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24 Fun Things To Distract Your Pet While You Work From Home
Because it’s so hard to *not* cuddle with them when you should be responding to emails.We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as…
Because it’s so hard to *not* cuddle with them when you should be responding to emails.
We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1.
An automatic water fountain to capture your curious kitty’s attention and keep them hydrated at the same time, especially if you can’t get up in the middle of video calls to refill their water bowl.
The fountain holds 2.5L of water and actually has three ~very fun~ water flow modes: flower waterfall; flower bubble; and gentle fountain. It also comes with three replacement filters and a mat.
Promising review: “My cat likes to drink out of the toilet. I bought her a $60 stainless-steel teardrop fountain which she never used (not to mention how loud it is). I tried closing the toilet to force her to drink out of it, but then she resorted to meowing next to the sink. So I asked my sister, who is a vet, what I should do. She suggested a flower fountain since cats are more inclined to drink out of them. This thing is amazing. It is DEAD silent with the flower cap on, and without it it has a nice waterfall sound. My cat, even with the toilet bowl open, consistently chooses to drink from this. It’s been a lifesaver. I honestly do not have a single bad thing to say about this.” —Minno Durkin
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two colors).
2.
This adorable stuffed duck so your pup can satiate their cuddling needs until you close your laptop for the day and can join them.
Promising review: “My dog Hazel LOVES this duck! She has had it for nine months now, and it’s still intact! It somehow made it through her teething as a puppy. She rips and tears apart all of her toys, but this one still looks decent!” —Emily A
Get it from Amazon for $7.34.
3.
A purring cat toy to help you focus on meeting work deadlines instead of worrying too much about your anxious kitty the entire time. This purple plush has a built-in purring mechanism so your cat can enjoy the sensation of curling up to another purring “cat.”
It also plays calming, comforting sounds.
Promising review: “Works like a charm! I recently found myself a cat mama of an abandoned week-old kitten. I bought this knowing she needed just something to cuddle up to in her bed. Turns out it basically hypnotizes her to sleep. She crawls to it, kneads it and eventually her meows turn to silence. I wish the purring lasted longer but for $10 it is a lifesaver. She’s pooped on it a couple times so I’ve had to throw it in the washer and dryer minus the battery pack. It’s held up great.” —S Leytem
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
4.
This cat dancer toy that’ll make entertaining your feline friend so easy that even your siblings (who your cat normally never goes near) will be able to hold their attention while you respond to all those work emails.
Promising review: “I have a whole room filled with cat toys that my cat is not interested in. It’s funny how the least expensive cat toy I have makes him go crazy. He plays with this until he’s panting like a dog and I have never seen him jump so high. I’m certain this toy will help him lose his belly. He loves it! I highly recommend it!” —Kwoo
Get it from Amazon for $2.09.
5.
A squirrel-hiding toy that your dog will quickly become obsessed with, thus allowing you to get through your morning meeting at the dining room table without any noise from your pup.
Amazon, amazon.com
Seriously, pups LOVE this thing! It has 8,500 positive reviews — which means a lot of people took the time out to review a dog toy, guys. Eighty-five hundred! It’s available in three different sizes, so your furry bundle of joy can find the one that perfectly fits their needs.
Promising review: “I purchased this for a 10lb. pup who loves toys and it was a hit. She was into it immediately and eventually carried it in the other room so she could play without us bothering her. We’ve had it for months and she still likes it. She carries the squirrels around with her (very cute). All the pieces have held together really well and all the squeakers still work.” —Kylie
Get it from Amazon for $9.72 (also available in large and extra-large sizes for $13.59+ and in four additional styles).
6.
This challenging puzzle that encourages your pet to exercise their brain (while you exercise yours on those complicated work probs) and rewards them with treats.
This is a seriously intense puzzle! It challenges dogs and cats to open drawers with the help of loops and sliders, and the difficulty only goes up from there. It will definitely keep your pet entertained (and probably everyone else in your home as well).
Promising review: “As a pet parent to three rescues and a foster, we bought a few dog puzzles of various levels to see what would best engage and entertain them. This has been the pack favorite and ours as we can easily adapt it to each dog’s level of skill. We appreciate how well made it is and would recommend it highly. Some reviews expressed concerns over dogs with larger snouts being unable to access treats in these toys. We have a Labrador, pit mix (like a miniature pit), Basenji mix, and German shepherd mix. They range in size from about 25 lbs to 75 lbs and have all enjoyed this toy!” —Liz Cooper
Get it from Amazon for $14.83+ (available in five styles and three skill levels).
