When it comes to pet health, geographic location can significantly influence the risk of various illnesses. Forbes Advisor conducted an analysis considering rates of disease in both dogs and cats across all states in the United States, highlighting regions with the lowest risk of pet illnesses. This investigation provides valuable insights if you’re looking to understand how your environment might impact your pets’ health.
List of US states with lowest risk of pet illnesses
According to Forbes Advisor, the five states with the lowest health risk to your pet are as follows:
- Nevada: Nevada is at the forefront when it comes to the safety of pets from illnesses. With remarkably low rates of parasitic diseases, Nevada has the best score of 0.00 out of 100. The state offers a significantly safer environment for both dogs and cats against common parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms.
- Utah: With minimal occurrences of hookworms and heartworms in dogs, Utah is second on the list having a score of 0.43. It particularly stands out for having one of the lowest detection rates of the feline leukemia virus (FeLV), making it a conducive state for feline health as well.
- North Dakota: This state has a low incidence of diseases such as ehrlichiosis and whipworm in dogs, along with a rare presence of giardia in cats. North Dakota’s favorable score of 8.62 reflects its relatively safe environment for pets, especially from tick-borne and intestinal parasites.
- Hawaii: With a score of 14.47, this state is exceptional for recording no cases of rabies in cats for several years, alongside low percentages of heartworms and roundworms in dogs. Its unique geographical isolation may contribute to these lower risks for certain pet illnesses.
- Idaho: Ranking fifth, Idaho has notably low or non-existent cases of several pet illnesses. With no recorded feline heartworm cases and low detection rates of diseases like ehrlichiosis in dogs, Idaho represents a comparatively safer state for pets regarding a variety of common health concerns. It scored 20.20 out of 100.
While pet parents everywhere should maintain vigilant health practices — including regular veterinary check-ups and preventive care — those living in or moving to these states can take some comfort in the relatively lower risk levels their pets face concerning certain illnesses.
