Offices around the world are about to become a lot cuter during Take Your Pet To Work Week! This year the week takes place between 21-25 June. The purpose behind Take Your Pet To Work Week is to highlight the wonderful companionship pets provide and to help promote the adoptions of rescue animals, which we think is a pretty great cause indeed. If you want to get involved with Take Your Pet To Work Week, or just want to take your pet to work for the first time, we thought we'd share some tried and trusted, Hiro + Wolf approved tips to help your pet feel right at home.
For Dogs
Keep your dog under proper control at all times.
For the safety of your dog and your colleagues it is important to make sure your dog does what they are told and doesn't get over-excited. If your dog has poor recall or doesn't listen very well to commands it may be best to work on their training a little more before bringing them to work.
Check insurance and health and safety rules and make sure that any requirements are followed.
Some workplaces will obviously not allow pets such as some restaurants or doctors surgeries, but your workplace might still have some surprising health and safety requirements that you should be sure to be aware of as ultimately your pet is your responsibility.
Carry out a simple risk assessment.
A risk assessment is simply deciding what could go wrong and ensuring you’ve taken sufficient precautions to prevent or minimise any risks. If your workplace employs five or more people, the risk assessment must be in writing.
Check your own pet insurance policies.
It is important to ensure that your insurance provides adequate cover for accidents that could happen involving your pet at work.
Make sure your dog is housetrained, but be prepared for little accidents.
Try to take your dog out for toilet breaks regularly at first as they get used to their new surroundings. Make sure to come prepared with plenty of poop bags so you don't get caught out. (You can store them stylishly in our Handmade Leather Poo Bag Pouches)
Your dog should be in good health and not suffering from any sickness.
If your pooch is feeling under the weather it is probably best to leave them at home to recuperate, especially if there are other pets present in your workplace. Who doesn't appreciate a day off?!
Watch out for signs of stress.
Is your dog panting a lot or licking his lips? Are they flattening their ears and avoiding eye contact? Any sort of unusual behaviour from your dog should be monitored as it could be a sign that they aren't very comfortable in the work environment.
Make sure there’s a quiet and comfy place for your dog to relax.
It is important your dog has a safe space to retreat to, try making it comfortable for them with a familiar blanket or cushion from home.
Ensure they have access to food and fresh water.
Try and maintain any meal times your dog is used to and of course make sure they always have water available to them.
Don’t forget walkies!
We all need a break during the working day, make sure your dog is still getting their daily exercise and working off any energy that may otherwise lead to naughty behaviours.
For Cats
Think about personality.
Not all cats will be happy to be cooped up in a working environment, make sure you're thinking about your cats needs and whether they will enjoy the experience.
Take it slowly.
Try taking your cat to your place of work for short visits so they can become accustomed to the new environment. If you intend for them to wear a harness, make sure you are using it at home for at least a couple of weeks before bringing your cat to work.
Safety first.
Be sure to check if there are other pets in the office. Cats and dogs may not always like being in such close proximity to one another. Also be sure to check for potential hazards such as toxic plants, open windows or areas your cat might get trapped.
Be sure to keep them entertained.
We know that sitting in the office all day can get pretty boring, so make sure your cat has plenty of toys to keep them occupied.
Don't forget the basics.
Make sure your feline friend has access to all the necessities including food and fresh water. A scratching post is also a good idea where possible as it could save any destruction of the office furniture! Also, don't forget the litter box so that your cat can do their business in peace.
Make sure to provide a safe space.
Whether it's a carrier, a bed or a cardboard box, it is important for your cat to have a safe, quiet space to retreat to if they need it.
And of course, cats and dogs alike should be sure to show up in style so why not shop our range of dog bow ties or cat bandanas which are all available with matching collars! We hope you found these tips helpful! Let us know, is your workplace pet friendly? Be sure to pop by our shop in Margate for the chance to see Hiro +Wolf hard at work. Napping and accepting belly rubs is work, right?