This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Adding Plants and Office-Appropriate Pets
Adding plants to your office or cubicle is the quickest and simplest way to increase the energy in the room and enhance the décor. In addition, plants are excellent natural air filters, which is important. The addition of healthy, beautiful plants can give you a mental boost, too, and make your room feel more inviting and comfortable. Be sure to choose plants that are suitable for the available lighting in your office and that require only as much maintenance as you will have the time and energy to give them. Low-maintenance plants such as golden pothos, schefflera, ferns, and spathiphyllum are hearty and can generally tolerate lower light levels.
If you spend a lot of time in your office and are considering keeping a pet there, be sure you have considered the responsibilities this choice will bring and that you’ve thoroughly researched the animal’s ability to live and thrive in an office environment. Also, be sure that your building and/or management allows such pets. An office pet requires much more maintenance than an office plant and if you travel frequently or are otherwise out of the office much of the time, it’s not a good idea to house an animal there alone.
To successfully keep an animal alive and thriving at work, be sure you thoroughly research the animal’s needs and do your homework before investing in any animals or equipment. Ask a veterinarian about the animal’s physical and social needs. Most animals need daily watering, feeding, and exercise, and many are social creatures that require the company of other living creatures to thrive. Don’t assume you can "fit" an animal into your office environment simply because you have room for a small cage, bowl, or other tiny habitat. After you have done your research, you’ll be more equipped to make an informed decision about whether you can commit to the maintenance an office pet requires. The last thing you want to do is buy an office pet and end up causing it harm because you were unprepared to meet its health needs.