Study: Millennials Make Up a Quarter of All Pet Owners

by Diana Faria

Published: March 10th, 2016

study millennials make up a quarter of all pet owners

Forget human babies – it’s all about fur babies! The next generation is all about pets, and their spending habits prove it.

A new report by research publisher Packaged Facts has shed some light on Millennial pet parents in their new report “Millennials as Pet Market Consumers”. It reveals that Millennials, who are between the ages of 18-34 today, account for an amazing 31 percent of all pet owners.

This report analyzed a few things: it analyzes trends in the growth of the population of Millennial pet owners, provides a demographic profile of Millennial pet owners, analyzes their attitudes toward their loveable pets and highlights their pet care practices. Because the American population is quickly aging and most can no longer afford high-end pet products after the age of 60, the onus is on the youngest adult generation to spend their money on pet products in order to keep the market alive. The population between 40-54 (who, you’d think would spend more on pet products because of a steady job, almost finished paying their mortgage off, etc) is actually expected to spend less on these products.

Therefore, with the Gen X and Baby Boomer Generation on the spending decline, it’s up to the Millennials to pick up the pieces. The number of pet owners who are 35 years old or older made increased by 14 percent between 2007 and 2015, while the number of Millennial pet owners grew a whopping 25 percent!

Upon further inspection, households headed by Millennials consumers spent almost $11 billion on their pets as early as 2014! This is great news for the pet product market. Packaged Facts suggested that, based on this data, Millennials will be responsible for adding another 2.6 million pet owners between 2015 and 2020. Not only does this put a smile on marketer’s faces, but it also means good news for dogs who are waiting to be adopted: your time could be soon!

Why this all spending? It’s pretty easy to explain: those who are between the ages of 18-34 today are entering (or have recently entered) a stage in their lives that allow for expanding their family by adding a four-legged member to the family and, in turn, buy products to keep their pet comfortable. This is usually the time where long-term jobs are landed and steady pay begins (clearly, I am an awful example of this trend). Furthermore, because we are not suffering through a major crisis such as a depression (although some would argue products are more expensive now than ever), this allows for spending on pets, something our grandparents and even some of our parents never had the financial means to do.

Diana Faria

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There’s no denying it – we use social media to update the world on our everything we love. New information shows that pooch parents tend to use social media for pet postings approximately once a day! People love their pets. Really love their pets. This shows in the exponential increases in pet product sales and offerings in the last few years. As part of a second study done late last year by BarkBox, new research shows that dog owners are peppering their social media accounts with pictures of their dogs, and creating more and more social media pages dedicated solely to their pups. Last year’s study showed that pet parents were happier and healthier on average when compared to surveyed non-pet parents. The results of this second part focused on how dog parents behave on social media when it comes to posts and information sharing about their pets. Related: Study: Dogs Respond to Baby Talk Cementing the belief that Americans are dog-obsessed (and, um, why wouldn’t we be???), the BarkBox study found that on average, dog owners use social media accounts to post a picture or talk about their dog about six times a week–essentially an average of about a post a day is somehow related to their dog. More, the study found that on average, dog parents watch a dog video or look at dog pictures at least three times a week in various social media formats. Add to that finding that one in ten pet-people (of 1006) surveyed even created and maintain a unique social media account solely for their dog, and it seems that America is goo-goo for it’s dogs! When looking more specifically at the pictures taken by pooch-parents of their dogs, the study found that 20% of the pictures on cellular phones are of their dogs–which is higher than the percentage of pictures of trips or vacations (15%) or selfies of themselves (15%) also found on their phones. Additionally more than 42% of dog people polled use a photo of their dog as their screensaver/wall photo on their mobile devices or computer desktops. Related: Study: Millennials Make Up a Quarter of all Pet Owners The study also found that Millennials had a tendency to use technology like webcams to keep an eye on and get ‘fixes’ of their pups when not together, over non-Millennials (24% vs 13%). Millennials are actually nearly three times as likely to Skype or Facetime their dogs (23% vs. 8%) than their older counterparts, indicating that a younger generation more familiar with current technology makes the most of ways to keep in contact with their dogs even when physically separated. Being separated from one’s dog is often a reality due to the regular obligations of life, and so to ease the concern when apart, over 30% of pet parents say they have a security camera (or cameras) for their residences that they mostly use as a way to keep an eye on their dog. So, go ahead…post pictures of Fido chewing on his favorite bone in the middle of the day for everyone to ooohhh and ahhhh over! You’ll be in great company!

