Learn how to determine if your pet is office-ready with these considerations.
It’s an amazing thing when you’re able to bring your dog to work. After all, who wouldn’t want to spend more time with their furry best friend? But bringing your dog to your place of business comes with a lot of responsibility that you’ll need to be aware of. From ensuring they don’t disrupt others' work days to making sure your pup gets taken out when they need to, we explore how to determine if your dog is ready to follow you to your 9-5.
As much as we’d love it if they were, not all companies welcome pets. This can be for many reasons, and most tend to fall within the bounds of the company’s lease agreement with their landlord. Pets can be a risk that some landlords don’t want to take on and we have to respect that. Other companies may simply not want the hassle of pets, even if they’re allowed in the building. However, plenty of companies are open to the idea, if not already fully embracing it.
If your company is all in for allowing pets into the office, be sure to ask them about any pet policies they may have in place. This would identify any species (most will welcome dogs, but some could agree to cats), breeds, size, age, or other characteristics that are prohibited. There might also be special considerations to keep dogs away from certain employees who may have allergies.
If bringing your pet to work is incredibly important to you—important enough to choose a job based off of it—then there are a few things you should look for from a company. This can be a game changer in how you and your dog will be treated versus one that’s simply pet-friendly. This includes things like: designated play areas, complimentary poop bags and treats, and even toys. The most pet-perfect workplaces will likely be those that are pet specific companies, but there are plenty of other companies that are more than happy to welcome wagging tails.
Regardless of what amenities your company may offer when it comes to pets, if you want to bring your pet and your company allows it, bring them. With a few caveats, of course.
Pets in the workplace should be well-behaved and respectful of others. After all, it is a place of business that requires concentration and focus. Plus, your dog shouldn’t be anyone’s problem, even if they are adorable.
Socialization is so important to a pet’s well-being and it colors the way they interact with other animals and people in a big way. Getting that training when they’re young is ideal, but socialization can work at any age. The point is to help your pet develop confidence, good manners, and an even temperament in a variety of situations.
In an office you’re surrounded by other people and potentially other animals. It’s a loud, unfamiliar environment that can be overwhelming for your pet so ensuring they have extensive socialization and desensitization training really does matter.
Now, most offices that do welcome pets will welcome dogs with open arms and no other species of animal. But some might be open to other animals and cats can be great office companions! Just like dogs, cats are socialized, and when done from the time they’re a kitten, a cat can grow up to be an incredible work buddy. That means introducing them to new textures, sounds, animals, foods, and people. Not only does a well-socialized cat make for a fabulous business partner, but it also makes trips to the vet so much easier.
A well-trained pet won’t disrupt the flow of a workday and won’t be a distraction to your coworkers. Remember that bringing a pet to work is a privilege, and it's also something you chose to do. Not every coworker will want to be around your pet or interact with them, so having a well-behaved pet ensures everyone has a good day.
If you’re wondering whether your pet is trained well enough to take into the office, consider whether they can do the below classes.
Potty training is one of the first things you’ll want to do when you get a dog. This promotes cleanliness and helps your dog get on a routine, which helps them map out their day. Your dog’s age can change how you go about potty training, but we have tips on how to potty train puppies as well as older dogs.
Accidents happen. Sometimes it's inevitable, but you should be prepared to clean up any mess that occurs whether it's pee or poop. Animal urine and excrement can be dangerous, not only to other pets in the vicinity but to people as well. Don’t yell at your pet if they have an accident. Instead, keep reiterating and reinforcing their training.
Cats have different bathroom habits than dogs, which might make it tricker to have them in the office. Our best advice is to bring a disposable litter pan. It's easy to get rid of when you no longer need it, and if your cat has an upset stomach, you can quickly remove it before it begins to smell. We recommend monitoring your cat's water and food intake to ensure they don’t have to go in their box too often.
Your pet’s health is the first priority when considering whether or not to have them in the office—not only for their benefit, but for the benefit of other animals and people in the office. A sick pet can get worse when taken on a field trip, and you risk getting another animal sick, too.
There are several things to keep in mind when ensuring whether your pet’s health is up to standard to take out in public, and that includes:
Also, keep in mind that some brachycephalic dog breeds can make a lot of noise when breathing due to their shortened airways. This can be distracting to some people in the same way that a very vocal Siberian Husky would be.
When approaching the idea of taking dogs to work with us, we need to be realistic. Will our dog enjoy it and behave for eight hours? Will you be too distracted worrying about them to be productive? These are important considerations when making the decision, but make sure that your dog is in a good place temperamentally and behaviorally and that you can handle the added responsibility.
Pet-friendly workplaces welcome pets and create a safe, inclusive environment for them. That can include a workplace that has a pet policy and enforces it, amenities for pets, access to food and water bowls, and places for pets to go to the bathroom. But even if your office isn’t pet-perfect in this regard, your dog can still have a great time by your side so long as you do the proper prep work.
Great question! There’s not an exact number as this isn’t something companies have to report on, but the number of companies that welcome pets in offices is on the rise.
There’s not a specific set of standards regarding pets in the workplace from OSHA’s perspective, but you should use your best judgment and heed any pet policies and rules that your company or the building owner puts into place.
That depends on what company you work for and which office you work in but most of the time, it requires pet owners to vouch for their dog’s temperament and behavior to be able to come into the office. Some offices have pet policies (like short-term rentals might), which you may have to sign to acknowledge you understand the rules. But other times it's fairly lax.
