Anyone who happens to be a dog parent finds work from home an attractive option. After all, bidding farewell to your four-legged furry friend every morning before heading to work is not easy at all.
But do you know what the next best thing is or maybe even a better option? A dog-friendly workspace. Household names like Uber, Salesforce, and Ben & Jerry’s have already opened their doors to dogs.
Bringing canine companions to work creates a fun, stress-relieving atmosphere. But do you know that pets can boost productivity, enhance creativity, foster socialization, and reduce sedentary behavior? That’s what a recent study found.
But as wonderful as having dogs in the office sounds, it does come with some challenges. Fur-covered chairs, the occasional accident, and lingering odors can quickly turn your office from pet-friendly to pet-chaos.
The good thing, however, is that you can create a workspace that’s both dog-friendly and clean. Here, we’ll share a few practical tips that can help you manage fur, odors, and the occasional doggy disaster without losing your sanity.
Not every part of the office needs to be a dog hangout. It would be wise to create areas where the pups can roam freely without causing chaos.
If dogs frequent one or two rooms instead of the entire office, it will be easier to keep the office clean. Those zones will be safe spaces where dogs can relax, play, or nap.
A small, dark area in any corner of the office will serve as an ideal spot for dogs. Outfit it with dog beds, toys, and food and water bowls to make it comfortable. Don’t forget to add crates so that they can retreat when they feel unsafe.
The flooring of these spaces must be pet-friendly. That is, it should be easy to clean yet durable enough to handle accidents. Carpets, The Scotsman says, should definitely be avoided. Pick glazed ceramic tiles instead. They are easy to clean, strong, and won’t stain.
Dog fur can find its way into every nook and cranny. That is inevitably a part of the decor. But let’s be honest, you won’t always love walking into an important meeting covered in dog hair.
Lint rollers are quick, easy, and effective at picking up stray fur from clothes, chairs, and even office furniture. Keep a few of them handy. Stash a few in common areas, near desks, or by the door. That way, employees can quickly de-fur themselves before heading into meetings or lunch.
Beyond lint rollers, keep a couple of brushes or grooming mitts in the office. They can help manage shedding, as they remove loose fur before it can float around and settle on everything.
Go for bristle brushes. WebMD claims they are a great choice for all coat types.
Nobody wants to deal with unpleasant surprises or messy clean-ups. That is why regular bathroom breaks are a must for dogs in the office.
But how do you manage dog waste? Setting up waste disposal stations will make it convenient to dispose of waste.
Place clearly marked stations with waste bags in convenient locations—near the entrance or the designated dog-friendly zones. Strategically installing pet waste stations, Scoop Soldiers comments, will help keep communal areas clean and odor-free.
Companies that offer commercial dog waste removal services install pet waste stations. Consider hiring them. Their services extend beyond installation. They will visit your establishment on a recurring basis to empty the collected waste and replenish doggy waste bags.
These professionals also offer deodorizing services to help neutralize unwanted, unpleasant odors that are signatures of pet waste and urine. Opt for them as well. Your office environment will remain healthy, clean, and odor-free.
Messes happen. They are inevitable. But when you’re cleaning up after your furry office mates, use pet-safe cleaning products.
The ingredients that make regular cleaning products effective make them toxic for animals. So, it’s better to go with non-toxic, pet-friendly alternatives.
Look for cleaners that are labeled as pet-friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable. There are plenty of effective alternatives available that can tackle dirt and odors without worry. Or, make your own cleaner using vinegar and baking soda. That will not only be safe, but also effective.
A dog-friendly office is an amazing perk, but the space doesn’t have to be a messy one. Keeping the space clean and odor-free can be a challenge. But no more! These simple tips can help you easily manage fur, smells, and messes.
Don’t forget to invest in air purifiers, though. They can do wonders for controlling doggy odors and keeping the air fresh. Look for models with HEPA filters. They are designed to trap pet dander, fur, and smells.
And rest assured that the office environment will be clean and fresh for both employees and their pups.
