Most dog parents in the United States pamper their dogs to some degree. Dogs are so cute that we can’t resist buying more treats and toys for them only to see their eyes light up with excitement. According to a recent study, location can have an impact on how spoiled dogs are.
Advisor Forbes surveyed 5,002 dog owners in the US to find out which states have the most and least spoiled dogs. The categories for rating these “degree of damage” are quirky, and some of the results may surprise you. So let’s look at how different states rank in this survey.
How are results determined?
Each dog lover who took part in the survey answered a series of questions about how much time and money they spent with their furry friends. Here are some of the topics the survey covered:
- If they make their own dog food
- How often their dogs get special treatment
- If their dog goes on vacation with them
- If they had a birthday party for their dogs
- How much do they spend on their dogs compared to their significant other?
- If they buy accessories for their dogs
Then, by taking the average of the results, Advisor Forbes ranked each state on a number from 1 to 100 based on how spoiled the dogs were.
The states with the most spoiled dogs
The following five states had the highest numbers in the survey. Although they are all under 50, they are significantly taller than the rest of the states.
New York – 44.95
New York has the most spoiled dogs, which is influenced by the following statistics:
- 40% of dog parents in New York spend more money pampering their dog than their significant other.
- 55% of New Yorkers surveyed spend more money on the health and grooming of their dogs than they do on their own.
- 59% buy their dog apparel and accessories.
- 51% have asked their dog for a special treat while at a restaurant.
- 42% regularly throw their dog’s birthday party.
- 25% pushed their dog in a stroller.
New York City apartments may not have a lot of space for dogs to run around, but pet parents make up for that by pampering their dogs in other ways. Plus, there’s no shortage of fun places for dogs and their humans to walk to!
California – 41.25
California is a huge state with lots of parent dogs, so there’s a lot of room for dog spoiling. Here are the results for California dog parents:
- 56% of California dog lovers are likely to order their pet a special treat, such as puppuccino from Starbucks.
- 53% spend more money on their dog’s health than on their own.
- 51% will hold the dog when they don’t want to go for a walk.
- 38% regularly organize birthday parties for dogs.
- 19% push their dog in a stroller.
Some might argue that dogs in California are just as spoiled as dogs in New York but in different ways.
Washington – 40.05
Washington is not far behind with these startling statistics:
- 52% of dog parents in Washington have taken their dogs on vacation.
- 54% are likely to order special treats for their dogs at restaurants.
- 38% regularly prepare homemade meals for their pups.
Seattle is one of the The most dog-friendly city in the US, so it makes sense that there the dogs would be spoiled. Plus, it even has a dog food truck!
Pennsylvania – 39.4
Pennsylvania dog lovers are proud to show off their pampered dogs, and here are some areas where they excel:
- 64% of pet parents in Pennsylvania buy costumes and accessories for their dogs.
- 35% spend more money pampering their dogs than their significant other.
So you can expect to see a lot of Pennsylvania patrol style canines.
New Jersey – 39.2
New Jersey ranks right behind Pennsylvania, but they excel in different ways, such as:
- 40% of dog lovers in New Jersey regularly throw their dog’s birthday party.
- 22% push the dog for a walk in the stroller.
Although New Jersey is one of the smallest states, they are always concerned with making sure their dogs are loved.
USA with the least spoiled dogs
Every state has a number of spoiled dogs, but parent dog owners from certain states are unlikely to be higher and farther away to pamper their pups. That’s not to say they’re bad dog parents, but instead, they just care about their dogs in a different way. Here are the three lowest ranked states.
South Dakota – 24.75
South Dakota has the lowest number of spoiled dogs and here’s how the number is determined:
- Only 10% of dog parents in South Dakota throw a dog birthday party, making them the state with the fewest dog parties.
- Only 17% spend more on their dogs than their significant other, also ranking them lowest in that category.
- 13% cook their own dog meals while others prefer more convenient options.
- 33% buy accessories for their dogs.
So there are still some people in South Dakota who buy special things for their dogs, but they are far from the masses.
Arkansas – 24.95
Arkansas is the second lowest state in terms of dog spoilage. Here are a few of their stats:
- 25% of Arkansas pet parents ordered their dog a special treat at a restaurant.
- 30% have taken their dog on vacation with them.
Other rates are even lower, suggesting that Arkansas dog lovers occasionally take their puppies on adventures, but they may not be spending money on luxury pet items.
Wyoming – 26.05
Wyoming ranks a bit higher, but it still doesn’t excel at spoiling dogs. Here’s why:
- Only 4% of dog parents in Wyoming are willing to push their dog in a stroller.
- 16% throw their dog’s birthday party.
- 26% order special treats for their dogs at restaurants.
- 31% have purchased their dog’s accessories and outfits.
It’s not unheard of for Wyomings to indulge their furry friends, but only a small percentage of the population do.
Are these results accurate?
While this survey can give us a general idea of which states spoil dogs the most, it is based only on a few specific questions. It focuses a lot on how much we spend on our dogs, it’s not the only way we can pamper them. For some dogs, spending quality time with them is better than anything enjoyable.
Plus, the survey doesn’t seem to suggest that not all dogs enjoy being pampered in the same ways. Some dogs may be too nervous to go on vacation while others may be upset if they have to wear accessories. So those actions won’t spoil them if they don’t like it.
Despite some flaws in the survey, it’s still interesting to see how some states differ when it comes to pet care. Everyone’s dog groomers are different, so don’t be embarrassed if your status ranks as one of the lowest.
See the full list of state rankings here.
