Are Dogs Better Off in Some States?

BY | May 28 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY

iStock_000003421285XSmallThe 2013 state of pet health report

was just released by Banfield Pet Hospital, containing statistics on the health and well being of the roughly 2.2 million dogs that came in to Banfield hospitals around the country.

What Does The Average American Dog Look Like?

The most common breeds recorded by Banfield are the Labrador Retriever, followed by the Chihuahua and Shih Tzu. Pet parents should beware of the most common illnesses:

dental tartar

,

ear infection

, and

obesity

. These illnesses are all preventable with proper care. On the bright side, they are also all treatable.

Where It's Good To Be a Dog

Getting down to the nitty-gritty of our national dog health, itโ€™s good to be a dog retiring in Montana or South Dakota where the average lifespan is the highest in the country, at 12.4 years.ย  Not far behind at 11.4 years are Oregon, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Fleas and Ticks and Parasites, Oh My!

It may not come as a surprise that the southern states reported much higher incident rates for fleas and ticks but more shocking is that there was still more than a 5% chance of

flea or tick infestation

as far north as New Hampshire. Meanwhile the colder states in the north reported much higher incidences of

arthritis

.A dog in Arkansas has a lot to worry about when it comes to

ringworm

. In 450 cases out of 10,000 tracked, dogs were suffering from ringworm. There were only 27 cases per 10,000 in Arizona. Louisiana has the highest reported incidence rate for

heartworm

but the lowest rate of

obesity

in dogs.

What You Should Know About Dog Health

The major takeaways of the report are that our dogs are getting healthier thanks to the care and concern of pet parents like you. But there is still room for improvement by monitoring your petโ€™s weight, providing the right supplements and treats to ensure their best health, and ensuring that your dog is armed with the

right protection from fleas, ticks, and parasites

.

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