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Essential Products for Pet-Friendly Offices That Want to Stay Tidy

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There’s been plenty of talk about remote work being the way of the future. However, those who do return to a brick-and-mortar office may have some extra-special co-workers: Pets. A 2021 survey found 72% of C-Suite executives believed offices would be more pet-friendly post-pandemic.

It could give businesses looking to hire and retain top talent a competitive advantage. A 2018 study found that employees felt more bonded to companies with pet-friendly policies.

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There’s plenty to love about allowing dogs in workplaces: Mid-day snuggles are the perfect way to recover after a pointed business call, and it helps employees avoid having to shell out for pet care during the day.

That said, it can get a little messy. Hair, accidents, and odors can make the place look less-than-tidy and bother other staffers. Keep your pet-friendly office space clean by having these five items available to employees and their pups.

Having hair on office furniture probably isn’t what you want. It can bother people with allergies and is a challenge to get off. These grooming gloves from Pat Your Pet are the perfect addition to an office pet maintenance kit. Not all pups enjoy grooming, but most love a good petting session. Pet parents can simply put on the gloves, pet their dogs, and remove loose hairs, cutting down on shedding.
$0 from Amazon

Accidents happen. Even housebroken dogs may get confused in a new space. Others may mark because they smell another dog. Nixing urine stains and odors is an absolute must, regardless of the reason. ANGRY ORANGE’s pet smell removal kit does both, leaving a fresh orange scent behind. It comes with a UV light, so you can spot-check the stains to ensure they’re really gone.
$0 from Amazon

Keeping a few grooming tools on hand gives employees the chance to see what works best for their pets. Each dog will feel a little differently about de-shedding tools. This rake from Pawradise uses 17 teeth to thin and de-shed a pup’s coat. It only takes a couple of brushes, so your employees won’t have their productivity hindered by a pampering session. Previous reviewers say it’s simple to use and effective.
$7 from Amazon $20 from Walmart

If a pet goes out in the pouring rain, they’ll need their ears cleaned. Also, ears can be an often overlooked source of pet odor. Keep an ear cleaner solution in the office in case a staffer needs some for their pet. This cleaner from Pro Pooch can be applied directly to the ear canal and removes the odor. You can store it at room temperature, so there’s no need for you to make any special arrangements for it. Simply leave it out on a table.
$11 from Amazon

There are many types of de-shedders out there, but sometimes a simple brush works best. HappyDogz versatile slicker dog brush works for pets with short or long coats. The bristles make a quick brush feel like a luxe pampering session while also getting out loose hairs, debris, and tangles. Previous buyers say even their typically high-maintenance pets took to the brush.
$20 from Amazon

More offices will likely become pet friendly, and for good reasons. Research shows employees are generally happier and feel more loyal to their employer if they have pet-friendly policies. Allowing employees to bring their well-trained, well-behaved dogs to work can help you retain top talent. However, you probably don’t want to retain a whole bunch of stray hairs, odors, and stains. Create a pet maintenance workstation with items for grooming, like brushes and de-shedders. Ear cleaner can prevent smells. Sometimes, pups may have an accident – a new space may be confusing to them. A urine stain and odor remover can clean it up pronto. Encourage employees to bring pups if they are housebroken and calm to prevent them from disrupting the workday.

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BethAnn Mayer
Contributor
Beth Ann's work has appeared on healthline.com and parents.com. In her spare time, you can find her running (either marathons…
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