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Owning a dog may be a universal joy - but depending on where you live, it can be far easier (or harder) to give them the life they deserve.
From sunny beaches and lakes in Florida to Vermont’s rolling green hills, some states offer dogs endless adventure, space, and community. Others, like New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, present unique obstacles such as dense cities, high housing costs, and limited pet-friendly rentals.
A new 2025 study has revealed the best and worst places to own a dog across all 50 U.S. states, analyzing everything from rental access and vet availability to open space and dog ownership rates
With over 65 million U.S. households owning a dog, this ranking reveals where dogs (and their humans) are thriving — and where they face challenges.
Each of the 50 states was assessed across several weighted categories to produce an overall composite score. Alaska and Hawaii were omitted due to a lack of data access.
🐶 Dog ownership rates – from PawlicyAdvisor (2025)
🏠 Pet-friendly rentals – % of dog-allowing properties via Zillow
🌲 Parkland per state – acres of state and national parks per land area from World Population Review and Mental Floss
💉 Veterinarians per 100,000 residents – from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
👥 Population and density data – from World Population Review
✅ Top Performers: North Dakota, Montana, and New Hampshire lead thanks to open space, affordable care, and strong pet culture.
🌤️ Surprise Success: Florida ranks #4, boosted by growing pet-friendly rentals and accessible vet care.
💰 Affordability Matters: States with lower housing costs and higher parkland ratios scored dramatically better overall.
🏙️ Urban Struggles: New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island land at the bottom, showing how expensive city living limits pet ownership quality.
🐕 Vet Access = Happiness: States with more veterinarians per capita had notably higher satisfaction scores among owners.
| Rank | State | Composite Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | 59 |
| 2 | Montana | 51 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 48 |
| 4 | Florida | 46 |
| 5 | Vermont | 44 |
| Rank | State | Composite Score |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Illinois | 18 |
| 45 | Louisiana | 18 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 13 |
| 47 | Connecticut | 10 |
| 48 | New York | 8 |
1. North Dakota (Score: 59)
North Dakota’s wide-open spaces, low population density, and high proportion of dog owners make it the clear leader. Access to state and national parkland allows dogs to live active, healthy lives.
North Dakota stands out as one of the best states for dog ownership. One of the reasons dogs thrive here is the access to outdoor spaces, such as, Bismarck’s Century Bark Park, for example, offers four fenced fields where dogs can run freely, and Medora’s Ruff Riders Dog Park is open year-round for pets to socialize and exercise.”
2. Montana (Score: 51)
Montana ranks highly due to its vast parklands, outdoor lifestyle, and strong pet ownership culture.
One of the things that makes Montana special for dogs is the sheer amount of outdoor space. Bozeman’s Snowfill Recreation Area alone spans 37 acres with two miles of trails, and cities like Billings and Great Falls offer dedicated dog parks where pets can run safely off-leash.
The climate here actually offers a lot of variety for outdoor activity. Mountain areas bring cold winters, while valleys are milder. Dogs get to enjoy hiking, skiing, and even swimming depending on the season. Pet owners just need to be mindful of seasonal extremes to keep their pets safe and comfortable
3. New Hampshire (Score: 48)
New Hampshire benefits from high dog ownership rates and a strong small-town culture that welcomes pets, alongside an active outdoor scene.
New Hampshire is a playground for dogs who love adventure and community. They can hike trails that climb above the treeline, splash in quiet lakes, or run along off-leash beaches that feel endless. All of this is underpinned by clear guidelines for pet access from the NH government website.
Across all seasons, dogs here get to swim, explore, parade, and play in ways that feel almost tailor-made for them. It’s rare to find a state where pets can have such a mix of adventure, freedom, and community all in one place.
4. Florida (Score: 46)
Florida’s warm climate and growing pet infrastructure help it rise to #4, despite challenges from heat and humidity.
Florida is an incredible place for dogs who love warmth and adventure, with long, sandy beaches perfect for early morning walks, shady trails for hiking, and lakes and rivers where dogs can swim and splash to their hearts’ content.
