Portland ranks among top 5 most pet-friendly cities, new study says

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portlanders, put your paws up in celebration, because a new study has ranked the city as the fifth-most pet-friendly in the country.

WalletHub released its 2025 ranking, gathering data on 100 different major cities across the key factors of pet budget, health and wellness, as well as outdoor pet-friendliness.

Additionally, the study analyzed 23 other metrics, including vet care costs, pet-centered businesses, as well as animal shelters.

Ultimately, Scottsdale, Ariz. rose to the top, also ranking #1 for overall pet health and wellness, according to the study.

The least pet-friendly city is Honolulu, Hawaii, the study says.

Among other metrics, Portland tied with San Diego, Calif. Orlando, Fla. and Austin, Tex. for the most dog-friendly restaurants per capita.

Portlanders also love to let their canines run around freely and socialize with other pooches, because they also tied with New York, San Francisco, Boise, Idaho and Henderson, Nev. for most dog parks per capita.

WalletHub’s top 10 best/worst cities for pet-friendliness:

Best	Worst
1. Scottsdale, Ariz.	91. Chicago, Ill.
2. Tampa, Fla.	92. Detroit, Mich.
3. Cincinnati, Ohio	93. Chula Vista, Calif.
4. Las Vegas, Nev.	94. Durham, N.C.
5. Portland, Ore.	95. New York, N.Y.
6. St. Louis, Mo.	96. Fresno, Calif.
7. Orlando, Fla.	97. Milwaukee, Wis.
8. Birmingham, Ala.	98. Stockton, Calif.
9. Lexington-Fayette, Ky.	99. Boston, Mass.
10. Austin, Texas	100. Honolulu, Hawaii

“The most pet-friendly cities aren’t just those where it’s cheapest to own an animal and take care of its health, although cost is definitely a major consideration,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “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.”