Everything You Need to Become a Stay-At-Home Cat Mom
Whether you’re a new cat mom or the world's best cat mom, here are five things you need to start your stay-at-home cat mom career.
Two months ago I decided to pursue my calling as a stay-at-home cat mom, and let me tell you — it’s not for the soft-hearted.
Last week, I had to escort my cats out of the room after they decided the top right-hand corner of my MacBook Air was their ideal chew toy. Yesterday, I had to mute myself because one of my cats insisted the food bowl needed to be refilled in the middle of my meeting — even though it wasn’t even close to empty. Not to mention, every day I have to resist the urge to join my cats on their first, second, third, and fourth naps of the day.
Needless to say, I thought my extensive experience being a crazy cat mom would make me immune to the stay-at-home cat mom challenges. But it did not. After a few months, of balancing being a cat mother and an entrepreneur, here are things I’ve learned are necessities.
1. Cat-Friendly Co-Working Space
Picture this. You’re 10 minutes into the zoom meeting with your boss when — BAM! Your cat knocks your seven-dollar venti vanilla sweet cream cold brew all over your desk. You have two options: Yell a not-very-business-like word in front of your boss before cleaning up the mess or cry.
This is why you need a cat-friendly co-working space. So, what does that look like?
To start, give your cats a place to sit that is near you but not on your desk. Whether it’s a cat tree next to your desk, cleaning off the top of a shelf, or simply pulling up a stool for them to sit on, it allows them to be close without being distracting — hopefully.
It is also crucial that everything on your desk is secured. Loose pens rolling around? Try a cute pen holder. Cords everywhere? Try a desk cord organizer rack. As for the spilled latte fiasco, try a desk cup holder.
2. Food Puzzles
My cats think that if their food bowl isn’t completely full the world is ending. Anybody else?
Food puzzles are an easy way to keep your cats distracted while you’re on an important business call. Not to mention if it takes them long enough, you might have a few meow-less hours of work time after your call.
My cats love the larger digging food puzzles, but there are also small options like the toy ball slow feeder.
3. Independent Play Cat Toys
If the other two recommendations aren’t distracting your cats enough, independent-play cat toys might be the way to go.
When you have multi-hour meetings, switch on the automatic laser pointer and let it do the entertaining for you. While most cats have a freakishly short attention span, mine would chase that little red dot for days if I let them.
If laser pointers aren’t your cat’s thing, I’ve also had great success with automatic moving cat toys and interactive toy puzzles.
Becoming a stay-at-home cat mom might be the best choice for you, your cats, and your career, but don’t let that distract you from preparing for the challenges ahead.
From one stay-at-home cat mom to another, best of luck out there pal.
