Working from home comes with its perks—flexibility, comfort, and the ability to create a pet-friendly workspace that suits your needs. For pet lovers, one of the best benefits is having your furry companion by your side. Whether you have a dog, cat, or even a rabbit, pets can bring a sense of calm, reduce stress, and even improve productivity. I love having my border collie and ragdoll cat keep me company while I work.
But how do you set up your home office to accommodate your pet while maintaining a functional workspace? Let’s explore the science-backed benefits of having pets in your home office, followed by some must-have items to make your pet-friendly setup comfortable and efficient.
Why have a Pet-Friendly Home Office? Science-backed Benefits
Well, you may have noticed that working with your pet nearby makes your day better—but did you know there’s actual science behind it?
Reduces Stress & Boosts Mood
Studies show that interacting with pets lowers cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress, while increasing oxytocin, the feel-good hormone (Beetz et al., 2012). And a simple pet cuddle during a busy workday can work wonders for reducing anxiety and improving focus.
Pro Tip: If you have a high-stress job, take short breaks to play with or pet your furry friend—it can instantly lift your mood.
Encourages Regular Breaks & Movement
Sitting for long hours isn’t great for your health. A pet—especially a dog—forces you to take breaks for walks, playtime, or feeding. Plus, according to research, short breaks during work improve focus and prevent burnout (Ariga & Lleras, 2011).
Pro Tip: Set a reminder to take “pet breaks”—a quick belly rub for your pup or a few minutes of playing with your cat can help refresh your mind. If your dog is anything like mine, you won’t need to set a reminder, as they have their own inbuilt clock, which will have them coming to check in with you often!
Reduces Feelings of Loneliness
Working from home can sometimes feel isolating, but having a pet provides companionship and a sense of routine. I absolutely agree, as my dog, who keeps coming to say hi, is a great companion during a long workday. A study found that pet owners report higher emotional well-being and lower loneliness levels compared to non-pet owners (Powell et al., 2019).
Pro Tip: If you’re on long Zoom calls, your pet sitting quietly beside you can offer emotional support without being distracting.
Boosts Productivity & Focus
It may sound counterintuitive, but pets can actually help you concentrate better. Also, researchers suggest that pets provide a comforting presence, reducing distractions like social media scrolling or overthinking (Wells, 2009).
Pro Tip: Place your pet’s bed near your desk so they’re close to you but not on your keyboard (especially if you have a cat!).
How to Set Up a Pet-Friendly Home Office
Now that we know the benefits, how do you create a workspace that accommodates both you and your pet? Here are some must-have items to keep your office comfortable and organized while ensuring your pet stays happy. We’ve divided them up into dog and cat but are very aware there are many different types of pets and furry friends.
How to Organize your Pet-Friendly Workspace for your Dog
Having a pet-friendly home office keeps your dog comfortable while you work. For example, place a cozy bed near your desk. In addition, use a pet gate to set boundaries. Meanwhile, keep toys nearby to prevent boredom and distractions. We have put together some best sellers from Amazon that will definitely make your workspace a little dog-heaven!
A Comfortable Pet Bed for the Office
If you want to keep your pet close while working, invest in a cozy pet bed that fits near or under your desk. The Furhaven Orthopedic Pet Bed is a real best seller on Amazon and 85000+ customers cannot be wrong!
Why it’s great:
- Plush bed made with orthopoedic foam for comfort.
- Removable bolsters on two sides
- Fully zippered for easy removal and washing
- Available in many sizes and colors so you will find one to match your Office decor
Pet Chair with Ramp
Such a clever solution for the dog that wants to be close to you. The Seatmate Chair with Ramp is perfect. Ideally, it is for small dogs who want to sit next to your desk or near a window to watch the world go by. We all know how frustrating it is when your furry friend keeps nagging you to sit on your lap.
Why it’s great:
- Holds up to 100Lb
- Comes in khaki and blue colored cushion with black metal frame
- Easy to assemble
- Legs fold away under the seat – so conveniently space-saving
- Removable washable cushion cover – definitely pet-friendly
- So many happy customers and their pets love this great design
Noise-cancelling Pet-Friendly Background Music
Do you have an anxious dog? Does it tend to bark when you are on a Zoom call? Does it struggle with separation anxiety? This could be your answer. A top-seller from Amazon, this Sound Oasis Bluetooth Sound Machine provides stress relief, comfort for separation anxiety, and helps your pet sleep.
Why it’s great:
- Comes with 20 pre-loaded sounds to help your pet sleep better and reduce anxiety
- Has a rechargeable battery with 4-5 hours of run time
- Leave plugged in to play sound all day/night
- Add new sounds via microSD or stream music directly from Spotify. We recommend “Relax my Dog” or “Relax my Cat” playlists on Spotify or YouTube.
