I juggle a busy family. I’m guessing many of you do that, too.

I also love my cats, Newt and Ripley, to absolute pieces, and I’m positive you love your cats, too.

But, sheesh. They sure can plan the exact right moment to walk across your keyboard, knock a (full) glass to the floor, or waggle their butt on Zoom. Not the mention the vocalizing. Right when the school nurse / boss / doctor’s office calls you, the yowling starts. (Or is that just Newt?)

I want my cats to be happy. I want them to be happy AND I still need to get stuff done. So, today, let’s dig into how to keep your cat entertained while you’re working through that miles-long to-do list.

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Set the Foundation for a Happy Cat

Before you can utilize the steps outlined in this post, there are a handful of things that must happen first.

1. You need to meet all of your cat’s basic survival needs. What does that include?
   • Access to ample, clean litter boxes. One box per cat, plus one more.
   • Access to fresh water–ideally from a moving source like a cat water fountain–in multiple locations.
   • Healthy food
2. You need to meet your cat’s connection needs. What does that mean?
   • Your cat truly wants to spend time with you. Some cats prefer play; others want to cuddle. Make sure you’re meeting your cat’s need to spend time with you.
   • Exercise is super important, too. This can include meeting other needs at the same time, like by playing together, or it could include providing cat trees, tunnels or donuts, toys, or a laser pointer (this one’s controversial and cat dependent… check with your vet or trainer).
3. Your cat needs lots of downtime in a stress-free, restful environment. What does that look like?
   • Plenty of places high and low for a nap.
   • Opportunities to rest away from children, dogs, other cats, and other household chaos.
4. Cats need to scratch. Provide lots of choices for scratching posts to deter your cat from scratching your sofa. This is an excellent way to meet your cat’s playful needs, too, with interactive cat scratchers like this sunflower interactive scratching post.

Only after your cat’s foundational needs are met can you look into outsourcing some of your involvement.

Tap Into Your Cat’s Natural Predatory Sequence

Cats are natural hunters. The predatory sequence mimics hunting:

• Your cat spots the prey and crouches down low with big eyes.
• She stalks and chases the prey.
• Then, she pounces and grabs.
• Finally, the kill. This is often when you see your cat “bunny kick” her toys.

Use this instinctive behavior to your advantage because it’s very satisfactory to a cat to complete the predatory sequence.

Provide toys, like toy mice or even crinkled-up newspaper, that your cat can hunt. Or, consider investing in an automatic interactive cat toy that you can break out for your cat when you need to focus on a task that doesn’t require her input!

BTW, this is why a laser toy isn’t recommended for all people and cats. There’s no way for a cat to complete the sequence since she’ll never be able to pounce and grab. One workaround is to always end a play session by swapping the dot for something your cat can grab and kill, like a food-stuffed toy.

Bring the Outdoors in with Sensory Enrichment

Indoor cats live longer lives than outdoor cats. This post won’t get into the arguments for keeping your cat inside; instead, I’m going to assume that you do. If you want to read more about why this matters, check out the book Decoding Your Cat.

However, bringing the outside in can provide your cat with incredible enrichment that can keep her focused and playful while you log into your Teams meeting.

1. Position cat trees or a cat window perch so your cat can watch the activity outside. We have a cat window perch similar to this one in our front window so the girls can watch cars, bikes, school busses, dog walkers, and UPS trucks. I have a cat tree in my office window, which overlooks a tree so they can watch squirrels and birds. There’s a third cat tree in a quiet corner of the living room. They have choices.
2. Layer different scents for olfactory exploration. This can be as simple as bringing cut flowers in from the garden and allowing your cat to sniff to her content. Or, plant catnip or cat grass in a container that you can make available when you want to give your cat something to do–sniffing can be fun and rewarding for your cat. Disclaimer: Ensure the plants are non-toxic. Check the ASPCA’s toxic plants list to be sure.
3. Some people like YouTube channels that portray bird or squirrel watching. I do not, at least not for Newt, for the same reason the laser pointer can be tricky: Your cat can’t complete the predatory sequence. But she might try to and launch herself into your TV. No one wants that! You know your cat best, though, and this could be a good fit for her.
4. Make a sensory basket. Gather up sticks, leaves, flower buds, perhaps a bird feather–whatever you can gather and feel comfortable bringing inside. When you need to focus on a project or a household task, or you need to take a call, spread the items out (or leave them in the basket for your cat to dig!) and allow her to engage, chew, sniff, paw, scratch, etc. If you live somewhere with a cold season, this is super fun with a bowl of snow!