Can Dogs Get A Sunburn?

While your pooch might enjoy basking in the sun, you should be mindful of the potentially harmful effect UV exposure might have. Yes, same as it is the case with us humans, dogs are also susceptible to the damage harsh sun rays can cause. Humans, of course, will get sunburn if they don’t use protective sunscreen or stay in the shade, but is it the same for dogs? Most of them have fur, so does it relate to them as well? Let’s find out.Can Dogs Get Sunburn?Well, fur or no – sun can be certainly dangerous for dogs, especially if they are exposed to it for longer periods. And that means that sunburn can affect them as well. In fact, if the UV index is high, the strong rays of the sun can damage the skin incredibly quickly. Of course, it is important to know that certain breeds are more susceptible to sunburn than others, especially those with less fur. For example, breeds like French bulldogs, boxers, chihuahuas, greyhounds, and bull terriers will need more protection than usual. Hairless dog breeds are especially vulnerable, like the Chinese crested and Mexican hairless (xoloitzcuintli). Similarly, doggos that spend most of their time outside are more susceptible to sunburn, as well as fair-skinned dogs – with light pink skin underneath their coats.Symptoms of Sunburn in DogsWhile it’s hard to miss sunburnt skin in humans, how do you spot sunburn on your dog, considering that they have fur?Red or pink skin:Sunburned skin will change color – pink will indicate a mild sunburn, while a deeper shade of red will indicate a severe one. Of course, it could be difficult to spot this, especially if your dog’s coat is black, so make a thorough check-up if you suspect your pet has a sunburn. Dry and flaky skinIf you notice dry and flaky skin, this could be an indication of a sunburn. This is the first noticeable symptom in the days following sunburn. It can be accompanied by vigorous scratching, as it often feels itchy and uncomfortable. Blisters or soresHeavily sunburned skin will erupt in blisters that will eventually pop. They often require veterinary care, especially if they are numerous and cause obvious discomfort.Of course, urgent care is always needed to treat sunburn. Besides going to the vet, there are a number of things you can do as a caring owner to both prevent and treat sunburn. How Do You Treat Sunburn In Dogs?In case of a milder sunburn, you can treat the issue at home, with natural remedies. Apply a cool, damp cloth to the affected area to soothe the skin, or use a dog-safe aloe vera gel to moisturize the irritated skin and help it heal faster.

Scientists Developing AI Technology To Decipher Your Dog’s Barking

There is no dog owner out there who doesn’t wish to understand their pet’s bark! And now that artificial intelligence is evolving and expanding with each new day, it seems that this seemingly impossible feat can now become a reality.A research team at the University of Michigan is now studying how exactly artificial intelligence can be used to help understand the way dogs communicate. The scientists are developing special AI tools that will ultimately help understand whether a dog’s bark is aggressive, or shows playful intentions. And that is not all – AI will help gather crucial information from the bark, such as the breed, age, and sex of the dog. “By using speech processing models initially trained on human speech, our research opens a new window into how we can leverage what we built so far in speech processing to start understanding the nuances of dog barks,” said Rada Mihalcea, director of the University of Michigan’s AI laboratory.Throughout the course of the study, the team studied vocalizations from 74 different dogs, all in various contexts. They quickly realized that AI models that were originally trained on human speech could now be a great starting point to help train new AI systems made specifically to understand animal communication.“There is so much we don’t yet know about the animals that share this world with us,” said Mihalcea. “Advances in AI can be used to revolutionize our understanding of animal communication, and our findings suggest that we may not have to start from scratch.”Mihalcea also adds that all their findings indicate that “the sounds and patterns originating from human speech can form the basis for examining and comprehending the acoustic patterns of other sounds, including animal vocalizations”.But even so, using AI to analyze dog communication is hindered, as there is still a lack of data available publicly.“Animal vocalizations are logistically much harder to solicit and record,” said Artem Abzaliev, lead author of the study. “They must be passively recorded in the wild or, in the case of domestic pets, with the permission of owners.”Besides this, scientists were also able to reuse a model that analyzed human speech. This helped them to “tap into” major voice-enabled technologies that can actually recognize spoken words and those speaking them.“These models are able to learn and encode the incredibly complex patterns of human language and speech,” Abzaliev adds. “We wanted to see if we could leverage this ability to discern and interpret dog barks.”What is more, according to the study the research will also have major implications for animal welfare. If we can understand dog vocalizations, it can help us respond better to the needs of our pets.

