Dog Health In The Office & Finding Hazards

Many organisations are considering pet-friendly workplaces to get employees back into the office. Companies have attracted better employees, thanks to their pet-friendly policy; for example, at both Google and Amazon, you can go to work with a dog. Rufus was the one who promoted the dog-friendly culture at Amazon, he is still remembered with great affection.

The 26th of June in Spain was even declared as a day to take your dog to work. Based on this, here are some important dog health factors to consider when your dog is hanging out in the workplace.

What do we mean by Dog health in the office?

Modern workplaces and homes are strange environments for dogs both puppies and older dogs. Usually, there are no trees or grass and wind or rain. Domestic dogs need to adapt to the workplace/home setting, and this does not always go smoothly, but you can make your dog’s transition and life as safe as possible. There are hazards all over the workplace. From the entrance that you enter to the stairs that connect your office.

Stairs

Stair gates are excellent things to install if there are many dogs or pets in your workplace but ensure all colleagues and clients are aware of closing the gate when entering and leaving. The last thing you want is your dog running through the stair gate and out the front entrance and across the road. It’s advised to keep an eye on your dog at all times to minimise the risk of your pet escaping.

Windows and doors

Some windows at work have a restrictor, others open up very wide. Be mindful if your dog likes napping by the window. Some dogs can overreact if they see a cat or other cute animal while they are sleeping. The dog’s Instinctive nature could kick in and the dog may forget about in-the-moment safety and jump down a few storeys

Should Dogs be allowed in the kitchen?

We all love the kitchen for that well-needed gossip, break, or work coffee. But there is a bunch of potential hazards in the kitchen which will need to be addressed before you bring a new dog in. Some dogs can open cupboards with their noses and others can use their paws; especially if they know there is something tasty inside. Consider child-proofing the cupboard doors with locks or keeping the chemicals higher up out of reach, just remember to inform the cleaner.

Just like humans, If a pet digests chemicals, it can be fatal. Some chemicals include bleach, washing detergent, sprays, dishwasher tablets and even oven cleaners. Keep them in locked cupboards or high up out of reach. Don’t rely on the child safety caps as they are no match for a jaw full of canine teeth!

Some dogs love nothing more than to raid the bin for an extra snack, so make sure the bin has a lid. Some dangers in the bin include bones, packaging, toxic food such as grapes, and even mouldy food. Dogs may also tear the bin apart and cause a mess.

Dog health can be defined as the state of a dog’s full physical, mental, social, psychological, emotional and social well-being.

Like other higher animals, Dogs can be affected by changes in environments and people/pets around them. They can tend to fall below their functioning capacity.

• Co-workers: Before taking your dog to the office, it’s essential to make sure that no one has allergies to dogs. And that no one is afraid of them. Also, make sure your manager allows pets. If co-workers aren’t happy with your canine best friend for some reason, this will just cause distractions all around. Not following these points may result in a negative office atmosphere, that could last a long time. This may be frustrating and have an effect on everyone involve, including your favourite canine.
• Type of dog: Achieving the dream of getting hired at a place that allows dogs is amazing. But be sure to find the right type of dog, as not all dogs can be office friendly.

Some of the best breeds of dogs to take to the office are the ones that do not shed. ”Sara Ochoa”, DVMV, who is also a veterinarian consultant for doglab.com said, “no one wants to go to work and go to lunch covered in dog hair”.

Usually, the best breeds for the office are the ones weighing less than 10 KG and enjoy spending time under a desk. Also consider their noise level and overall temperament. Here are some breeds that snuggle up at your feet while you work.

• Labrador
• Pug
• Italian Greyhound
• French Bulldog
• Australian Labradoodle

Here’s some more information about our top 5 workplace dogs.

‘What to’ and ‘What not to feed your dog while in the office

Just as parents disagree on questions of nutrition and raising their children, there are also different approaches to dog nutrition among dog owners.

A Dogs food intake depends on how active the dog is and its weight, Around 57kcal of food should be fed daily for every KG. But this can vary greatly, it is also dependent on the stage of your dog’s life – puppies, breeding bitches, young dogs or old dogs.

Nutrition options for dogs in the office include;

Dried animal food: This classic dry dog food offers several advantages, e.g. it guarantees practical storage, makes little mess and is cheap to buy. It’s best to take 10% less than the manufacturer says.

Canned /wet dog food: This dog food is easy to store and practical when travelling, especially to the office. Sometimes it is mixed with other essential vitamins, and usually processed from meat waste, such as kidneys, lungs, and rumen of animals. It’s also usually smellier than the dried variety.

Homemade dog food: The advantage of this is that you prepared it. Meaning you know exactly what is inside. But it’s usually time-consuming. The rations should consist of meat, vegetables and a side dish with no spices. If your dog has a food intolerance, homemade food is usually superior because you can monitor exactly how the dog reacts to what you give him. You can also make dog biscuits, just don’t get them confused and give them out to colleagues.

