The Benefits of Working Remotely as a Pet Owner

If you’ve ever worked an office job, you know what it can be like to leave your beloved pet each morning. You give them extra kisses and promise that you’ll be back soon. You may even think about them during the day, wondering what they’re doing, and missing them. Or maybe you even stress about how much money you’re spending on a dog walker or pet sitting service.

When you work from home, though, your whole relationship with your pet can change—for the better!

Here are some benefits of working remotely as a pet owner:

You’ll have company.

Even the most introverted of remote workers can crave companionship every now and then. And the level of bonding that happens between humans and their pets is beyond compare. Having a pet in the house while you work from home can give you some much-needed company without having that annoying component of gossiping colleagues, ringing telephones, or other office distractions.

It can provide a reason to take a break.

Studies show that remote workers tend to work more (not less) than those who work in a traditional office. As such, you might find that you sit down to work—and stay there—for hours on end. That won’t be the case with a pet, though. Your furry friend will remind you when it’s lunchtime or if he’s ready for a walk. This interruption can actually be a good thing, since it’ll help you take a break to stretch your legs, relax your mind, and score some stress-reducing playtime with your pooch.

You’ll save money.

No doubt about it—if you have a pet and work outside the home, it can get costly. Between hiring someone to care for your pet (like a dog walker) or someone to check in if you’re going to be working extra hours at the office, pet care costs can be high. The good news is that most (if not all) of these added expenses can be eliminated if you work alongside your pet, since you’ll be able to tend to him yourself. Which brings up the point…

You can provide better care for your pet.

Working remotely means that you can give your pet that extra TLC he probably needs during the day. If you’re working in your home office, you don’t have to worry about your dog howling because he misses you—or the complaints you might potentially get from your neighbors. And if your pet isn’t looking as perky as he should be, you can monitor his health during the day and get him medical attention if he needs it, rather than having to fork over big bucks for after-hours urgent care.

It can be beneficial to your mental health and productivity.

According to Mentalhealth.org, pets “can be a great source of comfort, companionship and motivation for their owners. In many ways, pets can help us to live mentally healthier lives.” The site also says the companionship that a pet offers “is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress.” And when we’re happier, healthier, and less stressed, we’re often better at our jobs.

It isn’t disruptive.

Unlike working from home with kids (which, by the way, is almost an impossibility), working remotely as a pet owner is possible. Apart from having to put your pet in another room during a conference call with your boss, or during a chat with a coworker, you can have your pet next to you in your home office without worrying that he’ll disturb your workflow—except maybe when he’s begging for extra treats.

Photo Credit: bigstockphoto.com

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