7.
A leafy cat condo so your ferocious feline can feel like they’re exploring the great outdoors while you type work reports undisturbed right in your living room.
Not only will this cat condo give your kitty a fun place to hide/climb/hang out in, but it will add some much-needed greenery to your home.
Promising review: “At first, our cat wouldn’t climb onto it, even with coaxing her with treats and catnip. We think it might have had a smell or something about it from the container. But now, it’s her FAVORITE part of the house, she’s on it all the time! It was pretty easy to assemble and is a really cool cat tree. We didn’t want a carpeted tree, and the extra foliage fits nicely in our house!” —The Queen of Anneland
Get it from Amazon for $124.49+ (available with a square or round base and in four sizes).
8.
This interactive ball launcher to allow your pup to still play fetch all day long without constantly gazing up at you with sad eyes begging for a toss when you have emails to write up.
Amazon
Promising review: “My dogs love it! I have two small dogs and when it is too cold or wet outside and they can’t go out, this is how we play. I aim the launcher toward the hallway and they chase after it and bring ball back to me every time. I use two balls and as one is brought to me, I launch the next. Keeps them busy and tires them out so I get a little peace and quiet on cold or rainy days. Still working on getting dogs to drop the ball into machine but it works out great. I purchased Kong Air Balls in extra small-size as replacements when other balls are chewed or lost. They are cheaper to replace and work well with the machine and are a bit sturdier.” —Medinagirl
Get it from Amazon for $115+ (available in two sizes).
9.
This interactive cat tower toy that’s simply *purr-fect* for entertaining your fuzzy feline so they won’t use their paws for de-facing the furniture (and you won’t have to get up every five minutes to stop them).
This fun tower features multi-level tracks that will keep your kitty entertained for hours as they bat balls around. It’s suitable for one or more cats and will help them have a more active lifestyle. AND think of all the great IG content you’ll get!
Promising review: “This is by far the best investment in a toy that I have ever made for my cat. He loves interacting with it and did not like other ball chasers in the past. Balls glide around smoothly. Cat’s paws don’t get stuck in the tracks. Balls are brightly colored and easy to see for my one-eyed little boy who has depth perception issues with his vision. I hear him playing with it at least a few times a day, and I tell you the god’s honest truth, as I’m writing this review, he just went over and laid next to it and swatted a ball, just this minute!” —Fussy New Yorker
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
10.
A turbo scratcher because even though you reaaaally want to, you just can’t break your focus every 30 seconds to give your kitty tummy scratches.
amazon.com, Amazon
It has a channel for a small ball your cat can nudge with its nose or shove with its paw around the circular scratchpad, and over 5,521 Amazon customers have given it a five-star rating, so you know it’s the real deal.
Promising review: “Can I give this 10 stars? My mom ordered this for my cat Felicia who can come and go as she pleases via a cat door. I originally thought there’s no way it would hold her interest because she’s used to chasing, catching, torturing, and halfway eating living creatures. Boy was I wrong! That dang ball is like the elusive prey she can’t quite disable, she will play with it hardcore for 15 minutes straight then go catch a lizard for satisfaction and come back and try to kill the ball. She’s absolutely hilarious with this toy!” —Riverlivin
Get it from Amazon for $8.42.
11.
A durable set of rope toys your doggos can chew, tug, and toss to their hearts’ content even when you aren’t yet able to play along.
Promising review: “These were great for my puppy. The sizes go up basically in thickness, and so the toy grows with her in that regard (while she doesn’t outgrow the earlier sizes). The price is super affordable, and they are tough! My puppy is an avid chewer and these items have survived many tug-o-wars thus far.” —Colleen Sinclair
Get it from Amazon for $11.87
12.
And this stuffing-less toy playful puppies can chew on without making a complete mess of your living room. In other words, you won’t have to step away from your computer to clean feathers or stuffing off of your carpet.
Promising review: “Not the best-looking toy on the planet, but it doesn’t bother my dog any, and it doesn’t bother me either! It’s long and easy for him to grab, so he loves playing tug-o-war with it, and the squeakers are an added bonus. The fact that he didn’t destroy it the first time he played with it is a plus. It seems sturdy and I like that it will last a while. I would definitely purchase this product again!” —Franquie
Get it from Amazon for $7.78+ (available in six sizes and 13 styles).
