We all love our furry friends, but sometimes it’s just not possible to take care of them the way we want when we have an important project that demands that we work late.
\r\nPet daycare is an excellent option for younger dogs, but some older or less social animals like cats and senior dogs may find it to be stressful.
\r\nThankfully, there are plenty of affordable new products that can help keep your pet entertained, allow them to use the bathroom, eat, drink, and even receive treats and praise when you’re away.
\r\nHere are the five best solutions for taking care of your pet remotely while you burn the midnight oil.
\r\nRelated Article: Pets In the Workplace: Is It a Good or Bad Idea?
\r\nYou likely have your pet on a feeding schedule, and working late can interrupt proper nutrition if you fail to plan ahead. Investing in an automated feeder and an auto-waterer can ensure that your pet stays fed and hydrated while you’re away.
\r\nThere are plenty of choices for the type of automated feeder you purchase, including models that run on a timer or connect to an app on your phone to allow you to feed your pet remotely. Auto-waterers come in simple designs that rely on gravity or even watering fountains that have been proven to encourage cats and dogs to drink more for better digestion.
\r\nIt’s also important to follow feeding instructions given by your vet and control portion size, especially for senior animals who might have weight issues or sensitive digestive tracts. Animals may be tempted to overeat while you are away, motivated by boredom or nervousness. Educate yourself about the proper nutrition for your pet based on activity level, size, and age before adjusting the settings of your auto-feeder.
\r\nWhen nature calls you want to know that your pet can get relief, even when you’re away. This is especially important for senior dogs and cats that might be unable to hold it and are prone to accidents. If you don’t have the time (or desire) to train your pet to use the toilet, there are a few options that can give your pet relief when you work late.
\r\nIf you happen to have a fenced-in yard, an electronic or magnetic pet door could be an affordable solution for your dog or cat. Not only do pet doors allow your pets to relieve themselves, but also allow for more freedom and space to explore.
\r\nRelated Article: Ruff Day at the Office: Should You Allow Pets at Work?
\r\nIf you live in an apartment or are afraid your pet will escape from your enclosed yard, placing a strip of fake turf or real grass in a central location is a popular solution. There are many designs available, but it’s very important to train your dog to use the product, and choose a convenient location. A patio is ideal, so consider combining a pet door with a potty strip to avoid offensive odors.
\r\nTaking care of the basic needs of your pet is necessary, but stimulating them mentally and physically while you’re away is just as important. If you know you’ll be working late, purchase some special interactive toys for your dog or cat that will keep them engaged and entertained.
\r\nThe main types of interactive toys that you can choose from are chew toys, treat toys, and puzzle toys and each offers unique benefits. Chew toys are great for dogs prone to naughty nibbling, treat toys are perfect for soothing nervous cats and dogs, and puzzle toys are best for highly intelligent animals who need extra stimulation. There are even ball-throwing machines for pups who are obsessed with fetch.
\r\nFor a more in-depth look at interactive dog and cat toys, and some popular and safe choices, check out this guide for dogs, or this guide for cats.
\r\nNervous pets can become very unhappy when left alone for long periods of time. One great way to keep them company from afar is to invest in a smart treat dispenser. Many products offer two-way audio and video that allow you to call your pet, talk to them and offer reassurance in the form of treats. Try setting a treat schedule for your pet, checking on them once every hour and praising them for good behavior.
\r\nHearing your voice, seeing your image, and receiving positive reinforcement can help soothe dogs and cats and prevent them from getting lonely. Some treat dispensing pet cameras even incorporate soothing scents to calm your nervous pet, and other dispensers are super simple and release treats using a timer. Compare features to find the treat dispenser that’s right for your fur baby.
\r\nWhile pet treat dispensers sometimes have cameras, their view is limited to one room. If your pet is particularly precocious, you might want to install a few cameras to monitor your pet while you’re away. Nanny cams work well for this and are small, inexpensive, and easy to install yourself with simple tools.
