5 Etiquette Rules for Bringing Your Pet to the Office

Imagine stepping into your office on a Monday morning, coffee in hand, ready to get through your day’s work. As you settle into your workspace, you’re greeted—not just by the familiar faces of your colleagues—but also by the comforting presence of their pets.

And you know it’s also time you tagged your furry friend to work. This comes with a few pet etiquette rules; rest assured your colleagues also followed them.

For example, you need to obtain approval and registration for your pet. Your pet also needs to be up-to-date on vaccinations.

This article examines the five golden etiquette rules for bringing your pet to work. They help maintain a good balance between a pet-friendly atmosphere and a professional environment.

Adhering to etiquette rules in a a pet-friendly workplace can enhance collaboration among employees. It also:

• Fosters a sense of community: Pets often serve as common ground for employees, encouraging interactions that might not otherwise occur.
• Breaks down barriers: The presence of pets can reduce formalities and create a more approachable atmosphere, making it easier for employees to connect.
• Encourages communication: Sharing pet-related experiences can lead to more open conversations and exchange of ideas.
• Promotes teamwork: Working together to ensure a pet-friendly environment can strengthen team bonds and cooperation.
• Acts as social catalysts: Pets can help in building rapport among colleagues, which is essential for effective collaboration.

Rule 1 - Secure Official Approval Before Your Pet’s Office Debut

Get approval from the Human Resources (HR) before your pet can accompany you to your work desk or meetings. You don’t want to run into issues with HR simply because your furry friend isn’t registered in the company.

But the issue of approval and registration is beyond escaping HR issues. It helps ensure the safety, well-being, and harmony of everyone in the workplace, including our four-legged companions.

The process of obtaining formal approval and registration often involves submitting a request that highlights the following:

The Pet’s Temperament

To explain, a pet’s temperament is their personality, disposition, or nature. It is the individual differences in behavior that are attributed to biological factors rather than learned behaviors such as commands or tricks.

For example, a pet with a calm temperament may be more relaxed and less reactive to loud noises or unfamiliar people, making them well-suited for a busy office environment.

A pet with a more energetic temperament, on the other hand, may require more attention and activities to keep them engaged and prevent disruptive behavior.

“You cannot share your life with a dog or a cat and not know perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds and feelings.” - Jane Goodall

HR departments often have specific policies in place to evaluate whether a pet is suitable for the office setting or not. This ensures that only pets that are likely to thrive in an office environment, without causing undue stress or distractions, are permitted.

Examples of such HR policies include:

• Behavioral standards: Ensuring that the pet is well-behaved, non-aggressive, and does not engage in excessive barking or other disruptive activities.
• Owner responsibilities: Outlining the pet owner’s duties, such as cleaning up in case of messes, providing necessary supplies like food and water dishes, and managing the pet’s interactions with other employees. We examine these responsibilities here.
• Health requirements: Verifying that the pet is up-to-date on vaccinations and free from parasites, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy environment for all.

Proof of Vaccinations and Clean Bill of Health

Proof of vaccinations and clean bill of health are non-negotiable aspects of pet registration in the workplace. Just as humans need to meet certain health standards to maintain a safe workplace, pets must be up-to-date on vaccinations to protect against common diseases.

The main vaccines for dogs include:

• Rabies
• Distemper
• Adenovirus-2
• Parvovirus

The essential vaccinations for cats cover:

• Rabies
• Rhinotracheitis (feline herpesvirus-1)
• Panleukopenia (feline distemper)
• Calicivirus

A clean bill of health from your pet’s vet confirms that it is free from contagious conditions that could spread in the office. Submitting this and proof of vaccinations shows that you’re a responsible pet owner and are committed to the collective health of the office community.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance serves as a safeguard against unexpected incidents in the workplace. It provides financial coverage for any accidents or injuries involving pets on company property.

For example, it covers the costs associated with veterinary care if a pet falls ill or is injured while at work. These can include:

• Emergency treatments
• Surgeries for any injuries
• Medications that might be required due to an accident

Having a pet insurance shows that you have a proactive approach to potential risks and want to financially safeguard your furry friend.

For the company, offering pet insurance as part of employee benefits can have benefits such as:

• Reduced absenteeism as employees might not take time off to care for their uninsured pets
• Valuable recruitment tool and improved retention rates since modern-day employees seek opportunities in companies that care for the wellness of their pets
• Increased productivity by removing concerns about pet-related expenses thus making employees focus on what matters most—work.

Did You Know:

Over half of the workforce, at 51%, consider pet insurance to be a key benefit that can influence their choice to accept a new job.