The Power of Rotating Your Cat’s Toys

Regardless of what type of toys your cat prefers, it’s a classic mistake to toss them all into one basket in the living room.

Those toys become part of the landscape and won’t hold your cat’s interest.

Instead, choose a few toys to put out at any given time. Then, stash the rest in a closet or bin. Swap them out every two or three days. If you have big Zoom meetings or phone calls that need your undivided attention, swapping them right before is a great idea because you’ll pique your cat’s curiosity and buy yourself some cat-interruption-free time.

This is especially true if you buy a new toy for your cat. Don’t set it out until you need to take care of another task.

Leverage “Smart Toys” for Focused Work Blocks

There are gobs of “smart toys” for cats on the market right now, but they are not all created equally. For instance, you want to avoid the automatic laser toys and anything that projects an image your cat can’t actually catch and “kill.”

Utilizing appropriate smart toys makes the most sense when you need your cat to be busy but you are unable to play with her, or if you need to redirect your cat from an unwanted behavior (read: sitting on your keyboard during the workday).

3 smart toy options for cats that can help keep her busy while you are also busy:

1. Motion-activated: These toys spring to life when your cat interacts with them. This flapping bat toy keeps cats engaged with chirping noises, along with the motion. And this whack-a-mole cat game also comes with an interactive non-electronic companion game.
2. Treat dispensing: My personal favorite! There are puzzle food dispensing toys or licky mats. There are options to bat around and food dispensing toys designed to be hidden around the house. They keep my cats busy while providing their meal. I love treat and food dispensing toys.
3. Hidden teasers: These types of toys give your cat something to chase, pounce, and bat, but the object usually remains hidden. This is great for cats who love to pounce on their prey because this hidden teaser interactive cat toy has a ball that the cat can actually catch.

Free Download: Want our complete breakdown of battery-operated vs. puzzle toys? Join our email list and instantly receive the free One-Page Smart Cat Toy Cheat Sheet in your welcome email!

Low-Tech, Non-Electronic Interactive Cat Toys

Not everyone wants to integrate smart toys in their pet care. And, for those of us who do, sometimes we forget to charge the darn thing up. (This happens ALL THE TIME with my dog Stola’s automatic ball.)

Add a few non-electronic interactive toys to your toy rotation.

Just before you jump on a call, break out this multi-feature interactive cat toy with dozens of different options for your cat to play with, from diving in and out of the box to batting at the feather and more.

Or, rotate in a scratching post that includes interactive elements. I would recommend something like this spinning carousel cat scratcher and toy combo to be part of your rotation. If you leave it out all the time, your cat might eventually ignore it altogether. But if you pull it out of the closet for a day or two, it’ll be exciting again!

Bookend the Day with Five Minutes of Play

Yes, independent play is great. But it doesn’t supplant YOUR time and attention. Try to play with your cat for five or ten minutes in the morning and then another burst in the evening.

Cats are crepuscular, which means they’re most active at dawn and dusk. That gives you two specific pockets of time to leverage your attention. Then, segue into breakfast or dinner utilizing an interactive feeding puzzle or licky mat to meet all your cat’s enrichment needs!

Get Your Free Guide to Smart Cat Toys

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Violet was two years old. Astrid was three months. Little did I know, we were a couple weeks away from the pandemic.