\r\nMany nanny cams can connect with an app on your phone, allowing you to monitor your pet’s behavior no matter where you are. This can be useful when you have to work late, or even when you’re away on business and you want to make sure your pet sitter is taking proper care of your dog or cat. If your pet gets sick, goes through the garbage, relieves himself in the house, or just does hilariously strange things while you're gone, it will all be recorded and available on-demand on your smartphone.
\r\nRelated Article: When Tech Meets Pets: How Technology Is Serving Man's Best Friend
\r\nNo pet owner likes to leave their furry friend alone for long periods of time, but sometimes it’s unavoidable when you’re vying for that big promotion and need to put in extra evening hours to get ahead. If you want to take great care of your pet even when you’re not home, try these five simple solutions.
\n","docType":"article","guid":"articles_b4b8331690af14943a088f16869e14fe","lastModified":"2016-09-20T21:00:00.000Z","published":"2016-09-20T21:00:00.000Z","structuredData":null,"subtitle":null,"template":"legacy","title":"5 Simple Solutions for Taking Care of Your Pet When Working Late","type":"article","author":{"avatar":null,"bio":"Clair is a freelance writer and technology and business expert based in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has been published on trusted sites like Forbes, Huffington Post, and Business2Community.","name":"Clair Jones","image":null,"slug":null,"social":{"facebook":"","linkedin":"","twitter":"the_clair_jones","website":"http://www.localinternetservice.com"},"status":"disabled","title":null,"type":"Old BDC Member","user":{"imagePath":"https://staging.business.com/images/undefined","profile":{"company":"Sue Bride","jobTitle":"Owner","website":""}}},"breadcrumbs":null,"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Career","slug":"career"},"sub":{"name":"Education","slug":"education"}},"meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"No one likes leaving their pet home alone while they're at work. Try these practical solutions to keep pets happy and healthy when you're away.","title":"Taking Care of Pet When Working Late - business.com"},"parsedContent":{"toc":[],"json":[{"component":"p","children":["We all love our furry friends, but sometimes it’s just not possible to take care of them the way we want when we have an important project that demands that we work late."]},{"component":"p","children":["Pet daycare is an excellent option for younger dogs, but some older or less social animals like cats and senior dogs may find it to be stressful."]},{"component":"p","children":["Thankfully, there are plenty of affordable new products that can help keep your pet entertained, allow them to use the bathroom, eat, drink, and even receive treats and praise when you’re away."]},{"component":"p","children":["Here are the five best solutions for taking care of your pet remotely while you burn the midnight oil."]},{"component":"p","children":[{"component":"em","children":["Related Article:"]}," ",{"component":"Link","props":{"href":"http://www.business.com/management/pets-in-the-workplace-is-it-a-good-or-bad-idea/"},"children":["Pets In the Workplace: Is It a Good or Bad Idea?"]}]},{"component":"h3","children":[{"component":"em","children":["Give Them Food and Water From Afar"]}]},{"component":"p","children":["You likely have your pet on a feeding schedule, and working late can interrupt proper nutrition if you fail to plan ahead. Investing in an automated feeder and an auto-waterer can ensure that your pet stays fed and hydrated while you’re away."]},{"component":"p","children":["There are plenty of choices for the ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://www.bestreviews.guide/automatic-pet-feeders","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["type of automated feeder"]}," you purchase, including models that run on a timer or connect to an app on your phone to allow you to feed your pet remotely. Auto-waterers come in simple designs that rely on gravity or even ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://www.petsho.com/10-best-water-fountains-for-cats-and-dogs-reviews/","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["watering fountains"]}," that have been proven to encourage cats and dogs to drink more for better digestion."]},{"component":"p","children":["It’s also important to follow feeding instructions given by your vet and control portion size, especially for senior animals who might have weight issues or sensitive digestive tracts. Animals may be tempted to overeat while you are away, motivated by boredom or nervousness. Educate yourself about the ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://petfood.chat/dogfood/","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["proper nutrition for your pet"]}," based on activity level, size, and age before adjusting the settings of your auto-feeder."]