The growing pet infrastructure - like dog parks, groomers, and pet-friendly communities - makes it easy to keep dogs healthy and social, though owners have to be mindful of heat and humidity, planning walks in cooler hours and keeping water on hand to ensure their pets can enjoy the outdoors safely and happily.
5. Vermont (Score: 44)
Vermont combines affordability, greenery, and pet-friendly communities to secure its top-five position.
Vermont feels like a quiet paradise for dogs, with rolling hills, dense forests, and country roads that let dogs roam freely and safely, while small towns are pet-friendly, offering a sense of community where dogs can be part of everyday life; the state’s affordability allows owners to invest in their pets, from better food and vet care to long hikes and playful adventures in meadows and along trails, and every season brings something new, whether it’s spring wildflowers, autumn leaves, or winter snow.
44. Illinois (Score: 18)
Urban density, high costs, and limited pet-friendly rentals make Illinois challenging for owners.
45. Louisiana (Score: 18)
Louisiana struggles with humidity, low vet access, and high living costs for dog owners.
Louisiana offers mild winters and water adventures, which dogs can enjoy through bayou walks or splashing in ponds and rivers, but owners must contend with humidity, fewer vets in rural areas, and higher costs, so providing a safe, comfortable, and enriching life for a dog here demands careful attention to climate, health, and activity.
46. Rhode Island (Score: 13)
Rhode Island’s small size and high density reduce dog ownership quality.
Rhode Island’s small size and density mean dogs have less room to roam freely, but creative owners can make the most of off-leash beaches, quiet trails, and community green spaces, ensuring their pets stay active and happy despite the limited space, and with thoughtful planning, dogs can enjoy exploring parks, waterfronts, and hidden nooks across the state.
47. Connecticut (Score: 10)
High housing costs and fewer green spaces weigh heavily on dog ownership in Connecticut.
Connecticut offers beautiful scenery, but high housing costs and limited green space make it important for dog owners to seek out trails, dog parks, and quiet neighborhoods, combining indoor and outdoor play to give pets exercise, stimulation, and socialization, so that even in a dense environment, dogs can thrive with attentive care.
48. New York (Score: 8)
New York faces the steepest obstacles: higher costs, density, and pet rental restrictions.
“New York is tough for dogs, especially in urban areas where rents are high, apartments are small, and streets are crowded, but committed owners can still provide rich experiences through walks in parks, structured play sessions, trips to dog-friendly areas outside the city, and creative enrichment at home, making life challenging but rewarding for pets who get the attention, exercise, and interaction they need.
| Rank | State | Proportion of Dog Owners | Proportion of Rentals Allowing Dogs | Proportion of State and National Parks | Veterinarians per 100,000 people | Composite Score |
| 1 | North Dakota | 44.30% | 60.45% | 8.8% | 37.31 | 0.59 |
| 2 | Montana | 51.90% | 53.44% | 1.3% | 44.61 | 0.51 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 23.70% | 253.05% | 1.4% | 44.50 | 0.48 |
| 4 | Florida | 39.80% | 51.54% | 9.5% | 22.99 | 0.46 |
| 5 | Vermont | 28.30% | 28.12% | 6.1% | 52.45 | 0.44 |
| 6 | California | 40.00% | 47.19% | 9.2% | 21.46 | 0.44 |
| 7 | Nebraska | 47.10% | 67.75% | 0.1% | 37.07 | 0.40 |
| 8 | Washington | 42.80% | 67.65% | 4.6% | 24.07 | 0.38 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 28.90% | 38.38% | 9.7% | 25.26 | 0.37 |
