Whether we call them fur babies, furry/feathered friends, or man’s best friend, our pets mean a lot to us .
The numbers back that up.
Nearly 87 million families in the U.S. own a pet, or about 66% of households, according to the American Pet Products Association. And Americans spent $147 billion on pet expenses like food, medicine, vet care, grooming and more in 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute .
Personal finance site WalletHub released a study ranking the most pet friendly cities in the country, and four Ohio cities made the list: Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus, and Toledo.
100 of the largest U.S. cities were evaluated based on pet budget, pet health and wellness, and outdoor pet friendliness. “The most pet-friendly cities aren’t just those where it’s cheapest to own an animal and take care of its health,” said WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe. “Many factors contribute to a good environment for pets, from the availability of vets and pet-friendly stores to the prevalence of parks and how walkable each city is.”