A Pet Gate or Playpen for Boundaries
If your pet tends to interrupt meetings or chew on cables, a small playpen or gate can help set boundaries. Also allowing you peace-of-mind to continue working knowing they are not up to mischief while you are busy. An Amazon Choice product, the Pawland extra-wide dog gate with door walk-through is a good choice. Remember too that the gate/or pen can work both ways—keeping your pet in with you or out away from you! Also, a baby-friendly and pet-friendly solution for the whole family!
Why it’s great:
- Easy to set up and comes with 6 panels and support feet included
- Available in espresso and white
- Lightweight, and easily converted from super-wide gate to a play yard
- The gate is freestanding and can be moved around the house as needed.
- Solid wood frame with strong metal wire interior.
How to Organize your Pet-Freiendly Workspace for your Cat
Creating a cozy space for your cat is key to a pet-friendly workspace. For instance, add a cat bed near your desk. Additionally, a window perch lets them relax while watching outside (bonus points if it is also near your desk). Meanwhile, keep cables tucked away to prevent playful chewing. Our article about Cable Management has some great suggestions for that.
Heated Pet Bed for your cat
Cats absolutely love to snuggle and the warmer the better. Consider a heated pet bed like the K & H Thermo Heated Cat Bed. Your little cat will think they are in heaven.
Why it’s great:
- High sides to make them feel secure
- Available in two sizes and two different two-tone colors, which are beautiful
- A thermostat automatically adjusts to your cat’s natural body temperature and only kicks in when the cat is in the bed.
- Low wattage and highly energy efficient
- Removable cover for easy washing
A raised Cat Hammock for above your desk
Cats love being near you
, but they also love elevated spaces. If you work long hours, a desk hammock or perch allows your cat to stay close without taking over your keyboard! We love the 5 Star rated Amazon Giisorde Cat Hammock, which sits on your desk. Also, how cute is that little kitty sitting in it?
Why it’s great:
- The cat desk bed rotates 360° on a height adjustable pole
- Easily and quickly attaches to the desk with a clamp
- Double-sided design for different seasons – mesh surface for warm times and fluffy wool for winter.
- Hammock part able to be detached and washed
- Available in two colors
How about a Cat Hammock beside your desk
Now it’s all good and well to have the elevated right above the desk where you are working; however, that may not work well for some cats or people. How about a cat hammock that is attached to the side of the desk? Keeping the cat close by but possibly out of eye sight for distraction and out of reach for swatting your pen! The Kobuddy Shelf bed is the perfect cat hammock for your desk.
Why it’s great:
- Easy to attach to the desk with a strong G clamp and adjustable
- Holds up to 50lbs weight – enough for a medium cat
- Hand-washable faux fur that is soft and cozy.
Orthopoedic Cat Perch for a Window Sill
Next to sitting on your lap (or keyboard), a cat loves nothing better than to watch the world go by. We love the Zakkart Cat Perch for the Window Sill, which comes with orthopoedic cushioning. Great for a home office where your desk is near a window.
Why it’s great:
- Easy mounting—no suction cups or drilling needed (requires a slot at least 0.5″ deep to hook into)
- Weight capacity is 40 lbs. with a generous area for your cat to lounge in
- Constructed from wood and machine washable fabric
How to balance Work & Pet Time
- Set a Routine: Schedule feeding, potty breaks, and playtime around your work hours.
- Use Interactive Toys – Puzzle toys like the KONG Classic Dog Toy to keep pets entertained.
Train Your Pet for Quiet Time – Reward calm behavior during calls or focused work sessions.
Must-have Toy to keep your Dog Occupied
The Kong is a classic dog toy that has proven itself over time to be great for occupying and tiring out dogs. By providing mental stimulation, it also helps solve other issues such as chewing, teething, and boredom. Combined with the Kong Classic is the Kong Easy Treat paste that is used to fill the Kong.
Why it’s great:
- The Kong is made from natural rubber and is dishwasher safe
- The unpredictable bounce makes it exciting for your dog
Veterinarian and trainer recommended around the world- The hollow shape is great for filling, either with the paste or kibble
- Freeze the kong with the paste in the middle to make it last longer
- The paste is available in a variety of flavors: peanut butter, liver, bacon and cheese, pepperoni, and one specifically for puppies.
A Happy Pet, A Productive You!
Having a pet in your home office can enhance your work-from-home experience, offering companionship, stress relief, and motivation to take breaks. With the right setup—comfy pet beds, interactive toys, and structured routines—you can create a space where both you and your pet thrive.
References
Beetz, A., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Julius, H., & Kotrschal, K. (2012). Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions. Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 234.
Powell, L., Edwards, K. M., & Baune, B. T. (2019). Pet ownership and wellbeing. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 32(1), 16-21.
Wells, D. L. (2009). The effects of animals on human health and well-being. Journal of Social Issues, 65(3), 523-543.
