2025’s best cities for dog lovers

LawnStarter® compared the 500 largest U.S. cities across 37 key factors, including yard size, dog-friendly rentals, veterinary access, affordability and community support.

Dogs are part of the family, but not all cities make it easy to live like it. Some cities invest in green space, pet-friendly housing or dining and local amenities, while others leave dog owners chasing their tails.

“Working with city planners and developers to make spaces dog friendly, for example more grass, waste disposal stations with bags provided and water stations, is helpful,” says Dr. Steven Marks, dean of Clemson University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

That kind of thoughtful design makes life easier for pups and people alike. Because we’re thankful for our furry BFFs this month, LawnStarter ranked 2025’s Best Cities for Dog Lovers.

Top 10 Cities for Dog Lovers

1 - Frederick, Maryland

2 - Asheville, North Carolina

3 - Scottsdale, Arizona

4 - New York, New York

5 - Santa Fe, New Mexico

6 - Wilmington, North Carolina

7 - Orlando, Florida

8 - Santa Monica, California

9 - Raleigh, North Carolina

10 - Bend, Oregon

How did we rank the cities?

We compared the 500 largest U.S. cities across 37 key factors, including yard size, dog-friendly rentals, veterinary access, affordability and community support. Dig through our methodology to see the full breakdown and how we ranked the cities. 

Key insights:

• Best in show: 28 Southern cities landed in the top 50 for dog lovers, alongside small and midsize standouts like Frederick, Maryland (No. 1) and Asheville, North Carolina (No. 2). These cities shine with top-rated vets, plenty of dog sitters and active Meetup scenes, along with strong dog-friendly dining and shopping options.
• Paw & order: Three states earn top marks when it comes to regulating commercial breeders: New York, Illinois and Oregon. Each enforces strict rules for licensing, while New York’s Puppy Mill Pipeline Law bans the retail sale of dogs in pet stores and promotes shelter adoption.
• The big-city advantage: City life suits dogs just fine in major metros like New York (No. 4), Austin (No. 15), Los Angeles (No. 30) and Charlotte (No. 31). These big cities trade yard space for walkable streets, plentiful parks and strong access to pet amenities and emergency care. City walks double as social time, too. “Frequent walks and new environments help dogs socialize and adapt to city life,” Marks adds.

Check out the whole story and ranking here: https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/best-cities-dog-lovers/

Other helpful links:

• Key insights
• Methodology

Why is LawnStarter ranking the best cities for dog lovers? Because life with dogs happens outdoors. LawnStarter helps homeowners keep lawns safe, clean and ready to play, the foundation of every dog-friendly home.

Please email media@lawnstarter.com with any questions you have about our study or if you would like to interview one of our editors.