Do Dogs Sweat?

As the hot summer months roll in with a bang, you might find yourself drenched in sweat. With the climate going haywire, it is a common thing all across the world. While trying to cool down, you might be wondering if your pet is doing the same– do dogs sweat like humans do? To answer this question, it is important to understand how dogs regulate their body temperature and to dive deep into the intriguing aspects of canine physiology. Do Dogs Sweat?Humans have a well-developed system of sweat glands that are distributed across the skin’s surface. These glands are known as eccrine glands and they play a crucial role in thermoregulation by secreting sweat, which cools down the body as it evaporates. Dogs, however, have a totally different “mechanism” for managing heat.Of course, they also have sweat glands, but these are primarily located in their paw pads. They are called merocrine glands and are similar to human eccrine glands but are less numerous and less effective at cooling the body. While doggos can produce a small amount of sweat through their paw pads, it is still not enough to significantly impact their overall body temperature.So how do they cool themselves? Well, the primary way dogs regulate their body temperature is through panting. When a dog pants, it rapidly breathes in through the nose and out through the mouth, allowing moisture to evaporate from the tongue, mouth, and upper respiratory tract. This process effectively dissipates heat and cools the dog down. Panting also increases the airflow over the moist surfaces, enhancing evaporation and heat loss.

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Some NY Hospitals Permit ESAs to Visit Their Owners After They Give

Some hospitals in New York are allowing patients’ dogs to be present and offer support to their owners after they give birth. The Northwell Health hospitals, which are the largest health system in New York, allow pregnant women to bring their emotional support dogs to the postpartum unit. Lisa Schavrein, the nurse navigator in OBGYN at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital who helps arrange these visits, told the People: “We have a 40-week lead time before our patients walk through the door. So there should be nothing about you that we’re not prepared for. Anything that requires an extra level of care comes through me.”This gives pregnant women with anxiety or depression an opportunity to have their emotional support dog present for one of the most important moments in their lives. “Having a baby at baseline causes anxiety with or without a pre-existing condition, so if you use an emotional support animal to calm you and you want them to help, to me it’s a no-brainer,” said Schavrein. Patients interested in bringing their emotional support dog into a postpartum unit must follow some rules, though. Women planning to give birth at the Lenox Hill Hospital must provide their dog’s emotional support paperwork before their due date so the nurse navigator can arrange everything. This usually involves notifying the hospital’s security team and staff in advance so that they are prepared for the arrival of the emotional support animal.Additionally, to come into the hospital, the emotional support dog must be hypoallergenic so it won’t affect other patients. A patient’s family member or a friend must be present while the dog is staying in the hospital, so there is someone to take the pup out for bathroom breaks. Emotional support animals aren’t allowed in the hospital labor and delivery units to ensure the safety of all patients and the staff. Instead, the dog is taken straight to visit their owner in the postpartum unit. “It’s a huge comfort to them,” said Schavrein. “Some people don’t even end up having their animals come. They are just comforted to know that they can bring their emotional support animal if they need it.”Natalie Reyes Bursky and her husband, Ryan Bursky, experienced first-hand how much comfort an emotional support dog can offer in this situation. Natalie gave birth at the Lenox Hill Hospital in 2023 and had her emotional support dog Magita, visit her at the postpartum unit shortly after delivery.Natalie had Magita long before she got married and became pregnant. The two crossed paths in 2011 in Chile, while Magita was just a puppy. Three years later Magita become Natali’s emotional support animal. Natalie, who struggled with depression and anxiety for years, finds Magita’s calm demeanor soothing and that’s one of the reasons she brings her pooch with her everywhere. So, when Natalie and Ryan learned that Magita could visit them at the Lenox Hill Hospital postpartum unit, they jumped at the opportunity to arrange their dog’s visit with Schavrein.The couple was sure that Magita’s presence would provide comfort and stability to Natalie in the hours after birth, especially since Magita was trained to be a hospital therapy dog. However, they couldn’t imagine how vital the dog’s presence would be.After experiencing a very sudden and intense labor, Natalie was extremely grateful for Magia’s ability to bring a sense of serenity and comfort. “I didn’t have my baby at that point. He was in the NICU. I couldn’t move or get up, but my dog was there and she provided comfort,” said Natalie. “It was incredible. She got to lie on a blanket right next to me.” “I would recommend this for somebody who has struggled with their mental health, especially as it's becoming less stigmatized to talk openly about mental health. It meant the world to me to be able to have Magita there,” added Natalie. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