Once everything shut down, I set my notes aside because my hands were full of other things.

But it kept calling to me.

So, I set my alarm for 5 am each morning and chipped away at words until one or both tiny humans awoke.

This was the mood board I created when I was drafting, and I pinned this with a pic of the boys above my desk:

Between 2020 and my book coming out in September 2025, I wrote and rewrote it six times. I pitched agents and took calls with potential partners. My agent pitched publishers. The publishing process was a roller coaster. And, now, here we are. Almost one year after the book finally came out.

Now, as I approach the one-year anniversary of FOR THE LOVE OF DOG, I’m reflecting on everything I’ve learned and how different the reality of publishing looks from the outside.

4 Things I Didn’t Know About Publishing Before I Published a Book

Because I didn’t fully understand these until I had a book on the market!

1. Unless you’re John Green or Rebecca Yarros, the marketing is on you. Outreach to indie bookstores, event planning, and promotion fall squarely on the writer’s shoulders.
2. Returning a book costs the author money. As in, the big “read and return” trend on social media? Every time someone reads a book and returns it to the bookstore, the author has to pay for the return out of his or her royalties.
3. Reviews matter more than almost anything else. Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, StoryGraph… wherever you read books, the reviews factor into the algorithm of that platform for when/if you’re shown. Unfortunately, Amazon’s reviews and to a lesser extent Goodreads’ reviews help drive sales of books, too.
4. The timeline to profitability is long. Authors don’t get paid until they’ve either earned out their advance or earned out their portion of the expenses in a profit-sharing deal. So, as I near my book birthday, I still haven’t made anything.

And if I’m being very honest, I’m feeling kind of blue about a lot of this. However, I’m not one to wallow. I’m revising my marketing plan and developing a more robust PR plan. In the meantime, I’m also planning on giving away copies, just for fun and to celebrate.

Want to Help Celebrate?

1. Leave a review! Seriously, this is THE BIGGEST thing that can help an author. It’s the make-or-break of book sales.
2. Request it at your local library: Most libraries have a simple online request form. It costs you nothing, but supports both the book and community access!
3. Give a copy as a gift: Consider picking up a paperback, ebook, or audiobook for the dog lover in your life.

Here’s how I’m planning on structuring the giveaways (please note this is the draft version so subject to change):

1. 3 books on Instagram following the ‘gram’s super specific giveaway rules + another 2 copies once I hit 2,000 followers
2. 3 books on Facebook, probably for a photo contest
3. 3 books here on OMD, likely with a Raffle widget
4. 3 books on Substack

Other opportunities

• If you know anyone who hosts a TV show or podcast, I’m free to talk anytime!
• Same for bookstores! Or libraries! I’ve done tons of library visits this year and will make time for as many as will host me!
• A READING GUIDE! Someone at a library this past weekend asked me for one. She wanted to share it with her book club. It had never occurred to me to make a reading guide, so I’m outlining it this week and should have it ready soon. Want a copy? Want to share it with your book club? Want me to call into your book club or visit in person? Leave a comment!

Thank you so much for being here and supporting this journey from my 5 AM scribbles to real bookshelves. Have you read the book yet? What questions do you have about the publishing process?

And then I wondered: Can dogs even have ADHD?

So, of course, I dug into the question and in this article, I’ll break down some key definitions, look at considerations, and discuss the inherent problems with the existing research. But, before we dig in, two notes:

1. Do not give your dog stimulants. If you or your kid takes ADHD meds, don’t give them to your dog. Ever. Consult with your vet for a diagnosis and plan.
2. I am not a vet. This post is for informational purposes only.

So, let’s dig into the big question: Do dogs get ADHD?