13.
A catnip-filled fruit your cat might actually go ~bananas~ for so *you* don’t have to go bananas trying to stop them from ripping your work files to shreds.
amazon.com, Amazon
Not only is this just a funny toy for cat parents to enjoy, but it is a top-rated product on Amazon. With 4.5 stars and over 1,700 five-star reviews, this is a must-have toy for any cat owner.
Promising review: “I decided to buy this for my cat after she stayed at our pet sitter’s house and played all day with one of these bananas there. This is by far the greatest toy I have ever purchased for her. She just spent the last 2.5 hours playing with it with no breaks. Normally she sticks with a toy for about 10 minutes before returning to a nap.” —Meg
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
14.
And don’t forget about this coco fiber ball because although your bunny could really use some playtime, you don’t want them running across your keyboard and accidentally sending notes that read “sihfsifjaodjuefiejafecn” in your work messaging system.
Amazon
It’s perfect for playtime and will help floss their teeth at the same time!
Promising review: “My bunny is obsessed with this ball! He likes to chew it, and plays catch with it. And it’s still in really good condition after a couple months of use!” —Joanne
Get it from Amazon for $9.70.
15.
A secret hideaway with a fun ladder made of natural materials your hamster or bird will enjoy hopping up and down in. When you’re done typing for the day, you can even use this to play peek-a-boo with them!
Promising review: “This is such a fun find for my budgie. She loves to whistle or talk in it, I think she likes the echo. I catch her sleeping in there too, just adorable! She is an English budgie, so yours will fit in there too. Advice: She wasn’t sure at first but I made sure the ladder was secure enough to ensure her confidence, and also put some spray millet in there and it didn’t take long before she liked it.” —Candace
Get it from Amazon for $10.97.
16.
A chewable carrot kebab your bunny can chew on instead of loudly pattering about in their cage, rendering you unable to hear yourself type.
Promising review: “My bunnies (picky and spoiled) really like this toy. They managed to chew off the end already, so the little pieces came off of the kebab. They still play with/chew the smaller pieces. I’ve had about three or four of these for my rabbits over time now; it’s a good go-to toy for them. The toy has a little clip so you can hang it in their hutch; I just leave it on the ground where they can find it, and they still have fun with it.” —Talie
Get it from Amazon for $1.25.
17.
A Wobble Wag Giggle ball that’s not your average ball — it emits funny giggle noises every time it’s shaken or rolled so your dog can have fun booping it ’till they just wanna rest.
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amazon.com, Amazon
All your dog has to do is nudge the ball with their nose to get it going. It shakes, wiggles, and makes sounds that will have your pup engaged immediately. They’ll be able to knock it around with their paws thanks to the many clutch pockets. It’s sure to be a winner in your home.
Promising review: “I have a seven-month-old corgi puppy and this was his favorite toy out of all his toys he got for Christmas! He loves it so much that I have to put it up and away just so I can sleep. It’s sturdy and not too noisy (I live in an apartment). His toy preference is for toys that make noise instead of plush toys without squeakers. It’s lasted a whole week of play without any problems, unlike another toy he already tore up, so it seems durable, at least for small to medium breeds.” —Amanda
Get it from Amazon for $8.74+ (also available as a glow-in-the-dark version).
18.
Or this treat ball with adjustable difficulty levels so your smart little fluff ball won’t ever get bored playing with it. Plus, you won’t have to get up to give your pup a snack all the time (leaving you with enough time to check off three back-to-back video calls, 20 work emails, and an unfinished project).
Amazon, amazon.com
What dog or cat doesn’t want a toy they can play with for hours upon and hours that also rewards them with treats? This simple ball will keep your pet happy all day long. Added bonus? It’s super easy to clean!
Promising review: “Absolutely love this toy. I have a 5-month-old 30-pound Labradoodle and she enjoys playing games rather than sitting and chewing on something. I fill the toy with her dog food or small treats and she will play with it until there are no treats left. It is worth the price, buy it!” —AOlesky
Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in two sizes).
19.
This piñata toy that’ll keep your chatty parrot quiet while you dial into conference calls all day long. They can shred and peck at this toy to their little hearts’ content.
