Having a dog friendly office is beneficial to employers and employees in a number of advantageous ways. This infographic shows how having a dog in your work office can increase productivity, help employee retention and lower the number of sick days staff take.
For dog lovers, dog-friendly offices are welcome – why leave your pet at home when he can sit beside you while you work? When you become stressed, reach down and stroke your dog and the love hormone Oxytocin will be released into your bloodstream helping to lower blood pressure and de-stress you.
Dogs in the work place can also help improve employee morale and attract a younger workforce, as nearly 50% of people who completed the survey stated that they would be more likely to apply for a job if they could take their dog to work with them.
Large employers, including Google, Amazon and Ben and Jerrys are taking the lead, so to speak, by having dog-friendly office events and days. While all employers are encouraged by events such as Bring Your Dog To Work Day to raise money for charities that are dedicated to dog welfare.
The benefits of having a dog-friendly office are highlighted in the guide, along with ways to make an office more dog-friendly.
If you have cats in your home, you realize they actually run the home and you’re merely a guest! You are no longer the King of your Castle…the cats are! Here are some ideas to add functional items for kitty while maintaining a stylish look for their (your) home. Stylish design for classy cats by Terrys Fabrics.
When you introduce a new dog or cat into the home, they’re naturally curious about their surroundings regardless if they are young or old. Their curiosity is one of their attractive qualities when deciding on a pet, but homes are full of dangerous and sensitive items that can harm the animal if not secured. Similar to baby-proofing a home, you need to look carefully at home features to keep your pet safe while preserving your property from damage, including stains.
Start At Ground Zero
Save your laminate, hardwood or tile floor with strategically chosen rugs or carpet. Dog and cat nails quickly scratch sensitive flooring, but adhesive-backed rugs will keep their paws cushioned and removed from the actual floor. Select rugs with a tight pattern to their design to hide potential stains. Solid color rugs only highlight stains, making the floor look unappealing. To avoid temptation, rugs should have a low pile so cats don’t feel inclined to scratch or burrow. Sturdy rugs with interesting patterns keep your floor looking perfect, even if there is a lot of dog or cat fur being shed.
Consider Open Shelving
You may have several cabinet displays of favorite pictures or collectible figurines, but these open shelves only pose an interesting sitting space for cats. Home protection is part of pet-proofing the living space. Consider adding cabinet doors to the open shelves. Doors can be wood with attractive handles added to the face or even glass. With transparent doors, you can still display your items without your pet trying to jump into the space. They are also protected from harm during a natural disaster and everyday dust.
Hole Hazards
Puppies and cats are known to find the smallest holes in the home and hide inside them. Before allowing your pet to explore the home, get down to their level and check for holes in cabinets, walls and even behind appliances. Block the holes with lumber and nails, if possible. You don’t want your pet to become trapped in these crevices. A side benefit to fixing these holes is pest control. Rodents and insects don’t have an easy way to access your home, forcing them to look elsewhere for sustenance.
Latch Doors And Lids
Dogs and cats are always looking for a great treat, making them curious about trash can contents. Use lids and latches on trash cans to prevent pets from scavenging through this dangerous area. Sharp items lodge in throats, from bones to metal can parts, for example. Even consider adding latches to kitchen cabinet doors to keep pets out of pantries. A bag of chips is quickly ripped open and consumed by any pet. An expensive trip to the veterinarian is usually the only way to help pets that eat foreign foods.
Hanging Hazards
Cats are particularly curious about hanging items, from blind cords to full drapes. To protect your home and pet, consider grouping any hanging items to the side of the windows during the day. For example, a sash holds drapes and cords to the side so cats can’t bat the items around. Inspect your home for any looped hanging items. Permanent double or looped cords pose a strangling issue if pets become entangled. Keep pets away from hanging items and secure them as best as you can.
Training Is Key
One of the simplest ways to pet-proof your home is through animal training. If your pet is trained to behave in the home, they won’t find themselves in trouble with your favorite knick-knacks. Even cats can be trained to scratch only their designated posts and use the litter box. A trained animal reduces the stress of protecting your home from damage. Many communities offer discounted or free training to get your pet ready for the home environment.
Pet-proofing your home isn’t just setting up fence barriers in individual rooms. Enjoy your pet by altering some home aspects while looking into training. You’ll be pleased with your everyday companion’s behavior.
What tips could you add to our list of pet proofing home ideas?
Welcoming a new dog into your home doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In fact, with a little research and the right know-how, you will be able to prepare your home for your dog in next to no time. This article explores how to prepare your home for your new dog, with tips on the steps you and your family can take to welcome the pet into your property.
1. Clean your home
Cleaning your home thoroughly is imperative if you are introducing any pet into your home, but especially important if you are bringing home a new puppy. As young dogs will often want to chew everything, make sure that the floors of your home are clean and tidy, and free from dust, grime and any other small items which could cause your animal to choke. You may also want to secure electrical wires to prevent a serious injury, as well as moving any valuable possessions to another room where your dog won’t be able to access.
2. Secure rooms that you don’t want your dog to visit
If there are rooms in your home where you’d prefer your dog to stay away from, install baby gates that will open and close easily. You will be able to secure these tightly preventing your dog from accessing certain rooms of the home. Your dog will still be able to see you through the gates, so these items are far less intimidating than other ways to prevent access.
3. Talk to your family about your new pet
It is important to talk to every member of your family about your new pet and how their lives could change significantly once the new dog has come home. If you have young children, it will be a good idea to sit them down and discuss what it entails to look after and care for a dog. You may want to sit down as a family and comprise a budget for the new pet. Write down things such as the cost of dog food, potential veterinary bills, and the cost of toys and accessories. You may also want to come up with a routine for walking the dog; perhaps members of the family can take it in turns to walk the dog depending on the time of day.