Vegan and vegetarian diet: This ethical choice is growing in popularity, but vitamins and minerals will usually have to be supplied via other means to avoid deficiency.

Harmful foods for your dog in the office:

• Chocolate: Humans love chocolate but it’s extremely toxic for dogs and should be avoided at all costs. Chocolate contains substances that dogs cannot break down. So keep your chocolate out of reach or locked in a draw!.
• Grapes and Raisins: Grapes and Raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, so it’s a good idea to avoid this fruit!
• Onions
• Raisins
• Red beans
• Avocado: Avocado is also a popular lunchtime treat for humans, but for dogs, it’s very toxic. Persine is a chemical found in avocados which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and myocardial damage in dogs.
• Onion and Garlic: Onion and Garlic are bad for dogs; whether it’s cooked or raw. If dogs eat onions and garlic they can get anaemia.
• Raw potatoes in large quantities
• Fruit kernels
• Christmas baking
• Cereals (as some dogs are gluten-intolerant)

Plants and flowers that dogs should avoid in the workplace

It’s common knowledge that dogs sometimes like to eat grass and this isn’t something to be concerned about. But some dogs take a bite out of plants, especially if the human gives the plant attention. Some plants can be toxic to pets so make sure that your dog doesn’t get access to them. The most common ones include lilies, aloe vera, poinsettia, rubber tree plants and chives.

Symptoms of poisoning from ingesting toxic house plants range from sickness and diarrhoea to difficulty breathing and even death. Below is a list of toxic plants in alphabetical order:

Why is my dog sick while in the office?

When dogs are in pain or don’t feel well, dogs tend to display behavioural changes. Usually, these personality changes occur suddenly. Your social dog may become anti-social. Your kind and the energetic pet may begin to show snippiness, aggression or lethargy.

What Dog health issues may arise in the office?

Diarrhoea: If your dog has persistent constipation or diarrhoea that lasts for more than 48hrs or there is blood or mucus, it is recommended that you go see a veterinarian.

Repeated vomiting, gagging, sneezing or coughing: Persistent sickness or choking when eating is a concern. Vomiting can be a sign of a developing allergy or a more serious infection, particularly in older dogs. Kennel cough can also be a serious contagious illness.

Refusal to eat for over 24hrs: For a range of reasons your dog’s eating patterns may occasionally become irregular. But if your dog refuses to eat for a day or more consult your vet.

Excessive thirst or urination– unusually excessive thirst and frequent urination is a common signs of illness.

Red or swollen gums: Reddened or swollen gums, particularly when associated with bad breath, are an indication of gum disease. When severe, dogs may lose their teeth, drop food from their mouth and suffer weight loss due to difficulty eating.

Difficulty urinating: Look out for yelping when urinating, a hunched back or blood in the urine.

Runny eyes or nose: Sneezing, panting, runny eyes and nose or other flu-like symptoms may be signs of respiratory problems, as are gasping or shortness of breath.

Itchy, flaking skin: skin condition is a good general indicator of health. The skin should be smooth and pink or black. Persistent itching, sores, lumps and signs of dermatitis could indicate an allergic reaction to flea bite.

Progressive changes in weight: You should be concerned if your dog appears to lose weight progressively over 2 or 4 weeks, or shows a slow but steady weight loss over a longer period. Unexpected weight gain could be a sign of a problem.

General lethargy, tiredness: Just looking unwell or out of his/her normal healthy active self, please consult a vet.

Toys for your dog in the office

Not all dogs will require quite so much stuff, but if you want your fluffy friend to be happy you will probably end up packing a huge bag!

Here are some suggestions on what you could pack to ensure you are ready for almost anything that office life throws your way:

• Lead, harness and a collar with an ID tag
• Poop bags
• A mat or dog bed
• Food
• Good boy dog treats; for rewarding perfect behaviour
•  A collapsible water bowl
• Some disinfectant spray and kitchen roll, just in case of accidents or muddy paws.
• A coat if they need one for the commute or break times.
• Food puzzle to distract your canine companion.

Other pets

Dogs can take a while to adapt to a new environment, this can take a longer amount of time when other pets are sharing the workplace such as cats. In the beginning, when taking your workplace pet to work, it can take a while for your dog to feel comfortable and adapt to the new surroundings.

Your pup may feel anxious about starting work and this is natural. The best way for dogs to overcome this feeling is to consistently familiarise themselves over a long period of time in a controlled manner. Don’t force your dog to meet other pets in the office, should your dog feel stressed move your pet back to its comfort zone.

Dog Health In The Office is important. Now you know what you need to have a successful office outing with your dog. Read up on your office pet policy (here are some rules we put together). Now start working on your dog training, pack some healthy dog treats and get ready for a fun working environment at the office.