},{"component":"h3","children":[{"component":"em","children":["Make Sure They Can Go Potty"]}]},{"component":"p","children":["When nature calls you want to know that your pet can get relief, even when you’re away. This is especially important for senior dogs and cats that might be unable to hold it and are prone to accidents. If you don’t have the time (or desire) to train your pet to use the toilet, there are a few options that can give your pet relief when you work late."]},{"component":"p","children":["If you happen to have a fenced-in yard, an ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://www.petsafe.net/doors/electronic-doors","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["electronic or magnetic pet door"]}," could be an affordable solution for your dog or cat. Not only do pet doors allow your pets to relieve themselves, but also allow for more freedom and space to explore."]},{"component":"p","children":[{"component":"em","children":["Related Article:"]}," ",{"component":"Link","props":{"href":"http://www.business.com/human-resources/ruff-day-at-the-office-should-you-allow-pets-at-work/"},"children":["Ruff Day at the Office: Should You Allow Pets at Work?"]}]},{"component":"p","children":["If you live in an apartment or are afraid your pet will escape from your enclosed yard, placing a strip of fake turf or real grass in a central location is a popular solution. There are ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://petslady.com/articles/5-indoor-dog-potty-free-leash-68664","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["many designs available"]},", but it’s very important to train your dog to use the product, and choose a convenient location. A patio is ideal, so consider combining a pet door with a potty strip to avoid offensive odors."]},{"component":"h3","children":[{"component":"em","children":["Keep Them Busy"]}]},{"component":"p","children":["Taking care of the basic needs of your pet is necessary, but stimulating them mentally and physically while you’re away is just as important. If you know you’ll be working late, purchase some special interactive toys for your dog or cat that will keep them engaged and entertained."]},{"component":"p","children":["The main types of interactive toys that you can choose from are chew toys, treat toys, and puzzle toys and each offers unique benefits. Chew toys are great for dogs prone to naughty nibbling, treat toys are perfect for soothing nervous cats and dogs, and puzzle toys are best for highly intelligent animals who need extra stimulation. There are even ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://doggiefetch.com/","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["ball-throwing machines"]}," for pups who are obsessed with fetch."]},{"component":"p","children":["For a more in-depth look at interactive dog and cat toys, and some popular and safe choices, check out this ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://dogsaholic.com/care/interactive-dog-toys.html","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["guide for dogs"]},", or this ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://heavy.com/pets/2015/11/top-best-interactive-cat-toys/","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["guide for cats"]},"."]},{"component":"h3","children":[{"component":"em","children":["Give Them Treats and Reassurance"]}]},{"component":"p","children":["Nervous pets can become very unhappy when left alone for long periods of time. One great way to keep them company from afar is to invest in a smart treat dispenser. Many products offer two-way audio and video that allow you to call your pet, talk to them and offer reassurance in the form of treats. Try setting a treat schedule for your pet, checking on them once every hour and praising them for good behavior."]},{"component":"p","children":["Hearing your voice, seeing your image, and receiving positive reinforcement can help soothe dogs and cats and prevent them from getting lonely. Some treat dispensing pet cameras even incorporate soothing scents to calm your nervous pet, and other dispensers are super simple and release treats using a timer. ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://bestpetcam.com/","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["Compare features"]}," to find the treat dispenser that’s right for your fur baby."]},{"component":"h3","children":[{"component":"em","children":["Monitor Their Behavior"]}]},{"component":"p","children":["While pet treat dispensers sometimes have cameras, their view is limited to one room. If your pet is particularly precocious, you might want to install a few cameras to monitor your pet while you’re away. Nanny cams work well for this and are small, inexpensive, and easy to install yourself with simple tools."]