Austin Ranks Among Nation's Most Dog-Friendly Cities

AUSTIN, TX — Austin residents' love for their dogs can be seen across the city. They sit next to their owners at restaurant patios, they accompany masters to the hardward store, they hang out their tongues as they poke their head out of car windows with palpable enthusiasm.

Canines are, after all, valued members of the family. So it comes as no surprise that the capital city ranks among the top 11 dog-friendly cities in the nation. With International Dog Day approaching on Aug. 26, SmartAsset researchers crunched the numbers to find the best U.S. cities for dog owners and their four-legged friends to call home.

The reckoning yielded Austin tied with Minneapolis in the top cities list as the only Texas city making the top 24 count. The city scored highly on many metrics, ranking first and fifth, respectively, for its high numbers of dog-friendly shopping centers (28) and restaurants (495), allowing canine companionship in more of the places people frequent. Austin ranks 31st-highest in the study for concentration of pet stores and vet offices, at approximately 65 per 10,000 establishments. Moreover, it has 1.3 dog parks per 100,000 residents — ranking 37th-highest.

Affection for canine companions extends beyond a mere pat on the head or scratching of the belly. According to the report, Americans spent $95.7 billion on their pets in 2019, with almost $37 billion going toward pet food and treats alone. That figure may grow as many dog shelters nationwide recently reported an uptick in foster and adoption interest during the coronavirus lockdown, researchers found.

Learn more by reading the full Most Dog-Friendly Cities in America – 2020 Edition report.

Graphic courtesy of SmartAsset.