It’s no secret that the US is a nation of dog lovers. In 2022, research indicated that almost half (44.5%) of US households had dogs, while that same year, 40% of Americans described themselves as ‘dog people’ in a YouGov survey, compared to 20% who described themselves as ‘cat people’.
However, some states love dogs more than others – the best dog food must fly off the shelves here! A new study conducted by PawSafe has found just where dogs are the most popular, taking data from the US Census Population Data and World Population Review Dog Ownership Per Household for 2023. So, where does your state come in?
If you live in Montana, you’ll be pleased to know that you come out on top with the highest rate of dog parenthood in the country. In Montana, there are 1,090 dogs per 1,000 people. Then there’s Mississippi and Idaho, with 1,070 and 991 dogs per 1,000 people respectively. Rounding out the top five are Arkansas (929) and Alabama (892).
The Gem State comes out on top in terms of the percentage of dog parents, with 58.3% of households having at least one dog. It’s followed by Montana and Arkansas, with 51.9% and 51.6% respectively. Also in the top five are Mississippi (51%) and West Virginia (49.6%).
It’s clear that there’s a correlation between state population and dog parenthood – states with smaller populations (as well as more rural states) generally have higher rates of dog parenthood, perhaps due to greater living space, more outdoor lifestyles, cultural factors, and state regulations (don’t miss these 10 farm dog breeds that love country living!)
This becomes even more apparent when we look at the states with the lowest rates of dog parenthood – and if you’re in the Northeast, look away now! In New Hampshire, there are just 332 dogs per 1,000 people, while Connecticut doesn’t fare much better in the rankings with 336. New York and New Jersey tie with 378, before Massachusetts rounds out the bottom five with 405.
A PawSafe spokesperson said about the findings: “Montana's position as the state with the highest dog ownership rate in America is a testament to its vast open spaces and outdoor-oriented lifestyle. These factors provide an ideal environment for dogs and their owners to thrive together.
"The prevalence of high dog ownership rates in less densely populated states demonstrates a clear trend. States with more rural areas and lower population densities tend to have higher rates of dog ownership, possibly due to larger living spaces and a greater emphasis on outdoor activities."
Remember, however, that while some states have more dogs than others, there are great places for pups all across the country. Take a look at our 32 top US cities to have a dog for proof!