First, some definitions:

Before we get into the nitty-gritty about ADHD, it’s important to remember that ADHD is simply one neurotype, and there are many, many neurotypes. So, three things we need to understand before we dig into our dogs’ neurotypes:

• Neurotype: Everyone has a specific neurotype. It’s the way your individual brain processes information, sensory input, and communication. Neurotypes exist on a spectrum. On one end is what is considered “neurotypical,” which simply means that it’s a brain with typical neurological development and the ability to align with societal and cultural expectations. The rest of the spectrum is what’s considered “neurodivergent,” which just means anything different from that neurotypical brain. Nearly everyone falls outside the typical range, some more than others.
• Neurodiversity: Simply put, this means the huge spectrum of different brains. It encompasses all the ways each unique brain interacts with, understands, processes, and learns about the world. No two brains (human or canine!) operate in the exact same way.
• ADHD: “ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which means it shapes how the brain develops and functions. It affects the parts of the brain responsible for executive function: the ability to plan, organize, and carry out tasks. This includes being able to maintain focus and attention and being able to manage impulses and emotions.” source ADHD is a distinct neurotype with symptoms that impact daily life, and while many of those symptoms are the same in people with this neurotypes, no two ADHDers are alike.
• Autistm: Another neurotypes. “Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.” source 

Why am I including autism in this discussion? Many signs of ADHD and ASD overlap. Many co-occur. In humans, sometimes it’s tough to pull the threads to determine which condition (or both) a person has. I imagine the same would be true with our dogs, even though their frontal lobes are smaller relative to their brain size compared to humans. So, I think it’s important to not only ask about ADHD but also ASD.

Your neurotype–and your dog’s neurotype–is unique to you. Even if you’re a neurotypical person, you still have learning differences or sensory differences from other neurotypical people.

Maybe the bigger question should be: Are dogs neurodivergent? So…

Can dogs be neurodivergent?

Neurodiversity has been considered part of the human condition, rarely (never?) considered for our animal friends. But do you think all dogs have the same brain?

Of course not.

In fact, I’d argue that it’s pretty audacious to even imply that all dogs’ brains work the same. It stands to reason, then, that no two dogs have the same neurotype.

In our human landscape, neuro-affirming policies and accommodations are becoming more accessible. Think: noise-cancelling headphones, medication, fidgets, different types of chairs, quiet spaces in public areas, occupational therapy, and so on. I wish these accommodations were more widely accepted or understood, but we are making forward progress.

(Quick aside to anyone who thinks none of this applies to them: I don’t think I’ve ever met a single person who doesn’t have texture preferences with food. Or type of socks. Or overhead versus table lamp. I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who doesn’t have a strength for learning via listening over reading or vice versa. There are so many facets and so many sensory systems that most of us never learned about that I sincerely doubt anyone can honestly come into the comments and say, “NOT ME.”)

If you’ve loved multiple dogs, you know intuitively that none of them think the same or process their environment the same. Even if you adopt your dogs at the same time, even if they’re from the same litter, they will have different brains with unique operations. While we can’t give them assessments, we can observe their behavior and their interactions with the environment and draw conclusions.

The conclusion that I’ve drawn is that, yes, there is neurodiversity within the canine kingdom.

To me that seems obvious, but I have spent the last almost decade learning about this stuff through the human members of my family, so I do not take it for granted that this isn’t obvious to everyone. All brains are good brains, and all brains are different.

What do the studies show?

These big questions always have to come back to the research.

What does the data show about dogs and neurodiversity?

One study showed that dogs who have anxiety have measurable differences in their brains compared to non-anxious dogs.

Another study showed a potential genetic connection to autism in beagles: “For example, some beagle dogs have a mutation in a gene called Shank3, which is linked with autism in humans and often characterised by difficulties in social interactions. Beagles with the Shank3 mutation also exhibit low desire to interact with people. It turns out that they have reduced cell to cell signalling in regions of the brain linked with attention.” source

There are dozens of other studies that show analogous behaviors, genetic markers, and more–but no comprehensive or conclusive study to create a diagnostic path for ADHD, autism, or similar. And, it’s important to remember that our pet dogs might have life experiences like abuse or neglect that contribute to behaviors that could also be attributed to a non-typical neurotype. Just like humans.

