Being a responsible dog owner means keeping your furry friend happy and healthy. Part of that responsibility includes regular check-ups at the veterinarian, staying up-to-date with vaccinations and making sure your dog gets regular exercise and a nutritious diet. It also includes hygiene care, such as ensuring proper dental health and keeping their nails trimmed.
Keeping a dog healthy won’t only keep it happy, but is best for the overall family. Dogs can face serious health issues ranging from infections and allergies to life-threatening conditions like cancer and arthritis. These illnesses can not only impact a dog’s quality of life, but can also take a mental toll on both the dog and its family. Responsible pet parents safeguard their dog’s well being by staying on top of its health care.
Forbes Advisor conducted a comprehensive survey of 10,000 dog owners, with 200 surveyed in each state, to analyze which states have the most conscientious pet parents. Nearly half of dog owners (45%) take their pets to the veterinarian more than once per year for check-ups, and 43% of dog owners take their pup to the vet at least once per year. Most dogs (84%) are up-to-date on their vaccinations, according to their owners.
This data provides valuable insight into how well people are caring for their canine companions across the United States. It also has implications for how communities and animal welfare groups can better support dog owners.
Key Takeaways
- Washington ranked as the No. 1 state with the most responsible dog owners by a wide margin (13 points in our ranking index).
- Seven of the 10 states with the most responsible dog owners are located on the East Coast.
- Three of the five states home to the least responsible dog owners are located in the Southwest region of the U.S. In particular, Arizona ranked as the state with the least responsible dog owners.
- By a slim margin, the largest chunk of respondents reported brushing their dog’s teeth on a weekly basis (15.84%). Brushing their dog’s teeth once every few weeks was the second most common response in our survey (15.83%).
- Most dog owners report clipping their dogs’ nails on a monthly basis (30%) followed by a few times a year (28%).
- Nearly all (93%) of dog owners walk their dog at least once a week.
- Pet owners report taking their dog to the dog park as the most common form of socialization (42%), which is important for a pet’s confidence, exercise and stress levels.
States With the Most Responsible Dog Owners
1. Washington
Washington’s score: 100 out of 100
Washington is home to the most responsible dog owners. Furry friends are well taken care of in this state, with owners taking care of their pets’ hygiene and mental health through socialization.
Washington ranked No. 1 in the following metrics:
- Percentage of dogs that have a location device (such as a microchip/AirTag) (83%).
- Percentage of dog owners who take their pets to training classes (53%).
- Percentage of dog owners who brush their dog’s teeth at least once a week (62%). Just 5% of dog owners reported never brushing their dog’s teeth.
2. New York
New York’s score: 86.91 out of 100
New York came in second on our list for the country’s most responsible dog owners, ranking second best in the following metrics:
- Percentage of dog owners that take their pets to the veterinarian for a check-up at least once per year, if not more (96%).
- Percentage of dogs that have a location device (such as a microchip/AirTag) (74%).
- Percentage of dog owners who take their dog to training classes (52%).
- Percentage of dog owners that give their dog heartworm medication more than once a year (87%).
A small percentage of dog owners in New York reported never trimming their dog’s nails or brushing their dog’s teeth (only 3% for both), indicating that the health and hygiene of pooches is taken seriously in this state.
3. Maryland
Maryland’s score: 84.59 out of 100
The Old Line State comes in third on our ranking of the country’s most responsible dog owners, ranking in the top five best states in the following metrics:
- Tied with Nevada and Wisconsin for the fifth best ranking for the percentage of dogs that are up to date on vaccinations (92%).
- The percentage of dog owners who have visitors who bring dogs over to help socialize their pets (ranking No. 5 at 50%).
Dogs are also well socialized in Maryland. The state ranked third in the percentage of dog owners who schedule play dates for their dog with other dogs (34%, which is 9 percentage points higher than our study average of 25%).