Promising review: “Parrots need to have things to destroy to keep them happy. They are not simply contented with plastic, non-destructible toys, they need to shred and chew things. Some wood toys will suit their need to chew things up — but other toys, like this one, fulfill their needs to destroy and shred things. I’ve had these before and my bird loves to tear them apart. It keeps him busy and content for hours and quieter. If you’re new to parrot keeping don’t buy toys on the basis of longevity alone, but things that they can destroy to fulfill their need for more active chewing activities. I like the piñata because not only does it fulfill the shredding need but it also lasts a lot longer than other shreddable toys. Sometimes it may take a few days for them to get into them, but they provide good activity and are longer lasting.” —Tomsde
Get it from Amazon for $6.51+ (available in five sizes).
20.
A virtually indestructible Kong toy so your pup can finally get their chewing fix without attacking your shoes (and thus forcing you to spend your lunch break prying your sneakers out of their mouths).
There’s a hole in the bottom of the toy for you to fill with any treat of your choosing.
Promising review: “Kongs are to dogs what Candy Crush is to humans. No, seriously. You pull the Kong out and they get this crazed, hyper-focused look on their faces and you know the fun is about to start! Stuff it with treats, peanut butter, cheese whiz, or literally nothing at all — it doesn’t matter, your dog will go crazy for this toy, particularly if they’re a chewer or chaser! They’re great for fetch, and (shhh — don’t tell my dog) I particularly like pulling ours out when I can see my Boston terrier Xander wants to play but I’m too busy with housework (or Facebook) to throw the same ball over and over and over.” —berlee
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in five sizes).
21.
This cat hammock you can set up under a chair so instead of forcing you to pause your work calls for soothing back rubs, your cat can pretend they’re swaying in a hammock on the beach with a sea breeze wafting the smell of tuna in their faces.
Promising review: “When you buy something for your cat, you wonder, ‘Am I a total idiot? What if my cat turns up his wet, furry little nose at this?’ Well, I wondered the same thing. A cat crib? You gotta be kidding! Sure, it looks cute — all those potentially posed photos of cats lounging luxuriously in their posh, kitty-sized hammocks. No way will this work. But guess what? Not only do my cats LOVE it. They more or less duke it out to see who can claim the cat crib first. And yes, b’gosh, it’s cute. One cat is chunky (20 pounds!) and one is skinny (8 pounds) and they both adore it.” —BroderWriter
Get it from Amazon for $19.98+ (available in two colors).
22.
A stimulating activity mat, because a bored pup is bound to get into trouble — aka knock your laptop over, bark incessantly while you’re on a call with your boss… you get the picture.
With this, you can keep your doggos entertained and challenged, especially if you hide treats and kibble in it.
Promising review: “My puppy LOVES this mat! He gets super excited whenever he sees it. He sometimes doesn’t like to eat his kibbles in his bowl, but he has so much fun finding and eating kibbles when I hide them into this mat. I heard nose work is also good for reducing separation anxiety in dogs, so I give him this mat whenever I need to leave more than two hours. He deals with separation way better with this. I’m 100% satisfied!” —Bom
Get it from Amazon for $29.97+ (available in two sizes).
23.
This tunnel to help your guinea pig, ferret, hedgie, and other small pet get a little exercise while they wait for mommy or daddy to step away from the computer screen and go cuddle with them.
Promising review: “I don’t really do reviews often but my piggies LOVE this tube toy. My black and white piggy named Yoshi likes to hide in it while Mojo runs around and plays. It’s adjustable with Velcro tabs so you can make it into a shape or keep it as a straight tube. It can be compacted so it’s easier to store. Plus it’s easy to clean!” —brittnee newell
Get it from Amazon for $9.90+ (available in two sizes).
24.
Finally, this ~paw-sitively~ adorable pet cake kit (even if it isn’t actually their birthday!) sure to turn their frown upside down because while you’ve been working diligently from the couch, your pooch might’ve felt like you’ve been ignoring them. 😢
The kit includes a reusable, bone-shaped baking pan, a packet of carob cake mix, a packet of yogurt frosting, and one adorable party candle. The mixes don’t contain corn, wheat, soy, sugar, salt, or preservatives (yay!), plus, you can add some peanut butter to the mix for an extra yummy dessert that shows that while things may be a little confusing now, you haven’t forgotten your pet.
Promising review: “This couldn’t have been easier to make and no mess! I can’t speak to the flavor myself, but my doggos ate it right up! The mold is reusable. I set aside a whole hour to ‘bake’ this treat; turns out it only took a couple of minutes zapped in the microwave” —Annie Mayo
Get it from Amazon for $7.60.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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