Top Pet Spending Cities in America
Where do resident spend the most on their furry friends?
Whether you own a dog, cat, or something with scales, being a pet owner can be expensive. A March 2012 survey by the American Pet Products Association estimates that 72.9 million homes in the U.S. own a pet, and that Americans will spend more than $52 billion this year on pet food, vet care, and grooming, among other pet-related expenses.
(Click here to see the infographic in high resolution.)
Pet spending varies depending on the size and type of your furry friend. Here's what you can expect to spend on a medium size dog, according to the ASPCA:
Don't forget about the unexpected costs pet owners incur when their critters get sick. John Grogan, author of Marley and Me, says he paid $7,000 to a veterinary hospital to try to save his six-year-old Labrador, Gracie.Some U.S. cities have a greater numbers of cat fanatics, dog devotees, lizard lovers and other domesticated family members than others. We looked at the top 100 cities in the U.S. for pet-related spending, and, according to our data (which is sourced from the U.S. government, anonymous and aggregated spending transactions from Citi, and third-party data providers), households in Scottsdale, Ariz. spend more on their pets than any other city in the U.S. — a median of $47.88 a month, nearly twice the U.S. monthly median of $23.96. In fact, four Arizona cities made it on our Top 10 list, making the Grand Canyon state the pet-friendliest in America.
10. Phoenix, Ariz.
Residents median monthly spending on pets: $33.38
9. Greensboro, N.C.
Residents median monthly spending on pets: $33.63
8. Dallas, Texas
Residents median monthly spending on pets: $33.63
7. Virginia Beach, Va.
Residents median monthly spending on pets: $33.75
6. Nashville, Tenn.
Residents median monthly spending on pets: $34.25
5. Colorado Springs, Colo.
Residents median monthly spending on pets: $35.75
4. Chandler, Ariz.
Residents median monthly spending on pets: $35.88
3. Tucson, Ariz.
Residents median monthly spending on pets: $36.50
2. Durham, N.C.
Residents median monthly spending on pets: $38.13
1. Scottsdale, Ariz.
Residents median monthly spending on pets: $47.88
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Wow! I don't know what kind of care or food these "top" cities provide for their pets. I have a lab, a shih tzu, and three cats, and I spend an average of $120 per month for their food and for flea preventative. That isn't counting treats or if one of them needs the vet. They must be feeding crap food to their pets.
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