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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
With seven national parks and acres of open space, it isn’t that surprising that the state has the highest pet ownership rates in the country, with 72% of all Wyoming households owning at least one pet. Another reason for the popularity of pets may be the fact that Wyoming has the lowest average pet insurance rates, so owners can protect their animals and themselves against unexpected illnesses and injuries.
Below are 12 pet ownership statistics in Wyoming so you can see how much the state loves its animals and which animals, specifically, it loves.
Top 12 Pet Ownership Statistics In Wyoming
- 72% of Wyoming households have at least one pet.
- 36% of households own dogs.
- 30% of Wyoming households have at least one cat.
- Wyoming owners keep 1.7 dogs and 1.8 cats, on average.
- A new puppy costs an average of $900.
- Wyoming dog owners should expect to pay $27,000 over their dog’s life.
- It costs $1,600 a year, on average, to own a cat.
- Wyoming has the lowest average pet insurance rates.
- Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers are the most popular dog breeds.
- Border Collies are also popular in the state.
- The Savannah is the most popular cat breed.
- Jack and Charlie are the most popular pet names in Wyoming.
Pet Ownership Statistics
1. 72% of Wyoming households have at least one pet.
(Vet Street)
Wyoming is the country’s least populated state with just over half a million residents. There is only one city with a population of more than 50,000 people, Cheyenne, and it is known for being rugged and having a lot of difficult terrain as well as flats and valleys.
While Wyoming might be the country’s least populated state, it has the highest pet ownership ratio of any state in the US. Of the 230,000 households in Wyoming, 72%, or nearly three-quarters, of all households own at least one pet. This figure includes dogs and cats, which are the most popular species of companion pets, as well as other pets including indoor fish, pet fowl, and exotic pets like lizards.
2. 36% of households own dogs.
(World Population Review)
In all but a handful of states across the country, dogs are more popular than cats, both in terms of the total number of animals and the ratio of households that keep those pets. This is true in Wyoming, as well, where more than a third of households own at least one dog.
However, the 36% of households that own a dog puts Wyoming low on the list of dog-owning states. Idaho has the highest dog ownership figures with 58% of households owning at least one canine. In New Hampshire, just 24% of households have a dog.
3. 30% of Wyoming households have at least one cat.
(World Population Review)
There is a similar picture when it comes to cat ownership, too. 30% of Wyoming households own cats, compared to 44% in Vermont and Maine. Rhode Island has the lowest cat ownership figures and just 17% of households keep cats.
The figures suggest that a lot of pet owners in Wyoming keep pets other than cats or dogs, including horses as well as smaller pet animals, and also suggests that pet owners tend to keep a relatively small number of animals.
4. Wyoming owners keep 1.7 dogs and 1.8 cats, on average.
(World Population Review)
On average, dog owners in Wyoming have 1.7 dogs whereas cat owners keep 1.8 cats. The states with the highest number of dogs per dog owner are Mississippi and Montana with 2.1 dogs. Vermont, New Jersey, and South Dakota have 1.3 dogs per dog-owning household.
The 1.8 cats kept by cat owners compares to North Dakota, with a staggering 2.8 cats per cat household, and is a lot higher than the 1.3 cats kept by cat-owning households in Vermont.
The Costs
5. A new puppy costs an average of $900.
(Market Watch)
Many factors influence the cost of buying a puppy. Buying from a breeder is typically a lot more expensive than adopting a dog from a rescue or shelter, and some breeds naturally cost more than others because the breed is popular or very difficult to find.
Puppy costs in Wyoming, which include the cost of buying the puppy as well as vaccines, spaying or neutering, and some preventative medicines, are low compared to other states and the nation as a whole. New owners can expect to pay $900 for their dog.
6. Wyoming dog owners should expect to pay $27,000 over their dog’s life.
(Market Watch)
The initial costs of getting a dog only represent a small portion of the total cost over the lifetime of the dog. Dogs can live anywhere up to 16 or more years, and owners need to pay food, vet bills, insurance, and other costs throughout their lives. As such, Wyoming dog owners can expect to pay around $27,000 throughout the dog’s life. The biggest annual costs are pet insurance, pet food, and vet visits.
7. It costs $1,600 a year, on average, to own a cat.
(Pettable)
Cats are smaller but they can live longer than dogs, and some costs end up being around the same for cats as they do for dogs. The biggest expenses for cat owners are cat food and litter, pet insurance, and vet bills.