New Bill Will Eliminate Housing Barriers for Pet Owners In California

California tenants with pets rejoice - a new bill that stops landlords from denying housing to pet owners is in the works!The chair of the California Legislative Renters Caucus, Matt Haney, has introduced legislation that would compel landlords to accept tenants with pets. The bill, AB 2216, will insist that landlords have reasonable reason(s) for not allowing a pet in the rental unit. The biggest change, however, is that the bill prevents property owners from asking about pet ownership before the tenant’s application has been approved.The new bill, which is sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, aims to solve a big problem in the rental world - a surplus of tenants with pets and a lack of landlords willing to rent to them.California has one of the highest number of tenants in the country, and close to 70% of them are pet owners. Alas, under current law, only around 30% of all rentals are pet-friendly. The lack of pet-friendly housing is causing almost a million tenants to keep pets in their rentals hidden from their landlords. This solves nothing. On one hand, landlords are left without adequate coverage for potential damages. On the other hand, pet owners are left living in constant fear of being kicked out of their homes. Andrea Amavisca, a senior legislative advocate at the California Immigration Policy Center, told the LA Times that she and her partner spent over a month looking for a two-bedroom rental in Sacramento that would allow for a small cattle dog mix.“Landlords that initially liked our application would suddenly stop answering our calls once they found out we had a dog. Or others would require a pet deposit close to $1,000 that would put the unit totally out of our budget.”Amavisca added it felt unfair that almost every landlord had a different pet policy with varying fees they could change as they pleased. Some landlords charged only $20 a month while others asked for four-figure cleaning deposits. The new bill doesn’t address fees and doesn’t prevent landlords from excluding certain types of pets. Haney’s legislation defines a common household pet as a domesticated animal, such as a cat or dog, that is kept in the home for pleasure rather than commercial uses. While pet owners are relieved to hear about the legislation, property owners are already expressing their concerns. The biggest issue is that landlords will be forced to take on pets, and the increased risk of potential property damage that comes with pets, without a pet deposit as a safeguard. Haney explained that exceptions would be made for landlords with reasonable excuses for not allowing pets on their property. “What we see too often is just these blanket prohibitions of pets with no good reason for it, with no required justification for it and no protection of pet owners, who represent the majority of California’s renters, to be able to access housing just like anyone else,” said Haney.According to Jenny Berg, California director for the Humane Society of the United States, extra fees and bans add to the overcrowding crisis in animal shelters nationwide. “One of the reasons why people relinquish their pets is because they can’t find affordable housing or housing at all that can accommodate their pets,” she said. Haney’s bill could make a massive change, as it would remove the barriers tenants face when looking for housing for them and their four-legged companions.“We want a renter to be considered first and decision made about whether they meet the requirements for the apartment,” said Haney. “And then, after that fact, they disclose that they have a pet. And only if there’s a reasonable rationale to deny them, that would be allowed.” Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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Study Finds Designer Dogs At High Risk of Tick Infestation