},{"component":"p","children":["Many ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://www.safewise.com/resources/best-nanny-cams","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["nanny cams"]}," can connect with an app on your phone, allowing you to monitor your pet’s behavior no matter where you are. This can be useful when you have to work late, or even when you’re away on business and you want to make sure your pet sitter is taking proper care of your dog or cat. If your pet gets sick, goes through the garbage, relieves himself in the house, or just ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://barkpost.com/dog-cam-highlights/","target":"_blank","rel":"nofollow"},"children":["does hilariously strange things"]}," while you're gone, it will all be recorded and available on-demand on your smartphone."]},{"component":"p","children":[{"component":"em","children":["Related Article:"]}," ",{"component":"Link","props":{"href":"http://www.business.com/technology/when-tech-meets-pets-how-technology-is-serving-mans-best-friend/"},"children":["When Tech Meets Pets: How Technology Is Serving Man's Best Friend"]}]},{"component":"p","children":["No pet owner likes to leave their furry friend alone for long periods of time, but sometimes it’s unavoidable when you’re vying for that big promotion and need to put in extra evening hours to get ahead. If you want to take great care of your pet even when you’re not home, try these five simple solutions."]}]},"resource":null,"sponsorship":null,"thumbnail":{"path":null,"caption":"Monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images","isBlurred":true},"bestPicks":null},"related":{"relatedArticles":[{"title":"5 Simple Solutions for Taking Care of Your Pet When Working Late","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/5-simple-solutions-for-taking-care-of-your-pet-when-working-late/","slug":"5-simple-solutions-for-taking-care-of-your-pet-when-working-late","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/channel/career.jpg","dek":"No one likes leaving their pet alone while they're at work. Try these practical solutions to keep pets happy and healthy when you're away.","lastModified":"2016-09-20T21:00:00Z","published":"2016-09-20T21:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"How to Make Money in Retirement: A Guide to Turning a Hobby into a Side Business","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/how-make-money-retirement-hobby/","slug":"how-make-money-retirement-hobby","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5ba/902e01039eb26648b4572/1500-0-","dek":"Many retirees turn side interests into income. Learn how to make money in retirement.","lastModified":"2018-09-24T15:03:00Z","published":"2018-09-24T15:03:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Resources for Veteran-Owned Businesses","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/resources-veteran-owned-business/","slug":"resources-veteran-owned-business","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5b7/425da51ee47e7568b458a/1500-0-","dek":"How to start a business, find funding and gain customers as a veteran business owner.","lastModified":"2018-08-15T12:01:00Z","published":"2018-08-15T12:01:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Quality Assurance Trends to Watch in 2020","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/quality-assurance-trends-in-2020/","slug":"quality-assurance-trends-in-2020","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5e4/d4acb7b43749a578b4573/1500-0-","dek":"Today, let’s focus on Agile and DevOps as well as test automation – two trends that have stayed relevant through the years.","lastModified":"2020-02-19T17:48:00Z","published":"2020-02-19T17:48:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"The Entrepreneur's Road Map: 11 Steps to Success","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/entrepreneur-road-to-success/","slug":"entrepreneur-road-to-success","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5d1/52bd39c658a99508b457a/1500-0-","dek":"So you've decided to start a business. What exactly do you need to do?","lastModified":"2018-08-09T07:00:00Z","published":"2018-08-09T07:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"How to Make a Great Pitch Deck","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/make-a-great-pitch-deck/","slug":"make-a-great-pitch-deck","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5ef/95dd97b4374662f8b4568/1500-0-","dek":"Pitch decks can be valuable tools in accomplishing your goals if you know how to leverage them properly.","lastModified":"2020-06-29T12:00:00Z","published":"2020-06-29T12:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"How to Balance Work as a Single Parent and an Entrepreneur","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/how-to-balance-your-work-as-a-single-parent-and-an-entrepreneur/","slug":"how-to-balance-your-work-as-a-single-parent-and-an-entrepreneur","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/channel/business-basics.jpg","dek":"An