Cats can be delightful coworkers, but when they prevent you from actually working they’re less delightful. If you’re looking for ideas on how to keep a cat off your keyboard while you try to earn money to pay for all their treats, you’re in the right place. In honor of National Cat Day, here are a few quick tips from a cat behavior expert.
Keep Them Out Of The Room
The most obvious solution to a cat getting on your keyboard is to keep them out of your office while you work. If you have a smaller home, this may not be possible. If you have multiple rooms, close the door so your cat isn’t allowed in during the work day.
Many cats don’t like closed doors so this can be a challenge if your cat has access to the room some of the time. The easiest way to make this a viable option is to not let your cat in your office from the day you move in and to keep the door closed all the time.
Keep Your Cat Busy
If you let your cat into your office while you work, you can still keep them off your keyboard. A bored cat will find ways to keep themselves amused. If you don’t give your cat something to do, they’ll look to you to entertain them. If you’re working, you can’t just stop to play with your cat whenever they want, though. Instead, try passive (or semi-passive) enrichment activities such as:
- Food puzzles.
- Putting on a video made for cats.
- Setting up a window mounted bird feeder on a nearby window. If you’re feeling really wild, get one that (kind of) lets the birds come inside.
- Use a (non-laser based) toy that will start and stop on its own.
Prevent Boredom And Hunger
Rather than reacting to your cat being bored, why not prevent it? If you play with your cat before you need to work and during your breaks, you’ll prevent them from becoming bored in the first place. The same goes with feeding your cat: feed them before and after. Cats are also less likely to beg for food if you feed them multiple small meals rather than two larger meals during the day so spread those meals out.
Modify The Environment
Changing your environment to offer your cat an alternative to your desk might help. No, this doesn’t involve any use of deterrents. Get your cat a nice, tall cat tree nearby and they’ll have a more appealing alternative to going on your desk because it’s taller than your desk. It’s part of why I have a cat tree behind me during sessions with clients!
Don’t want a tree? Cat shelves are great alternative. You can find some fun options for your cat on Etsy or from Catastrophic Creations.
Modify Your Desk
If you don’t have room to put in a cat tree nearby or don’t want to do shelves, you have a few options to keep your cat off the keyboard:
- Get A Desk Nest: This is one of my favorite new cat products of the year. A Desk Nest is a floating cat bed that clamps onto your desk. I have two on my desk and clients ask about it all the time. They’re also used by Poutine and ‘Zac quite frequently during calls. Look how happy Poutine is napping in his Desk Nest!
- Get A Fake Laptop: This seems silly, but it actually can work. A decoy laptop can get your cat to rest on it instead of your keyboard. I did an experiment with it a few years ago and Zoloft loved his “laptop.”
- Use An Acrylic Shield: If you’d rather just defend your hands, an acrylic keyboard shield is a great tool. I use one over my keyboard and mouse when one of my cats gets a bit too wiggly. They can fit most standard keyboards and your hands under so your keyboard is usable. You can even use it as a laptop stand if needed.
Make A Consistent Schedule
Consistency is less stressful for you and your cats. If you keep your day to day predictable, your cat will naturally learn when you pay attention to them while working and when you don’t. If your schedule isn’t consistent or you use your desk for hobbies, you can be consistent in how you interact with your cat.
- Don’t play with them while sitting at your desk.
- Give them attention only when they are on a ground or one of the acceptable places for them to be listed above.
- Keep meals at the same time daily or use an automatic feeder
Keep Your Cat Off Your Keyboard
It doesn’t need to be a struggle to keep your cat off your keyboard while you work, game, or do whatever it is your need to do at your desk. Your cat ultimately just wants to be near you, to play, or to climb up high. Meet their needs or offer them an alternative (seriously, get a Desk Nest) and they’ll be happy as a cat on catnip while you get your work done.