4. Florida
Florida’s score: 83.04 out of 100
Florida is home to beautiful beaches and pups that are well taken care of. The Sunshine State ranked No. 1 in the following metrics:
- The percentage of owners who schedule play dates with their dog to help socialize them (49%).
- The percentage of dog owners that report taking their dog to the veterinarian for check-ups at least once a year (96%).
Florida ranked second worst in the percentage of dog owners that report their dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, which hurt its overall score (53%, well below our study average of 84%).
5. Georgia
Georgia’s score: 82.03 out of 100
The Peach State came in fifth on our ranking of most responsible dog owners. The state ranked high in preventative care and hygiene categories.
- Georgia ranked third best in the percentage of dog owners that give their pet flea/tick medication more than once a year (90%).
- Georgia ranked sixth best in the percentage of dog owners who trim their dog nails at least once a month (68%)
- Georgia ranked in the top 10 best states for the percentage of dog owners who brush their dog’s teeth at least once a week (39%).
6. Vermont
Vermont’s score: 80.71 out of 100
Dog owners in Vermont ranked highly in categories of hygiene, preventative care and socialization for their pups. The state ranked No. 1 in the following metrics:
- Percentage of owners who report their dog is up to date on vaccinations (98%).
- Percentage of owners who report walking their dog once or more per day (81%).
Vermont ranked in the top 10 in the following metrics:
- The percentage of dog owners who take their dog to the veterinarian for a check-up at least once a year (ranking No. 7 at 94%).
- Percentage of dog owners who report their dog has a location device (ranking No. 10 at 63%).
- Percentage of owners who schedule play dates for their dog (ranking No. 4 at 32%).
7. Texas
Texas’s score: 79.78 out of 100
Texas dog owners are mindful of their dog’s dental health and preventative care. The Lone Star State ranked in the top 10 best states for the following metrics:
- The percentage of dog owners whose dog has a location device (ranking No. 3, at 73%).
- The percentage of dog owners who report taking their dog to training classes (ranking No. 5 at 42%).
- The percentage of owners who report their dog is up to date on vaccinations (ranking No. 10 at 91%).
- Percentage of dog owners who brush their dog’s teeth at least once a week (ranking No. 2 at 50%).
8. New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s score: 78.7 out of 100
New Hampshire dog owners take pride in socializing and exercising their pups. The Granite State ranked in the top 10 best states for the following metrics:
- The percentage of dog owners who take their dog to the veterinarian at least once a year for a check-up (ranking No. 5 at 94%).
- The percentage of dog owners who report their dog is up to date on vaccinations (ranking No. 2 at 96%).
- The percentage of dog owners who report walking their dog once or more per day (ranking No. 3 at 79%).
- The percentage of owners who schedule play dates with other dogs (ranking No. 4 at 32%).
9. New Jersey
New Jersey’s score: 77.38 out of 100
New Jersey dog owners are responsible, ranking in the top 10 best states for the following metrics:
- The percentage of dog owners who report their dog is up to date with vaccinations (ranking No. 10 at 91%).
- The percentage of dog owners who report trimming their dog’s nails at least once a month (ranking No. 8 at 63%).
- The percentage of dog owners who brush their dog’s teeth at least once a week (ranking No. 9 at 39%).
10. Alaska
Alaska’s score: 76.92 out of 100
Coming in at the bottom of our top 10 states for most responsible dog owners, Alaska ranked highly for the following metrics:
- The percentage of dog owners who report their dog is up to date on vaccinations (ranking No. 4 at 94%).
- The percentage of dog owners who report taking their dog to training classes (ranking No. 6 at 37%).
- The percentage of dog owners who have visitors over with dogs, in an effort to socialize their dog (ranking No. 6 at 49%).
- The percentage of dog owners who report brushing their dog’s teeth once a week (ranking No. 4 at 45%).
Alaska tied with Iowa and North Dakota for being the top state with dog owners who report exercising their dogs, with only 0.5% of dog owners reporting they never exercise their pets.