If you are regularly finding ticks in your dog’s coat, you might be wondering if there’s something special about your pooch that makes it more prone to attracting these blood-sucking pests than other dogs. Well, a new study can shed some light. Researchers from Royal Veterinary Colledge (RVC) have discovered that some dog breeds are more likely to become infested by ticks. The study revealed that popular designer crossbreeds such as cavapoo, cockapoo, goldendoodle, and cavachon have an increased risk of tick infestation due to their poodle heritage. Researchers identified standard poodles as the second most likely breed to become infested by ticks, suggesting that ticks find the poodle’s curly coat particularly appealing. “There is no single perfect dog breed so it is critical that we fully understand the strengths and weaknesses for the breed we choose to bring into our own family. Owners of dogs that are either poodle or have poodle heritage can now be aware of the need to routinely check their dogs for ticks and to perhaps ensure the coats of these dogs are kept short,” said Dr. Dan O’Neil, lead author of the study. Designer dog breeds have become extremely popular among pet lovers in recent years. Poodles are often crossed with other pure breeds to create designer hybrids, mainly because of their low-shedding coats which are considered hypoallergenic. However, this new study points out that designer dogs are at an increased risk of tick infestations because of the poodle’s curly coat. The RVC’s VetCommpass study analyzed a random sample of veterinary health records of 900,000 dogs in the UK. The results showed that ticks are a common parasite in dogs, with one in every 50 dogs diagnosed with at least one tick infestation during five years. Researchers also looked at possible risk factors to understand what makes some dogs more likely to attract ticks than others. The possible risk factors included traits such as skull shape, breed purity, coat, and body weight. While the study found that newer designer breeds had a higher risk of tick infestation, it also discovered that some pure breeds are also at high risk. These included the cairn terrier, standard poodle, golden retriever, Person Russell terrier, and miniature schnauzer. Interestingly, researchers have established that Staffordshire bull terriers, rottweilers, Chihuahuas, and English bulldogs have the lowest risks of tick infestation. The study also found that male dogs had a 1.24 higher risk of attracting ticks than female dogs. Dogs with medium-length coats and pooches with V-shaped drop, or long, floppy ears also exhibited an increased risk of tick infestation. “Ticks aren’t just pests that feast on your dog and cause them to itch; they can also be carriers of serious diseases. They can be dangerous for any age of dog and indeed any breed - although this paper shows that some dogs can be more susceptible to picking them up due to their coat - so it’s important owners know what to do if they spot one,” said Bill Lambert, Welfare and Breeding Service Executive at The Kennel Club. Ticks are blood-sucking parasites that attach to a dog’s skin and can stay there for up to a week, before falling off when they are full of blood. In addition to feeding on a dog’s blood, ticks also transmit diseases. The most common tick-borne diseases that affect dogs are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, hepatozoonosis, and bartonellosis. These are serious diseases that can have detrimental health consequences for dogs if not treated in time. Although ticks normally live in woodlands and grasslands, they can be found in urban areas and popular hiking trails. The best way to protect your pooch is to stay up to date with your dog’s tick prevention. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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Does My Cat Need a Litter Box When Travelling?

