Survey finds many US pet owners are skipping preventive care

A survey conducted by Banfield Pet Hospital of 5000 pet owners across the United States looked at state-by-state pet ownership trends. The survey, which was conducted in celebration of the hospital’s 70th anniversary, found that South Carolina pet owners were most likely to prioritize preventive care for their companion animals.

According to Banfield, survey participants from South Carolina claimed the top spot in never missing their pet’s flea and tick treatments (48%) and having a wellness plan. Additionally, 39% of South Carolina pet owners said they never miss their pet’s vaccine due dates, and 21% never miss their pet’s biannual checkups.1

What about the other states?

Arizona, Oklahoma, and Missouri lag behind in preventive care for their pets, specifically in flea and tick treatment, with 87% of Arizona pet owners being likely to miss this preventive measure.2,3 In Oklahoma, 75% of pet owners were likely to miss flea/tick preventive treatment, and 68% of pet owners in Missouri were likely to miss this preventive care. 

Despite these findings, Oklahoma and Arizona both ranked No. 5 in spending the most amount of time per day with their pet, with pet owners in both states spending an average of 12.2 hours (not including sleeping) with their pets.2,3 In Arizona, almost a quarter of survey participants said they spend 24 hours a day with their pet.2 Twenty-three percent of survey participants in Oklahoma said they bring their pet everywhere that is pet-friendly, and 16% have only taken vacations that could include their pet.3

Tennessee, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Minnesota are also skipping preventive care for their pets; these states, according to survey findings, are not brushing their pet’s teeth. In Minnesota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, nearly 9 in 10 (89%) of survey participants reported skipping brushing their pet’s teeth.4-6 Virginia trailed close behind, with 86% of pet owners forgoing brushing their pet’s teeth.7

Related: Many pet owners cannot afford veterinary care, survey finds

Additional findings from pet owners in Tennessee include the following4:

• Most likely in the nation to have more wellness apps on their phone for their pet than for themselves (13%).
• Twenty-six percent prioritize their pet’s physical wellness, with the same percentage saying their pet is at an ideal weight recommended by a veterinarian.

Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, findings include the following5:

• Survey participants ranked No. 3 among states where pet owners reported feeling happiest staying in with their dog or cat.
• Fifty-nine percent reported having traveled out of state with their pet.
• Sixty-two percent said their pet wants to be in the same room as them at all times.

Virginia followed closely behind Wisconsin in enjoying life at home with their pet, with the state ranking No. 4 in reporting feeling happiest when being at home with their animal companion. Participants from this state also reported the following7:

• Spending 24 hours a day with their pet (19%)
• Their pet wanting to be in the same room as them at all times (51%)
• Having only taken vacations that include their pet (16%)
• Having traveled out of state with their pet (63%)

References

1. A new survey reveals that South Carolina pet owners lead the pack in prioritizing their pet's health--ranking highest in US. News release. Banfield Pet Hospital. June 20, 2025. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-new-survey-reveals-that-south-carolina-pet-owners-lead-the-pack-in-prioritizing-their-pets-healthranking-highest-in-us-302485877.html
2. New survey reveals Arizona pet owners prioritize quality time and adventures with their pet--but majority are skipping crucial preventive care. News release. Banfield Pet Hospital. June 20, 2025. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-reveals-arizona-pet-owners-prioritize-quality-time-and-adventures-with-their-petbut-majority-are-skipping-crucial-preventive-care-302485874.html
3. New survey reveals Oklahoma pet owners prioritize quality time and adventures with their pet--but majority are skipping crucial preventive care. News release. Banfield Pet Hospital. June 20, 2025. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-reveals-oklahoma-pet-owners-prioritize-quality-time-and-adventures-with-their-petbut-majority-are-skipping-crucial-preventive-care-302485893.html
4. New survey reveals tech-savvy Tennessee pet owners monitor their pet's wellness digitally--ranking No. 1 in US--but majority are skipping an important preventive care habit at home. News release. Banfield Pet Hospital. June 20, 2025. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-reveals-tech-savvy-tennessee-pet-owners-monitor-their-pets-wellness-digitallyranking-no-1-in-usbut-majority-are-skipping-an-important-preventive-care-habit-at-home-302485881.html
5. New survey reveals Wisconsin pet owners prefer cozying up at home with their pets--but majority are skipping crucial at-home preventive care. News release. Banfield Pet Hospital. June 20, 2025. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-reveals-wisconsin-pet-owners-prefer-cozying-up-at-home-with-their-petsbut-majority-are-skipping-crucial-at-home-preventive-care-302485991.html
6. New survey reveals minnesota pet owners prefer cozying up at home with their pets--but majority are skipping crucial at-home preventive care. News release. Banfield Pet Hospital. June 20, 2025. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-reveals-minnesota-pet-owners-prefer-cozying-up-at-home-with-their-petsbut-majority-are-skipping-crucial-at-home-preventive-care-302485882.html
7. New survey reveals tech-savvy Virginia pet owners monitor their pet's wellness digitally--but majority are skipping an important preventive care habit. News release. Banfield Pet Hospital. June 20, 2025. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-reveals-tech-savvy-virginia-pet-owners-monitor-their-pets-wellness-digitallybut-majority-are-skipping-an-important-preventive-care-habit-302485879.html