Rule 2 - Only Well-Mannered Pets Make Pleasant Co-Workers



Image by Linnaea Mallette

Pet training and behavior determines how harmonious your office environment will be when you tag along your lovely companions to work.

Your furry colleague should be potty-trained and able to handle the busy office life without accidents. Also, your pet needs to be non-aggressive and quiet, especially in shared office spaces.

This helps your office to be peaceful and productive such that the inclusion of pets becomes a benefit for everyone involved.

“Time spent with cats is never wasted.” – Sigmund Freud

Key Takeaway:

Invest in proper training to ensure your pet follows commands, stays within designated areas, and refrains from disruptive actions like excessive barking or jumping on people.

Rule 3 - Respect Workspace Boundaries With Your Pet

Not all office workers are comfortable around cats and dogs. This means you need to respect any workspace boundaries to ensure your pet doesn’t become a nuisance to your colleagues.

Respect the set rules about specific zones where pets are allowed and areas that are off-limits. These zones ensure that pets have a safe space to relax without interfering with the office’s daily operations. It also means that areas with potential hazards or where critical work occurs remain undisturbed.

For example, common areas like lounges or certain corridors may be designated as pet-friendly, allowing for interaction and play. But, meeting rooms, cafeterias, or individual workspaces might be off-limits to prevent distractions during important tasks or to accommodate those who may have allergies or phobias.

Pet movement is managed when businesses outline pet zones and non-pet zones. It helps prevent accidents such as pets wandering into areas with heavy machinery or delicate equipment. It also reduces the risk of pets becoming overstimulated or stressed by the office’s work, which could lead to unpredictable behavior.

Pro Tip:

Designated pet areas help in case of emergencies. Knowing where pets are likely to be ensures they can be quickly located and safely evacuated if necessary.

Rule 4 - Be the Model of Responsible Pet Ownership at Work

“Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.” – James Cromwell

Be a responsible pet owner at work to ensure the office remains or becomes even more productive for everyone.

One way to be a responsible pet parent is by supervising your furbaby to prevent any potential issues before they arise. For example, you can train your pet to respect restricted zones and stick to designated zones. This helps prevent distracting your colleagues.

Be proactive about your pet’s needs. For example,recognize signs of restlessness or discomfort to help prevent disturbances, such as excessive noise or disruptive behavior.

Let’s agree. Accidents happen, and they can be even more prone in offices that allow pets. If there’s no one assigned to watching over the pets, be ready to clean up any messes that may occur. This is part of your responsibility as a pet owner in the office.

Examples of such messes can be potty mishaps, scattered toys, and spilled water bowls.

Also, preventing your four-legged friend from causing damage is an important part of being an office pet parent. This includes safeguarding office property from chew marks, scratches, or any other form of pet-induced harm.

Another critical aspect is ensuring your pet doesn’t cause disruptions in the workplace. This means:

• Training your pet to respond to quiet commands
• Providing engaging toys to keep them occupied
• Scheduling regular breaks to cater to their physical activity needs

Rule 5 - Accept Accountability for Your Pet’s Actions

Bringing your pet to work is lovely. But it comes with responsibilities that you should be prepared for. One of them being the potential for property damage or injuries that pets might inadvertently cause.

The rule of the thumb is to acknowledge your pet’s actions, at all times. Look. This shouldn’t be a discouraging factor because measures can be taken to ensure the interests of all parties are safeguarded.

Examples of such measures include:

• Liability Waivers: Employers may consider requiring employees who bring pets to work to sign a waiver of liability. This helps ensure that pet owners accept the responsibility for their pets’ behavior and agree to be held accountable for such.
• Pet Insurance: Pet liability insurance covers expenses incurred by others for injuries or property damage caused by your pet. This type of insurance can provide an additional layer of protection for both the pet owner and the company.
• Training and Behavior: Establishing clear rules for pet care and encouraging employees to participate in pet training courses can significantly reduce the likelihood of incidents.

It’s Time to Bring Your Pet to Work



Photo by Doug Woods

There you have it. The five golden rules for bringing your pet to work. These rules apply to both cats and dogs.

The etiquette rules help establish a pet-friendly workplace that respects and values the comfort and well-being of all employees.

Also, the benefits of a pet-friendly office are several—enhanced morale, reduced stress levels, and increased opportunities for social interaction, to name a few.

These benefits can only be fully realized when etiquette rules are followed.



This article was written by Nondiah Khalayi, our cherished author and storyteller from Nairobi.