Traveling with your best furry friend by your side can be an exciting adventure. It’s a great opportunity to make lifelong memories while strengthening that special bond. However, some questions about their essential needs will naturally arise as you start planning…One of the biggest concerns for cat owners is whether or not to bring a litter box. It’s a valid question!This article will explore the pros and cons of traveling with a litter box. I’ll also discuss the different litter box types available and which may be best suited for different forms of travel, including road trips, camping, hotel stays, and more.Ensure a smooth journey for both you and your cat by checking out these tips and recommendations:Do Cats Need a Litter Box When Traveling?Whether or not your cat will need a litter box during your travels will depend on the style of travel you plan. Setting your cat up comfortably in your vehicle for a long road trip makes it much easier to provide access to a litter box during travel than flying with a cat.You must also consider the length of your travels, where you will stay overnight, and other factors related to your vacation plans. While your cat can take a flight safely without access to a box (assuming they have been given a chance to do their business before boarding the plane and after you have landed), the same can’t be said for an overnight stay at a pet-friendly hotel.Let’s break it all down a little further…How Do You Travel with a Cat Without a Litter Box?Some travel plans simply can’t accommodate the use of a litter box. The most common example of this is flying with a cat. However, litter boxes are also off the table when taking your cat on other forms of public transit, like a bus or train.If you know your cat will be without their litter box for an extended period, allow them to “do their business” right before your travels begin. Many airports have dog bathroom stations, where you could also go to let your cat relieve themselves. Alternatively, you may choose to let them have their last bathroom break before leaving your cat to enter the airport.One way to handle this is to bring a disposable litter box with a small amount of litter when you leave the house. Alternatively, if your cat is a frequent traveler, you may be able to train them to do their business on a puppy pee pad. This is easier to bring along in these situations and easier to dispose of when they are finished.It is also recommended to not feed your cat at least six hours before any travel where a litter box won’t be available. This allows any food in their system to hopefully pass, reducing the risk they will need to go and, in turn, preventing accidents. Although, I still recommend lining their carrier with a pee pad as an extra layer of protection.How Long Can Cats Go Without a Litter Box?Will your cat be without a litter box for a while during travel? Don’t fret! While you shouldn’t encourage your cat to “hold it” on a regular basis, cats have been known to go 24-48 hours safely without going to the bathroom. This is, of course, the extreme. However, it does mean that a 6-hour flight isn’t a significant concern.Of course, every cat is different. Some cats will be able to wait this time without a problem. Others, however, may need to go to the bathroom more frequently. This is especially important to note if you have a kitten, a senior cat, or a cat with a medical condition that could impact their bathroom needs.What is the Best Type of Litter Box for Your Cat-Friendly Travels?There are several different types of cat litter boxes to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. Let’s look at the options available and which may be the best choice for your next vacation (and why):Standard Plastic Litter BoxesIf you are traveling in an RV or travel trailer, you may be able to bring your cat’s usual litter box. Some common places to place a box include inside a floor-level cupboard, under a bench seat, or in the shower area when the shower isn’t in use.The biggest benefit of bringing your cat’s litter box from home is familiarity. Your cat knows that box, and it already has their scent. While the box's location is obviously going to change, having so many familiar elements may make it easier for your cat to adjust, reducing the risk of accidents.Cloth Travel Litter BoxesThese travel litter boxes are constructed from a durable material with a leak-proof lining, creating a lighter-weight solution for travel. I recommend choosing a cloth box with a lid. This allows you to seal off the box, keeping the litter (and odor) contained and allowing you to make a litter box accessible when needed without having to empty and refill it each time. Cloth boxes also usually have some form of carrying handle.The HiCaptain Portable Travel Litter Box is an excellent example of a standard cloth travel box. However, if your cat is used to a covered box at home, you may want to splurge on the Petsfit Upgrade Travel Portable Cat Litter Box.Nylon Travel Litter BoxA favorite of mine for travel due to how small it folds up, the OutdoorBengal Travel Litter Box for Cats is a portable and fully collapsible litter box option that folds up smaller than any other box on this list. We often use this box when backpacking or backcountry camping, where we are extremely limited on space for our gear.When your cat needs to use the box, snap the four corners together, and this flat piece of material transforms into a square box. It is constructed with a waterproof Oxford liner that can be easily wiped clean with a disinfectant wipe for quick and effective cleaning.

