Where do the most responsible dog owners live?

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.

Washington ranked as the No. 1 state with the most responsible dog owners by a wide margin (13 points in the ranking index).

According to the results, 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 the 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.

American dog owners are quite responsible when it comes to keeping up with the general health and preventative care of their dogs. The study found that more than four-fifths (84%) of dog owners report that their pet is up to date on vaccinations.

Meanwhile, only 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 also 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.

States With The Most Responsible Dog Owners

• 1. Washington 
• 2. New York
• 3. Maryland
• 4. Florida
• 5. Georgia
• 6. Vermont
• 7. Texas
• 8. New Hampshire
• 9. New Jersey
• 10. Alaska

States With The Least Responsible Dog Owners

• 1. Arizona
• 2. Idaho
• 3. Oklahoma
• 4. Kentucky
• 5. New Mexico

Editorial Note: This story was originally published on Forbes Advisor.