From ID tags to toys, here’s what you and your pup need for a productive, tail-wagging day at the office.
Preparation ahead of time can make the workday a great one, especially with your furry friend by your side. Make sure you take the time to determine what you and your pet will need to have a successful day from basic needs to cleaning supplies.
No, we aren’t recommending your dog wear business-ready attire (though there are certainly some cute animal clothes out there), we mean focusing instead on the things they’ll need to be safe while in public. One of the major ones is an identification tag, and by association, a collar. ID tags are incredibly important in case your dog runs off. Good samaritans can use your contact information on the tag to get in touch with you quickly.
🐾For extra protection, we recommend becoming a part of FidoTabbyAlert, which utilizes a network of pet parents to locate lost pets.
Not only is a collar and ID tag important to bring to the office, but you should also bring a leash and harness. Many local laws stipulate that animals have to be leashed when out in public, and while office policies may not necessitate the use of them, you’ll want them on hand just in case. Not only that, but dogs who get anxious might benefit from something like a Thundershirt, which uses compression to calm animals.
When bringing your pet into the office you’ll need to provide for their basic needs. It’s always nice when an office has things like food or water, but you’ll want to take stock of that ahead of time and know what your dog needs to get through the day. When it comes to water and food, always have that on hand, even if your office provides options. Why? Your dog may have specific dietary needs or tastes that aren’t satisfied by whatever your office provides.
Additionally, changes in water can sometimes make a dog’s tummy upset so if you notice your dog isn’t tolerating the office tap water well, try bottled or filtered water.
On top of food and drink, you’ll want to know what the situation is around poop bags. It’s not glamorous in the slightest, but you certainly don’t want to be the only person not picking up after their pet. While many offices that welcome dogs do have poop bags and receptacles on hand, we recommend keeping poop bags handy in case the office provided stock runs out.
An eight-hour workday can be a long one and your pup will surely want to lounge around and nap. While some dogs can do perfectly well sleeping on the floor, the type of floor they’re laying on matters. A carpeted floor is very different from a hard, cold concrete floor, so take that into consideration when deciding whether or not to invest in a dog bed for the office.
There are a few considerations when choosing a dog bed for the office and one is space. Offices aren’t usually the most spacious places, and you’ll want to be considerate of your coworkers and any pets they bring with them. So that XXL super cushy dog bed may not be the best option. Another thing to think about is the material of the bed. We love dogs, but sometimes their smell can stick around and in an office you’ll want to avoid that. So beds that are easy to wash or don’t trap smells easily may be better options.
Another option is to create a “den” of sorts for your dog. This is a darker, quiet spot that they can relax in and can be made up of blankets or a crate/kennel.
One major point about toys in the office is that they can’t be loud. We know that’s hard, especially when most dog toys squeak, crinkle, or make some other manner of noise. If your dog isn’t stimulated by toys that are quiet, they may not be a best fit for the office. For those dogs that do well with quieter toys like chew toys, snuffle mats and puzzles, or stuffed toys without squeakers, we rounded up a few that may be great options.
Accidents are just that, but you should always try to clean them as quickly as possible. When in the office, you’ll want to figure out what cleaning supplies your office already has on hand and whether they’re pet-safe. If they aren’t, speak to office management about getting pet-friendly options in stock and in the meantime, ask if you’re able to bring your own.
Being properly prepared for bringing your dog into the office will make the experience much better for those involved: coworkers, bosses, yourself, and your pet. So determine what your particular pet will need to thrive and have a great day at the office.