Survey Finds America’s Most Dog-Friendly Cities, You May Be Surprise

The number of Americans embracing a pet-friendly lifestyle is on the rise, and we’re here for it! We read announcements and news articles daily about businesses introducing pet policies and welcoming our furry friends into their establishments.However, if you’ve been traveling with your pup, you know that not all cities are created equally. Some locations truly shine—not only welcoming dogs but also creating an environment where they can live their lives to the fullest. From dog-friendly patios and shops to beautiful park spaces, these cities are rolling out the red carpet.Interested in finding the best locations for our best friends? MarketWatchGuides studied the country's 98 biggest cities, ranking them based on seven dog-friendly metrics, including:Number of pet activities per 100,000 peopleNumber of dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 peopleNumber of dog-friendly apartments per 100,000 peopleNumber of dog-friendly weather days (days where the high did not exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the low did not drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit)Number of dog parks per 100,000 peopleNumber of vet offices per 100,000 peopleAverage vet costsUsing these findings, they gave each city a ranking out of 100 in 3 categories—Dog Friendliness, Dog Walkability, and Pet Health—as well as an overall score out of 100, allowing them to rank the cities from most dog-friendly to least dog-friendly. The findings may have you reconsidering what part of the country you call home!According to the study, Raleigh, North Carolina, was the most dog-friendly city in the United States, with an impressive overall ranking of 80.3. While the city did rank low on a couple of factors (namely, the number of dog-friendly weather days and the number of dog parks), it scored high enough in the other metrics to earn the top spot.Most impressively, the city scored 91.2 on the Pet Health Score, which considered the number of vet offices and average vet costs.Other cities that managed to earn a spot in the top 10 most dog-friendly cities included:Nashville, Tennessee (78.2)Madison, Wisconsin (77.4)Lexington, Kentucky (76.7)Boise, Idaho (76.5)Austin, Texas (74.3)Portland, Oregon (73.9)Cincinnati, Ohio (73.4)Seattle, Washington (72.6)Greensboro, North Carolina (71.1)Of course, ranking these cities on an overall score may not appeal to every dog parent. While one may prioritize finding a city with the lowest vet costs, another may be willing to pay a little more to enjoy a location with more dog-friendly restaurants.Recognizing this, they then broke down a few fun stats to consider:The city with the most dog-friendly restaurants per capita was Orlando, Florida. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, North Las Vegas, Nevada, took the title of the fewest dog-friendly restaurants per capita.The most accessible pet health care in the United States can be found in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.Does your dog love heading out for a “Pup Cup” on a warm day? The Starbucks chain first popularized this tasty treat, referring to the small cup of whipped cream as “Puppuccinos.” If the very mention of a Pup Cup has your dog’s tail wagging, you may want to visit Atlanta, Georgia, where you can find the most locations offering pup cups per capita.Wherever your pet-friendly travels take you, check out our list of Dog Travel Essentials to set you (and your dog) up for success!Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

How to Tell If a Dog Is Dehydrated?

Summer is in full swing, and drinking plenty of water is very important for everyone – our dogs included. Dehydration in dogs is a very serious condition that can lead to many health issues if it is not addressed promptly. Recognizing the signs of dehydration early can make a significant difference in your dog’s well-being. So here are the basic things to know, including symptoms, causes, and preventative measures. How to Tell If a Dog Is Dehydrated?When it comes to spotting signs of all health issues in dogs, it all boils down to being attentive and making sure you don’t miss any cues from your pooch. Knowing the symptoms of dehydration in dogs will help you tremendously as you’ll know precisely what to look for, ensuring a quick response and timely treatment for your four-legged bestie.#1 Dry nose and gums:One of the first noticeable signs of dehydration in dogs is a dry nose and gums. Normally, a dog’s nose should be moist, and the gums should be pink and moist as well. But if you notice that your pet’s nose and gums are dry, it could be an indication of dehydration.#2 Loss of skin elasticity:Skin elasticity is a key indicator of hydration levels. Gently pinch the skin on the back of your dog’s neck or between the shoulders. In a well-hydrated doggo, the skin should quickly return to its normal position. If the skin, however, stays tented or takes a long time to go back, it is a sign of dehydration. #3 Sunken eyes:Dehydration can cause a dog’s eyes to appear sunken and lack their usual brightness. This is a more severe symptom and indicates that the dehydration has been ongoing or is at a critical level.#4 Lethargy and weakness:Dehydrated dogs often show signs of lethargy and weakness. They might be less active than usual, unwilling to play, or have difficulty standing or walking. #5 Panting or rapid breathing:While panting is normal for dogs, excessive panting or rapid breathing can be a symptom of dehydration, especially if it is not related to any recent physical activity or high outside temperatures.#6 Dry and sticky saliva:Dehydrated dogs may have thick, sticky saliva instead of the usual watery type. This is a noticeable change that can indicate your dog needs more fluids.It is important to remember that there can be various causes of dehydration, and one needs to consider all of them. For example, the main cause of dehydration in dogs tends to be inadequate water intake. Dogs may not drink enough water due to many reasons, such as stress, illness, or changes in their environment. Make sure that they always have a source of fresh water, even if you are outside. If your dog isn’t too keen on drinking water, try encouraging them with a pet water fountain – moving, fresh water tends to have a better taste and the novelty of the fountain usually motivates dogs to drink more than they usually do.

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