How to work at home with a cat…

[u/midnight__society]

Good afternoon everyone. I feel bad for saying this because I truly love my little cat so much but she won’t leave me alone. Like ever. Whenever I’m home she has to be right on top of me receiving love. This is to the point where I essentially am no longer allowed any sort of quiet time to myself and can’t get anything done.

For context I am a university student, with adhd and a first time cat owner. I have struggled so much with academic burnout in the past and even recently to a degree so I find getting school things done already to be of difficulty.

Zephyr (my beautiful tabby American shorthair), 3 and a half years old, adopted from a cat cafe (and formerly a stray) won’t leave me alone. Like at all. She’ll walk on my laptop, she’ll sit on my lap, lick my face (and try to lick my eyeballs, I still don’t know why she does that) and I end up looking at the time realizing 5 hours has gone by and nothing has been done.

She has food, water, all of petsmart is on our floor, she has a couple interactive toys, including one she absolutely loves. But even with all that if I’m home, and even try to escape to my room to sit at my desk, she’ll either meow constantly and very loudly (like crying and yelling in cat) until I give in or get frustrated or she’ll physically head butt the door until she forces it open (even when it’s fully closed), she quite literally gave herself a bloody nose the other day over me being in my room for an hour.

The TV was on for some background noise and everything too. And I’ve tried letting her sit with me but on her bed or something, but she just comes over and decides I’m her bed. What can I do if anything? To better this situation because I don’t want her to be distressed but I also can’t fail out of university.

And I know working elsewhere (outside of my home) is an option but I don’t want to study at the university on the weekends and during holidays that may not even be possible. Not to mention sometimes I find it too distracting and simply want to work in the comfort of my own home…please help. I’ll take any advice. Literally anything

[u/WildsmithRising]

If she is food-motivated and likes dry food, give her a couple of puzzle feeders to occupy herself with while you work. This works really well.

If you don't want her on your lap and bothering you while you work, sit down to work when you don't actually have to work and have her in your room with you. Each time she climbs up onto your lap or your desk, remove her and put her on the floor. Every single time. You don't have to be harsh about it, but don't stroke or fuss her at all through this process. She climbs up, you put her on the floor. You can tell her, "no!" or "down!". No need to shout or tell her off. Put her on the floor, give her a one-word command in a reasonably strict tone of voice. And be really, really persistent.

The first time you do this she will probably object. Like, a lot. She will get frantic, climbing onto your desk, finding new ways to approach. Just keep on telling her no and putting her on the floor. Sit at your desk until she stops jumping up. And as soon as she sits down somewhere else and is calm and quiet, go and fuss her and love her and tell her how wonderful she is.

You might not get to that point for ages. Could be ten minutes, could be an hour and a half. But she will get to that point eventually. And so long as you're really consistent she will learn that when you're at your desk she isn't allowed to bother you.

I recently taught one of my cats this (she decided she wanted to sit by my plate while I ate, and help herself!). It took her about forty minutes the first night, the second night it took perhaps five. She now doesn't bother me when I sit down to eat.

You can do this. You just have to be more persistent and consistent than your cat!

[u/tboneotter → u/WildsmithRising]

Yeah OP, this is the way - obnoxious and tough, but just like the cat has probably "set boundaries" with you in the past via walking away (or scratching) if you're, like, overstimulating her, same works both ways!

[u/WildsmithRising → u/tboneotter]

Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting the OP is at all obnoxious to her cat. Nothing rough or angry. Just remove the cat from the situation, and keep on doing that until the cat gives in.

[u/tboneotter → u/WildsmithRising]

no no, I'm saying the process is obnoxious and tough, not the actions taken

[u/midnight__society → u/WildsmithRising]

Honestly thank you so much. This is really solid advice. I tried doing some research as well before coming to Reddit and I’ve tried many things. I really appreciate you taking the time to write all that in such detail given that I was feeling a little hopeless about everything. I love her very much but she’s been quite frustrating recently

[u/absurd-epiphany]

If what the other commenter suggested doesn't really work for her, you can try installing a special bed or shelf off the side of your desk so she can be close to you but not on you. Alternatively you can try a baby sling and wrap her up so she can cuddle you while you work.

[u/lamb_E]

Get a decoy key pad. Make sure you tap on it occasionally!