| 10 | Maine | 35.90% | 35.03% | 3.3% | 38.29 | 0.35 |
| 11 | Missouri | 45.10% | 63.86% | 0.5% | 32.15 | 0.35 |
| 12 | Tennessee | 47.00% | 69.12% | 2.1% | 21.76 | 0.34 |
| 13 | Wyoming | 36.00% | 53.59% | 3.8% | 30.50 | 0.33 |
| 14 | New Jersey | 29.10% | 43.10% | 9.9% | 18.19 | 0.33 |
| 15 | Arizona | 43.00% | 69.29% | 3.7% | 18.59 | 0.33 |
| 16 | Indiana | 49.40% | 62.53% | 0.8% | 22.39 | 0.33 |
| 17 | North Carolina | 41.30% | 75.51% | 2.0% | 26.31 | 0.33 |
| 18 | Kansas | 43.10% | 69.68% | 0.2% | 31.44 | 0.33 |
| 19 | Oregon | 37.80% | 62.54% | 0.5% | 38.22 | 0.33 |
| 20 | Delaware | 42.20% | 58.46% | 2.2% | 26.23 | 0.32 |
| 21 | West Virginia | 49.60% | 40.49% | 1.5% | 22.04 | 0.32 |
| 22 | Kentucky | 46.50% | 53.05% | 0.6% | 27.02 | 0.32 |
| 23 | Mississippi | 51.00% | 45.39% | 1.8% | 17.67 | 0.32 |
| 24 | Arkansas | 51.60% | 58.20% | 0.5% | 19.31 | 0.31 |
| 25 | South Carolina | 45.30% | 68.98% | 0.6% | 23.88 | 0.31 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | 47.70% | 58.57% | 0.2% | 23.75 | 0.30 |
| 27 | Minnesota | 35.50% | 67.69% | 0.8% | 35.31 | 0.30 |
| 28 | Michigan | 41.90% | 49.31% | 2.7% | 22.75 | 0.30 |
| 29 | Alabama | 46.90% | 65.52% | 0.2% | 22.13 | 0.29 |
| 30 | Colorado | 27.10% | 78.44% | 1.3% | 39.58 | 0.28 |
| 31 | Virginia | 35.60% | 71.18% | 1.5% | 28.80 | 0.28 |
| 32 | Iowa | 36.30% | 48.53% | 0.2% | 36.15 | 0.27 |
| 33 | Texas | 43.40% | 73.46% | 1.1% | 18.65 | 0.27 |
| 34 | Utah | 36.20% | 62.97% | 4.2% | 17.40 | 0.26 |
| 35 | Pennsylvania | 38.90% | 49.77% | 1.2% | 24.51 | 0.25 |
| 36 | Ohio | 37.90% | 57.90% | 0.7% | 24.12 | 0.23 |
| 37 | Nevada | 36.80% | 64.90% | 1.2% | 21.08 | 0.22 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | 33.60% | 50.88% | 0.4% | 29.37 | 0.21 |
| 39 | Georgia | 36.70% | 71.10% | 0.3% | 21.51 | 0.21 |
| 40 | New Mexico | 39.40% | 62.59% | 0.9% | 16.36 | 0.20 |
| 41 | Idaho | 33.30% | 54.65% | 1.0% | 24.60 | 0.20 |
| 42 | South Dakota | 32.10% | 69.45% | 0.5% | 25.78 | 0.20 |
| 43 | Maryland | 30.20% | 69.04% | 2.2% | 19.97 | 0.19 |
| 44 | Illinois | 32.40% | 51.02% | 1.3% | 23.09 | 0.18 |
| 45 | Louisiana | 38.30% | 48.39% | 0.2% | 19.32 | 0.18 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 25.80% | 32.73% | 1.2% | 27.65 | 0.13 |
| 47 | Connecticut | 24.00% | 38.29% | 1.2% | 24.01 | 0.10 |
| 48 | New York | 27.00% | 45.32% | 1.3% | 16.00 | 0.08 |
Beginning with a list of all 50 US states, we gathered data for the following factors before normalising each factor and assigning equal weighting to each factor to reach an overall composite score.
Proportion of dog owners: The proportion of dog owners in each state in 2025, taken from PawlicyAdvisor.
Proportion of rental properties allowing dogs: The total number of rental properties in each state, divided by the number of rental properties that allow large and small dogs according to Zillow.
Proportion of state and national parks: The total area of State Parks in acres in each state, taken from World Population Review added to the total area of National Parks in each state taken from Mental Floss and converted to square miles using UnitConverters. This was then divided by the total land area in square miles of each state according to the United States Census Bureau.
Veterinarians per 100,000 people: The total number of veterinarians employed in each state, taken from The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics per 100,000 of the state population.
State population statistics were taken from World Population Review.
All data is correct as of 08/10/2025
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