So, can dogs have ADHD?

Recently studies on the neuroscience of dogs do show that, yes, there is neurodiversity among our pups (I mean, to no one’s shock, really…), but we’re far from diagnosing our pups with ADHD or autism. It’s worth a quick note that, while veterinary behaviorists can diagnose true clinical hyperactivity (called hyperkinesis), it’s incredibly rare.

Regardless.

No two brains are the same. We know this. Rather than focusing on a diagnosis, the bigger, more important question should be: How can we be neuro-affirming for our dogs? (This applies to humans, too. The world needs to affirm more diversity. This could be an entirely other post…) Where to start:

1. First, rule out any medical issues. Always start with the vet and a comprehensive exam.
2. Then, consider behavioral challenges like boredom and under-stimulation. (A few tips on this at the bottom of this post).
3. Finally, address environmental factors that can accommodate your dog’s specific needs.

Does it matter if dogs are autistic or if dogs have ADHD?

Not really, not if we can figure out our own pet dog’s sensory needs, anxiety profile, exercise requirements, and more–all to help our dogs be happier and healthier overall. Whether Stola actually needs a doggy stimulant or just a better sensory outlet, what matters is figuring out what our pets need and finding ways to deliver on that. For our kids and our human friends and family, we find ways to provide the things they need, whether it’s fidgets or low lighting or less food dye or sensory breaks or exercise. We owe our dogs the same, in my opinion!

If you have a dog who struggles to stay regulated, here are a few of my favorite sensory and engagement tools and resources that help keep a busy brain (like Stola’s!) focused:

• These are the absolute best for playing sniffing games or active fun like weaves and jumps.
• A touch stick really helps keep a dog focused in all kinds of contexts.
• This post from back during the social distancing days links to resources with more than 30 ideas to keep your dog from being bored.
• For the over-stimulated dog, window cling to block distractions.
• For the under-stimulated dog, an automatic bouncing and rolling ball. I do not have this… yet. It is at the TOP of my Stola wish list!

So, what do you think? Have you considered this before, perhaps if you have a dog who seems to be wired a little differently? Or, if you’ve never thought about neurodiversity with your dog, has this sparked any thoughts, ideas, or questions? Please share in the comments–I’d love to learn from you!

If you enjoyed this post, you’ll LOVE my book For the Love of Dog, available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, or anywhere you prefer to buy books!

A disclaimer: Not all books are for all readers. I selected a wide array so that you can hopefully find one that sounds good to you. I also included two links to find these titles online, but I always suggest visiting your local bookstore first, especially for the books that are pre-orders! Shop local where possible!

Let’s get started, shall we?

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Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known by Scott Simon

Yep, that Scott Simon, and if you’re an NPR listener, I promise you will find yourself reading this book with his voice in your head.

This narrative is a memoir of sorts. We learn about Scott, his family, and his work through the animals who have entered and exited his life. It’s told in short bursts. Most of the chapters are micro-essays, running only a few pages and sometimes only a paragraph. This makes it easy to dip in and out, but it doesn’t lessen the emotional resonance or the connection you’ll feel to someone who loves animals as much as he clearly does. Even though on the surface the stories are centered around the animals, it’s also an examination of Scott’s family life and his professional life. The Sarajevo essays are particularly poignant.

Who is this for? Heartfelt, sometimes joyful and sometimes sad, these essays are a must-read for anyone who loves their animals with a side of whimsy. Parents, especially adoptive parents like me: Come to this book with a few tissues tucked in your pocket.

Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Poking the Squid by Perrin Roosevelt Ireland

This book. Where do I begin? As you likely know by now, I am a HUGE animal behavior nerd. This is my favorite book in the bunch.