States With The Least Responsible Dog Owners
1. Arizona
Arizona’s score: 0 out of 100
Arizona is home to the least responsible dog owners in America. The state ranked poorly in dental hygiene and preventative care categories.
- Arizona ranked second worst for the percentage of dog owners who never brush their dog’s teeth (24%).
- Arizona ranked third worst in the percentage of dog owners that never give their dog flea/tick medication—despite fleas and ticks being prevalent year-round in the state.
- Arizona ranked seventh worst in the percentage of dog owners who take their dog for an annual check-up (83%, which is 5% lower than our study average of 88%).
2. Idaho
Idaho’s score: 1.63 out of 100
Dog owners in Idaho have room to improve in categories including preventative care and hygiene for their pets.
- Idaho ranked as the worst state for dog owners who report giving their pets heartworm medication more than once a year (37%, compared to the study average of 66%)
Idaho ranked as the third worst state in the following metrics:
- Percentage of dog owners who never trim their dog’s nails (16%).
- Percentage of dog owners who give their dog flea/tick medication more than once a year (49% compared to the study average of 78%).
3. Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s score: 4.6 out of 100
Oklahoma is the third most irresponsible state when it comes to dog owners, who are missing out on opportunities to socialize and train their dogs.
- Oklahoma dog owners reported the lowest percentage of dog parents who take their dog to training classes (8%).
- Oklahoma ranked as the second worst state in the percentage of dog owners that have visitors come over and bring other dogs to help socialize their dog (25%).
- Oklahoma ranked as the fourth worst state in owners who report having a location device for their dog (40%, compared to the study average of 56%).
4. Kentucky
Kentucky’s score: 10.22 out of 100
Dog owners in Kentucky aren’t regularly taking their dogs to the veterinarian for a checkup. The state ranked as the sixth worst state in the following metrics:
- Percentage of dog owners who report taking their dog to the vet at least once a year for a check-up (83%, compared to the study average of 88%).
- Percentage of dog owners who report never brushing their dog’s teeth, (22%, compared to the study average of 14%).
Kentucky tied with Florida as the seventh-worst state for the percentage of dog owners whose pets have a location device (46%).
5. New Mexico
New Mexico’s score: 10.38 out of 100
Dog owners in New Mexico have room to improve in the preventative care and training of their dogs. The state ranked low in the following metrics:
- New Mexico tied with Kentucky for being the fifth-worst state for the percentage of dog owners who report taking their dog to the vet at least once a year for a check-up (83%, compared to the study average of 88%).
- New Mexico ranked as the sixth worst state for the percentage of dog owners who take their dog to training classes (11%) and the percentage of dog owners who report never giving their dog flea/tick medication (21%, compared to the study average of 11%).
Nationwide Dog-Related Medical Statistics
On a national level, American dog owners are responsible when it comes to keeping up with the general health and preventative care of their dogs. Our study found the following nationwide dog-related medical statistics:
- More than four-fifths (84%) of dog owners report that their pet is up to date on vaccinations.
- Meanwhile, 10% of dog owners report that their pet is not up to date on vaccinations, and 5% of respondents were unsure.
- The majority (88%) of dog owners report that their dog sees a veterinarian at least once a year. Only 8% of dog owners report taking their dog to the veterinarian for a check-up every few years.
- Dog owners typically administer heartworm medication on a monthly basis (31%) or once every few months (20%). Just 10% of dog owners reported never giving their dog heartworm medication.
- Dog owners are most likely to administer flea/tick medication on a monthly basis (36%), followed by once every few months (26%). A small percentage (7%) of dog owners reported never giving their dog flea/tick medication.
Survey Methodology
The online survey of 10,000 dog owners in America (200 per state) was commissioned by Forbes Advisor and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society’s code of conduct. Data was collected from September 21st, 2023 – October 13, 2023. The margin of error is +/- 1.0 point with 95% confidence. This survey was overseen by the OnePoll research team, which is a member of the MRS and has corporate membership with the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR).
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