Dog-friendly workplaces: Cleaning solutions and practical tips
23.04.2025.
In recent years, dog-friendly workplaces have become a popular initiative in office culture. Companies around the world, including in Latvia, are increasingly opening their doors to four-legged friends, recognizing the positive impact this has on employee well-being and the work environment. However, for such an environment to be truly sustainable, one aspect is often overlooked – professional and customized cleaning services.
How this trend affects building development and facility maintenance, and how HAGBERG sees this future workplace model – read more about it in this article.
Why do companies choose dog-friendly office spaces?
Studies show that the presence of animals in the office helps to:
- Reduce stress and improve employee morale;
- Promote social interaction between colleagues;
- Increase employee loyalty to the company;
- Create a positive public image for the employer.
Google, Amazon, Etsy, and other international organizations have been practicing this policy for years. More and more Latvian companies, especially in the creative and technology sectors, are following suit.
What does this mean for developers and property managers?
If a building is constructed or redesigned with the aim of becoming “pet-friendly,” this affects several aspects of construction and maintenance:
1. Choice of flooring materials
Dogs can scratch wooden or laminate floors, so it is advisable to use wear-resistant vinyl or tiles.
Carpets or carpet tiles should be easy to clean, without long pile, preferably in a darker shade and ideally with an antimicrobial coating.
2. Zoning
It is useful to create special animal-friendly areas – near the owner's workplace, play corners, rest areas, as well as clearly separating rooms where animals are not welcome (e.g., kitchens, bathrooms).
Introduce specific guidelines, for example, on where and when animals are allowed to be, and provide special areas for employees with allergies or employees who are afraid of dogs.
3. Ventilation and air quality
The presence of dogs can affect air quality, so improved ventilation or air purification systems should be provided.
4. Walking area
Often, nature or special walking areas near the office building can be a big bonus – and at the same time an additional challenge for property management.
Cleaning – the unsung hero of a dog-friendly workplace
Although a dog-friendly work environment is a good solution with many advantages, it requires a whole new level of cleaning and hygiene routines. Here are the most important aspects:
1. Cleaning frequency
Pet hair, sand and mud, as well as possible traces of “accidents” (dogs tend to mark their territory) require more frequent cleaning – on a daily basis, not just after the end of the working day.
2. Specialized cleaning products
HAGBERG uses products that are safe for animals but powerful enough to clean, eliminate odors, and disinfect without damaging surfaces.
3. Odor control
Even if your dog is clean, odors can accumulate. It is important to wash floors regularly, chemically clean carpets, and have a fully functional, high-quality ventilation system.
4. Carpet and upholstered furniture care
These materials absorb odors and hair more quickly, so professional cleaning with extraction methods is necessary at least once a month or even more often if animals are allowed to stay in areas with soft furnishings and carpets.
5. Maintenance of outdoor areas
Walking areas should be regularly cleaned of excrement, and grass height and parasite risk should be monitored during the summer months.
Special attention should be paid to outdoor plants, which may suffer from the constant presence of animals. Regular contact with animals can damage, trample or dry out lawns and plants, so more frequent maintenance, soil renewal and even fencing off green areas is necessary to preserve the decorative appearance and longevity of the environment.
HAGBERG's experience and solutions
As a sustainable partner in property development, construction and management, HAGBERG adapts its services to modern workplace trends. We already maintain a dog-friendly working environment for our employees and provide office management services to companies that allow their employees to bring dogs to work, ensuring:
- Flexible cleaning schedules (morning + afternoon cleaning)
- Specialized training for our staff on how to professionally clean pet-friendly spaces,
- Environmentally friendly and pet-safe cleaning products.
Office management in a dog-friendly workplace also includes regular cleaning, monitoring of animal behavior, and a suitable environment that promotes not only employee comfort but also animal well-being.
In conclusion – what to keep in mind?
If you plan to make your office dog-friendly:
✅ Consult with developers about the suitability of the space.
✅ Review cleaning schedules and selected products.
✅ Involve a professional manager who understands the nuances of maintaining this environment.
It is also important to remember to get the consent of other employees – before introducing dogs into the office, make sure that all employees agree to their presence to ensure comfort and safety for everyone. HAGBERG recommends developing rules for the presence of dogs – defining specific rules that apply to dogs in the office so that all employees are aware of the procedures and requirements.
Sustainability and well-being go hand in hand.
A work environment that takes into account both the emotional needs of employees and the physical maintenance of the space is a step closer to a sustainable future. Dog-friendly office spaces can be truly effective and inspiring – if they are professionally maintained.
HAGBERG is ready to help – both in the initial design phase as well as in daily cleaning and maintenance. If you want your space to be not only modern, but also hygienic and safe, contact us!