and sarnie in the car if needs be, again so they have a little time alone.

My cat is ten, and since her brother died last year was used to being home alone at least 4 days a week but she quickly got used to having me here all the time and would come crying/shouting at me if I moved to a different room to the one she prefers during the day - even if her plan was to then just go to sleep! I now mostly work away from her preferred room, mainly for stronger wifi signal, but it has also gotten her used to snoozing a few hours at a time on her own again.

Leave a radio on for them. They will be fine and get used to new routines quite easily. If you have a webcam - I bet you will find they sleep most of the day!

IME cat's really don't care whether you're there or not. I can leave mine for 12+ hours and they really don't give a fuck That's been the case when I've had one, two or three cats.

Dogs are going to be the ones that struggle.

@vanillandhoney mine loves it when I get home! He comes to the door when I open it and miaows and miaows, head bops next, purrs
He's not the most normal cat

[quote QueenPaws]@vanillandhoney mine loves it when I get home! He comes to the door when I open it and miaows and miaows, head bops next, purrs
He's not the most normal cat [/quote]
One of mine does the same, but she's equally happy on her own - she just sleeps all day!

She was an only cat for 18 months, then lived with another for two years, now she lives with three cats. None of them have ever shown any anxiety at being left. I mostly go out and come back and they haven't moved unless they're following the sun

yeah I'm pretty sure mine sleeps most of the day, he pretends he hasn't but there always a suspicious warm dent on the duvet

I had a camera for mine, they do sleep all day!

@vanillandhoney

IME cat's really don't care whether you're there or not. I can leave mine for 12+ hours and they really don't give a fuck That's been the case when I've had one, two or three cats.

Dogs are going to be the ones that struggle.

Mine love it when we get in if we've been out and when they sit at the window and see my husband come home from from work they run to the front door. Our girl launches herself at him for cuddles. They are both very, very affectionate cats!

Mine also sleep all day but its either on me, or my desk!

Unfortunately i can only work from one room and its the one they like the most too.

I know im worrying about nothing and there's been no talk of when im going back to the office. Its just when boy cat was on my knee and girl cat round my neck it made me think!

Piggycat2 was RAGING when I was first sent to WFH. I can only assume she had Important Cat Things to do and I ruined them? About 6 weeks in, it became acceptable for her to at least be in the same room (though body clearly angled to show her continuing disgust at my presence). The week before I went back to work, she was my best mate. I have had a lot of days off lately to use up holidays. Needless to say, we’re back to raging again...

So yes, the cats will be fine.