4. Move furniture and make space for your new dog
Clearing out a cupboard to make way for dog food and accessories is a good idea if you are welcoming a new dog into your home. You will need to prepare healthy meals for your dog everyday so it’s important to have all the food in one place for easy access. Let members of your family know about the “designated cupboard”.
5. Keep the home free from clutter at all times
There are certain things you may not be able to do once you have welcomed your new puppy into your home. These changes are only small, but you may have to adapt the way you do things to ensure the safety of your pet. You should no longer leave bags or containers on the floor as dogs – especially puppies – will get into the items. This can be extremely dangerous for your dog, so make sure you are aware of what you are leaving around the house and where.
6. Try and relax the dog
One the day that your new puppy is due to come home, you may want to make things as relaxing as possible for your new pet. Try and make the journey home as calming as possible. Your new dog may be nervous about meeting all of you for the first time, especially a new puppy. Try and make your puppy go to the toilet before it gets into the car.
7. Prepare your dog’s sleeping area in the home
A well-prepared sleeping area for your dog can really make it feel at home. Think about a comfortable dog bed with cushions, toys and accessories. The dog bed will need to be positioned in a part of the house that will provide easy access for the animal. There are a number of factors to consider if you are purchasing a dog bed for the first time. The product should be the right size, and should allow you to wash the bed frequently and easily (perhaps with a removable and washable cover).
Author bio:
Andrea Hudson is a passionate blogger and a great animal lover. She loves writing articles about home remodeling and how to improve your home space when getting a new pet . In her free time she enjoys taking long walks with her two small dogs.
If you’re considering getting a new pet for your home in Westchester County, NY, please visit the SPCA of Westchester. They have an amazing amount of animals waiting for their forever home 🙂
The arrival of autumn signals many changes in the household, from switching from salads to soups to pulling sweaters out of storage to changing furnace filters. With pets, however, you may need to think as much about what you don’t change as what you do.
Chicago veterinarian Dr. Shelly Rubin is well acquainted with the dramatic temperature swings that accompany the change of seasons, as well as how to help pets and owners cope with them. Following is his list of fall do’s and don’ts for pet owners.
* Don’t “fall” off the exercise wagon. With days getting shorter – and cooler – it can be tempting to skip your early morning or evening walk. But with more than half of all pets in the U.S. being overweight or obese, exercise is vital. A daily walk, or several shorter walks, can rev the metabolism of both two- and four-legged walkers for hours.
* Do ensure your pet is outfitted for cooler weather. Small, light-bodied breeds, dogs with very short hair and older dogs with weakened immune systems are likely to need a sweater when venturing outside. And once cold and snowy weather sets in, dogs may require protective footwear to keep their paw pads from freezing.
* Don’t assume that cooler weather eliminates the threat of diseases like heartworm, which are spread by infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes have been known to survive well into the winter months, thanks to indoor havens and protected microclimates existing within larger, cooler climate zones. For this reason, the American Heartworm Society recommends year-round heartworm protection for both dogs and cats.
* Do ensure your senior pet has a warm, draft-free place to sleep. Many older dogs and cats suffer from arthritis. Just as sore joints in people tend to feel worse in cold weather, so it is with pets. A warm cozy bed can make nights – and mornings – more comfortable.
* Do be sensitive to your pets’ feelings if fall brings changes to your household. Just like people, pets can get depressed. And if you’re missing a son or daughter who has moved away to start college or a job, chances are your family pet is also feeling the loss. Spending time with your pet and giving him an extra measure of cuddling and affection will help both of you feel better.
Many of us think of our pets as part of the family. We hope you find these guidelines helpful in preparing and taking care of your pet in the upcoming months!
Pet parents know that the best way to put an extra wag in a dog’s tail and a spring in his step is to mention the word “walk” or “outside.” We’ve all seen it before. Pets automatically perk up at the opportunity for time outdoors. Additionally, an active lifestyle is just as beneficial for the pets as it is for the pet owners and promotes a healthy routine, while strengthening the loving bond.
It’s the perfect time of year to incorporate some extra activities into your pet’s schedule. The warmer weather and longer daylight hours offer additional time outside. When planning vacations, weekend getaways, or even weeknight outings, be sure to include activities that are pet-friendly. Try these tips and share in an active summer with your four-legged friends.
* Go for a hike. Getting out in the woods is a thrill for dogs – everywhere they turn, there’s something to sniff, look at or maybe even chase. Hit the trails with him for an active outing that’s refreshing, healthy and fun. It’s important to be well-supplied for hikes. Be sure to bring plenty of water as well as wholesome snacks.
* Explore new neighborhoods. Most people and pets have a well-worn path on their neighborhood walks, so why not switch up the scenery? Stray off the usual route, or drive somewhere different to go for a stroll. Try to find dog-friendly business districts that encourage visitors to bring pets along. In urban cities, dog-friendly parks are great places to spend time with your dog and even meet fellow pet parents. Make sure to pack treats to keep everyone refreshed and fueled, and be courteous by bringing baggies to pick up after your dog.
* Do good for charity. Supporting local and national charities that benefit dogs and other pets goes a long way toward giving animals in need the life they deserve. One way to participate is through fundraising walks that support charities such as animal shelters and animal welfare organizations. Charitable organizations that are also pet-friendly are the perfect way to participate in a great cause while being active with a pet.
Health and activity are closely linked for both people and pets. So what’s good for people is good for furry family members. Think creatively about how to do more together with your pet, and you’ll find plenty of ways to enjoy the season and each other.
