Washington Among Top States with Pampered Dogs
January 8, 2024
Washington ranks third among states with the most spoiled dogs, according to a recent Forbes Advisor survey. Only Florida and Alaska outscored residents of the Evergreen State.
Forbes analyzed 10 key metrics from a nationwide survey of 10,000 dog owners.
Washingtonians are tops in spoiling their canine companions with doggy birthday parties (71.5%), homemade dog food or treats (73%), and taking their pooch on vacation (61%). They are runners-up in the percentage of dog owners who say they’ve ordered a special treat for their dog at a restaurant, buying outfits and accessories for their pet pooch, and spending more money on their dog’s health and grooming than they do on their own (66%).
Forbes researchers found more than one in five dog owners (22.2%) have spent more money on Christmas gifts for their dog than on gifts for their friends or family.
Among the metrics Forbes Advisor compared were:
- Percentage of dog owners who spend more money on their dog’s health and grooming than they do on their own (25% of score).
- Percentage of dog owners who have brought their dog on vacation (15% of score).
- Percentage of dog owners who regularly prepare homemade dog food or treats (15% of score).
- Percentage of dog owners who regularly throw birthday parties or other celebrations for their dogs (10% of score).
- Percentage of dog owners who take their dog to dog-friendly activities (10% of score).
The remaining 25% of the scores were evenly distributed by the percentage of dog owners who have pushed their canine friend in a stroller, who have put perfume or cologne on their dog, who have painted their dog’s nails, who have bought their dog outfits and accessories, and who have ordered their dog a special treat at a restaurant.
Four of the top 10 states with the most spoiled dogs are in the Pacific and West. In addition to Washington, those states are Alaska, Colorado, and California.
States with the least spoiled dogs were Oklahoma, Indiana, Wisconsin, Idaho, New Mexico, and South Carolina.