exhaustive plan is the key to efficient work and high productivity. Learn how to balance single parenthood and your entrepreneurship.","lastModified":"2016-09-19T14:00:00Z","published":"2016-09-19T14:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"How to Generate PR for a Startup at Conferences","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/startup-pr-business-conferences/","slug":"startup-pr-business-conferences","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5e6/00f8a5a215e54378b456f/1500-0-","dek":"This article is about the importance of conferences for tech startups PR. Its main goal is to prepare startup founders and young entrepreneurs for tech conferences, and help them with an applying procedure. I have described the most effective approaches that can be implemented by startup founders.","lastModified":"2020-03-04T23:29:00Z","published":"2020-03-04T23:29:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"All article styles - test Article! - 07-24","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/all-article-styles-test-article/","slug":"all-article-styles-test-article","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/5d0/3d13d54d26d2a598b4568/1500-0-","dek":"Use when you need to test different styling options throughout CCM","lastModified":"2019-07-24T21:34:00Z","published":"2019-06-12T07:00:00Z","sponsored":null},{"title":"How to Double the Size of Your Business Overnight With a Merger","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/double-your-business-merger/","slug":"double-your-business-merger","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5e2/b171b9c658a9c668b4571/1500-0-","dek":"Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to have millions of dollars to your name or run a Fortune 500 company to combine your corporation or LLC with another business entity.","lastModified":"2020-01-28T22:00:00Z","published":"2020-01-28T22:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Harnessing Your Wanderlust: How to Be a Successful Digital Nomad","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/harnessing-your-wanderlust-how-to-be-a-successful-digital-nomad/","slug":"harnessing-your-wanderlust-how-to-be-a-successful-digital-nomad","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/channel/business-basics.jpg","dek":"Have you been daydreaming of the big world out there? Become a digital nomad and take your career with you. Here's how.","lastModified":"2015-05-14T13:00:00Z","published":"2015-05-14T13:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Your Guide to Creating a Small Business Marketing Plan","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/sample-marketing-plan-outline-and-template/","slug":"sample-marketing-plan-outline-and-template","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5f3/3e1765a215eb62d8b4567/1500-0-","dek":"Follow these templates and guidelines to get started on creating your business's marketing plan.","lastModified":"2020-08-12T12:28:00Z","published":"2018-03-02T13:00:00Z","sponsored":false}],"relatedReviews":[{"doc_type":"category","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5e14b61c9c658a7e408b4573/schedule_AndreyPopov_getty.jpg","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/categories/employee-scheduling-software/","title":"The Best Employee Scheduling Software of 2021","dek":"Looking for the best employee scheduling software? We've reviewed the best and cheapest programs.","slug":"employee-scheduling-software","lastModified":"2021-03-05T15:55:00Z"},{"doc_type":"category","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5e8747da54d26d471c8b457c/cat-image1.jpg","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/categories/stg-new-megabestpicks-040320201027/","title":"STG New Mega Best Picks Category 04-03-20-10-27","dek":"This is a test meta description for a new Mega Best Picks category that was added on 04-03-20-10-27","slug":"stg-new-megabestpicks-040320201027","lastModified":"2020-04-03T07:00:00Z"},{"doc_type":"category","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5e7e2d0c54d26dba1c8b456b/cat-image1.jpg","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/categories/stg-new-seo-032720201242/","title":"STG New Seo Category 03-27-20-12-42","dek":"This is a test meta description for a new Seo category that was added on 03-27-20-12-42","slug":"stg-new-seo-032720201242","lastModified":"2020-03-27T07:00:00Z"}],"relatedSponsoredArticles":null}},"pageContext":{"displayModified":"2016-09-20T21:00:00.000Z","template":"legacy","title":"5 Simple Solutions for Taking Care of Your Pet When Working Late","meta":{"robots":"index, follow"},"docType":"articles","slug":"5-simple-solutions-for-taking-care-of-your-pet-when-working-late","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/5-simple-solutions-for-taking-care-of-your-pet-when-working-late/","skipTOC":false}},"staticQueryHashes":[]}