Five Factors That Put Pets at Higher Risk
Pets bring joy to millions of families across the nation. As of 2024, nearly 60 million households had dogs and over 42 million had cats. And a few more million each are home to fish, reptiles, birds, hamsters, and even more types of pets.[1]
While every pet parent wants to create a safe, nurturing environment, there are some factors out of their control. We analyzed 50 of the biggest U.S. cities to find the most dangerous areas for pets based on these five factors related to geography:
- Likelihood of collision: Whether you're walking your dog or have an outdoor cat, some cities are more prone to traffic collisions. The percentage shown is compared to the national average.
- Number of dog bites or attacks: This data comes from the U.S. Postal Service and shows where there may be more aggressive dogs that could attack yours**.**
- Location quotient for veterinarians:
- Heartworm cases per reporting clinic: This data shows areas that may be more prone to heartworms, which is spread through mosquitoes.
- Reported heat-related deaths (by state): Hot temperatures can turn a quick trip to the store into a deadly experience for animals left in a vehicle. These are the number of deaths reported to PETA in 2025.
Find out if your city makes our top 10 list for most dangerous U.S. cities for pets.
The Importance of Pet Insurance
Finding the right pet insurance policy for your fur baby is an important part of keeping them safe. But the price of your annual premium varies significantly based on zip code.
There are a few different reasons for this. For starters, the number of insurance companies in the area affects prices; the more competition, the lower your price will likely be.
Environmental risks are also a major concern. If your area is prone to animal diseases or natural disasters, you could end up paying more.
Here are a few examples based on research by The Zebra (prices are based on the average of four carrier quotes):
- Los Angeles, California: $56.78
- Denver, Colorado: $51.88
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: $45.25
- Austin, Texas: $36.70
- Columbus, Ohio: $33.93
Overall, pet insurance is generally affordable, especially if your pet is young and healthy, and it may be a good investment to keep your smallest loved ones safe.
Methodology
The Zebra used five data points to analyze the top 50 MSAs by population related to pet welfare.