Is your furry friend making surprise appearances on your video calls? Maybe they can be heard in the background barking or meowing. With many of us working from home these days, it can be challenging to maintain a harmonious home office environment with furry coworkers. Here are our tips for how to manage.
#1: Encourage your pet to provide their own entertainment with food puzzles
While your adorable pooch popping their head in on your Zoom meeting may make your team break into laughter, non-stop barking during a meeting is a different matter. When you know an important call or virtual meeting is coming up, set you and your pet up for success with a food puzzle or long-lasting treat. Plan ahead by freezing a Kong stuffed with canned food, kibble, fresh veggies, or yogurt mixture. The frozen concoction will last your pet longer, ensuring they won’t interrupt your meeting.
#2: Use your pet’s natural soothing abilities to battle stress
Pet ownership has been shown to lower blood pressure, calm cardiovascular issues, and reduce stress and anxiety. Simply being in the same room as your furry pal can calm your heart rate after an argument with your boss, and hugging and petting your four-legged friend can soothe away your stress and anxiety. Other coworkers cannot claim these benefits!
#3: Take a quick play break for mental and physical health
Have you been staring at the same blank screen or stack of paperwork for the past half hour, with zero progress? Get up and get moving with your furry coworker, to bolster your endorphins, and get your creative juices flowing. A brief break to play with your cat’s favorite fishing pole toy, or to walk your dog around the block, will provide a much-needed energy boost and propel you out of your mental slump.
Contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We’re here to help!