China's Pet-Friendly Offices: Furry Colleagues Beat Workplace Stress

What's it like to have cats and dogs as your office buddies?

A pet-food firm in Henan has gone viral after encouraging staff to bring their animals to work, according to Henan-based Elephant News.

With an average employee age of just 28, the company says the policy keeps workers cheerful – and helps the brand stay in tune with young consumers.

Even several stray cats adopted by the firm have become unofficial "mascots," wandering between desks and greeting visitors.

"Young people's energy – and their love for pets – keeps us closer to what users actually want," one employee told Top News. "It keeps the brand young."

Social media users were quick to express envy: "This workplace is a dream," one wrote. "A company this humane? I'd stay forever."

And it's not just Henan. In Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, a children's products company has transformed its office into what staff jokingly call a "pet playground," Cover News reported.

A video posted by an employee surnamed Yang shows cats flopped on stacks of documents and dogs dozing under desks, with pets weaving in and out of cubicles as people work – clips that quickly drew thousands of likes.

Employees say even a brief pause to pet a dog or pick up a cat can ease tension more effectively than a coffee break. Around lunchtime, colleagues often gather to share treats with the animals, turning the office into a light-hearted mix of chatter, meows and the occasional bark.

Zhou, the manager – who keeps "one dog and three cats" herself – said the policy is intentional. "An office that feels too rigid doesn't make people more efficient," she told local media. "If staff come in with a good mood, they feel more connected to the company – and naturally, they work better."