Wyoming owners pay approximately $1,600 per annum compared to Delaware, the most expensive state where owners pay $2,800 a year to keep their cat. Wyoming compares less favorably to Idaho, which is the cheapest state where owners pay approximately $1,200 per annum.
8. Wyoming has the lowest average pet insurance rates.
(Market Watch)
Pet insurance is designed to ensure that your pet can receive veterinary treatment for unexpected illnesses and injuries from accidents. Insurance policies vary, including the amount of coverage on offer and how comprehensive the treatment options are. Some insurance policies can cover alternative treatments like hydrotherapy and may even pay for prescription foods. While there is no legal requirement to have pet insurance, many owners enjoy the peace of mind it offers.
Wyoming has the lowest average pet insurance prices of all states, with a cost of $408 per annum. California has the highest insurance prices where owners pay $736 a year, on average.
Breeds And Names
9. Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers are the most popular dog breeds.
(Reader’s Digest)
The French Bulldog was named the most popular dog breed in the US in 2022, taking the top spot from the Labrador Retriever, which had been the most popular breed for more than 30 consecutive years. In 10 years, Frenchie registrations have increased more than 1,000%, taking it from the number 14 spot in 2012 to the top in 2022.
However, Wyoming’s list of the most popular breeds is a little different. The Frenchie is nowhere to be seen in the top three, likely because the small dog tends to be most popular in cities and states where space is at a premium. The top three most popular breeds for Wyoming owners are Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers.
10. Border Collies are also popular in the state.
(Vet Street)
Another breed that is very popular in Wyoming, although doesn’t feature in the American Kennel Club’s list of the top three most popular, is the Border Collie. Wyoming has a lot of open space, and working dogs like Collies tend to be popular in these areas.
The Collie is renowned for being able to cover mile after mile and still be ready for more running when they’ve finished. They’re also intelligent and easy to train, which makes them good companion pets, but owners do need to provide a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep Border Collies happy.
11. The Savannah is the most popular cat breed.
(Shane Co)
When it comes to cats, the Savannah is the most popular cat breed in the state. The Savannah has the look of a wild cat and is sleek, athletic, and agile. They are especially good at jumping and are capable of jumping up to 8 feet. They can climb trees, too, and owners need to be able to provide climbing trees or other similar features to ensure a healthy and happy Savannah.
12. Jack and Charlie are the most popular pet names in Wyoming.
(Mental Floss)
Choosing a pet name is very difficult. You need a name that is easy to remember for you and easy for your pet to understand. It shouldn’t sound like the name of anybody in the family or of another pet, and it shouldn’t be too similar to a command or word that you will use regularly with your pet. It also needs to be something you like. In Wyoming, the most popular dog name is Jack while the most popular cat name is Charlie.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Ownership In Wyoming
Do you need pet insurance if you have a pet?
Pet insurance is not a legal requirement in Wyoming, but pet owners are generally advised to take out some form of insurance. Treatment for some serious conditions can end up costing thousands of dollars. With insurance, while you may still have to pay a deductible and a share of the bill, it greatly reduces your liability in most instances.
Do dogs and cats need to be licensed?
Dogs and cats do not need to be licensed or registered, but it is recommended that every pet is microchipped. A microchip is placed under the skin so that if the dog or cat goes missing, the chip can be scanned and the pet reunited with its owner more quickly. The procedure is relatively painless, the chip is permanent, and the cost of microchipping is low.
How many households in the US have pets?
Two-thirds, or 66% of households in the US own pets. This includes cats and dogs as well as other pets like hamsters, rabbits, lizards, and snakes. This means that Wyoming’s 72% is higher than the national average.
What is the most popular pet in the US?
Dogs are the most popular pets, in terms of population and the number of people that own them. There are an estimated 77 million dogs and 58 million cats across the country. There are also 2.8 million pet birds and more than a million pet fish. (AVMA)
Conclusion
The US loves its pets and Americans are especially fond of dogs and cats, with these being the two most common species of companion pets. Wyoming has the highest ratio of pet-owning households with 72% of all households in the state owning at least one pet. Dogs are the most popular, followed by cats, with the most popular breeds being the Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever.
Featured Image Credit: Nata Bene, Shutterstock