Graphic nonfiction is such an underappreciated genre, in my opinion. This one, in particular, shines. It’s filled with an incredible depth of information about the biodiversity of how animals form relationships, mate, and more. I never knew how interested I would become in albatross or prairie voles, among many others. Poking the Squid delivers a delightful, quirky, and illuminating look at animal diversity through vivid comics and deeply-researched details. (I reviewed the ARC, which is in black and white, but I believe the final hard copy will be in full color, which is very exciting!)

Who is this for? I’d LOVE to say everyone, but I think this book is for anyone who is fascinated by the natural world and who wants to learn about the latest discoveries in this newer scientific field.

Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

10 Spiritual Lessons You Can Learn from Your Dog and 10 Spiritual Lessons You Can Learn from Your Cat by Joanna Sandsmark

Two different but similar books round out these recommendations. Both of these pretty, small hardcovers deliver life advice from the dog’s and cat’s perspective. Rather than a religious spirituality, these delightfully-illustrated books weave together quotes and lessons designed to help the reader feel more dog- or cat-like. They’re easy to flip through and glean some insight or idea unique to our beloved pets.

Who are these for? If you’re looking for a perfect gift for the dog or cat lover in your life, look no further. (hint, hint for any Father’s Day gifts for pet-loving dads) Or, if you’d like something small you can tuck into a bag or to accompany your journaling, these are it.

Dog book available on Amazon and Bookshop.org.

Cat book available on Amazon and Bookshop.org.

The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency by Michael Hogan

Surprisingly, the only new novel on this list!

When a dog walker’s canine charges discover a dead body, the police are called in, but something’s not adding up. So, a motley mix of dog walkers put their heads together to solve the crime as more mysteries mount. This is the type of summer novel that you can toss into a beach bag for a day at the pool or on the sand; it’s long enough to keep you occupied, but light enough that you can dip in and out.

Who is this for? Fans of funny thrillers, cozy mysteries with an edge of darkness, and–of course–canine shenanigans. Must love puns and word play.

Available on Amazon and Bookshop.org.

Unleashed: How to Bring Out the Best in Your Dog by Jaime Goodrich

Summer is the perfect season to squeeze in extra dog training time. If you’re hoping to dig into some training this summer with your pup, pick this one up.

Unleashed establishes a beginner-friendly foundation for dog training rooted in best practice. It covers everything from polite walking and house training to separation anxiety and aggressive behavior. Little sketches throughout illustrate the concepts, and worksheets in the back of the book help you apply the learning immediately.

Who is this for? First-time dog owners would benefit tremendously from this. Also, anyone who loves to read more dog training perspectives and tips to round out existing knowledge, this one’s for you. An excellent, accessible reference to have on hand.

Available on Amazon and Bookshop.org.

King the Wonder Dog and Other Stories by Eleanor Lerman

Short stories are the perfect thing for summer: You can dip in and out while pushing a swing or supervising the pool. When you have pockets of time, you can read a short story and experience the entire arc of the narrative–even if you’re sitting in your car in the summer camp pickup line.

These stories feature older protagonists and their relationships with dogs. Most center around themes of healing, being seen and understood, and the restorative power of the human-dog bond. You’ll likely need a few tissues on hand for several of the stories.

Who is this for? Set in contemporary New York and featuring older adults, this collection is perfect for literary readers who appreciate reflective stories about people and their dogs. Highly recommend!

Available on Amazon and Bookshop.org.

The 7 best animal books of summer 2026…

At least, for now! I didn’t get any YA or picture books this time around, which is a big gap. I’m on the hunt for what’s coming next for younger readers, so stay tuned here or on Instagram for what I find.

In the meantime, I’d love to know: What’s on your TBR for this summer? Please share in the comments along with which of these seven you’d like to read!

I’d be remiss in a book post not to include a little call-out for my own book.

If you’re looking to deepen your bond with your dog, my book For the Love of Dog explores the science and heart behind how we connect with our best friends with stories about me and my dogs Emmett, Lucas, and Cooper.

Click here to grab your copy on Amazon or here for Bookshop.org.

It’s also available on audio if you prefer to read with your ears!