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The 10 Most Dangerous Cities for Pets

Los Angeles Tops Our List

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By Susan Meyer
Updated January 28, 2026
Reviewed By Beth Swanson
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Susan Meyer

Senior Editorial Manager

Susan is a licensed insurance agent and has worked as a writer and editor for over 10 years across a number of industries. She has worked at The Zebr…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
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Beth Swanson

Insurance Analyst

Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • Associate in Insurance (AINS)
  • Professional Risk Consultant (PRC)
  • Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
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  1. 10 most dangerous cities for pets
  2. The importance of pet insurance
  3. Methodology

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 10 Most Dangerous Cities for Pets

#1: Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles is known for its heavy traffic, so it's not surprising that it has one of the highest chances of collision in the country at 88.9% above the national average. The city has the most dog attacks on mail carriers and one of the lowest concentrations of veterinarians. On top of that, California also has a large number of heat-related deaths. The good news is that L.A. dogs have fewer cases of heartworms.

Los Angeles by the Numbers

  • Likelihood of collision: 88.9%
  • Number of dog bites or attacks: 77
  • Location quotient for veterinarians: 0.76
  • Heartworm cases per reporting clinic: 6 to 25
  • Reported heat-related deaths (by state): 31

#2: Houston, Texas

Houston's danger for pets is largely driven by the city's high rate of heartworm cases, which are over 100 for each reporting clinic. The Space City also comes in second place for frequency of dog attacks and has one of the smaller veterinarian location quotients. However, there weren't many heat-related animal deaths in 2025 (especially for the size of Texas and given its hot summers) and the likelihood of a car crash is only 36.1%

Houston by the Numbers

  • Likelihood of collision: 36.1%
  • Number of dog bites or attacks: 65
  • Location quotient for veterinarians: 0.78
  • Heartworm cases per reporting clinic: 100+
  • Reported heat-related deaths (by state): 2

#3: Dallas, Texas

Dallas is another city with a high frequency of mail carrier dog bites, totaling 43 cases in 2024. And if there are a lot of stray of poorly-fenced dogs after mail carriers, they might also attack your cat or dog. Finding medical care for your pet may also be tricky, with a below-average location quotient of just 0.77. Heartworm risk is moderate, with 51 to 99 cases per clinic. The chance of collision in Dallas is 41.4%.

Dallas by the Numbers

  • Likelihood of collision: 41.4%
  • Number of dog bites or attacks: 43
  • Location quotient for veterinarians: 0.77
  • Heartworm cases by reporting clinic: 51 to 99
  • Reported heat-related deaths (by state): 2

#4: Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is home to a heartworm-prone environment, with over 100 cases per reporting clinic. The city also has quite a high chance of collision at over 67%, which could mean a greater chance your animal is involved in one. One the plus side, the density of veterinarians is average at 0.96 and Georgia had just two reported heat-related deaths in 2024.

Atlanta by the Numbers

  • Likelihood of collision: 67.4%
  • Number of dog bites or attacks: Not available
  • Location quotient for veterinarians: 0.96
  • Heartworm cases per reporting clinic: 100+
  • Reported heat-related deaths (by state): 2

#5: Chicago, Illinois

The Windy City has a lot of loose biters to keep an eye out for when walking your own dog; in fact,Chicago is a nationwide leader in dog attacks on mail carriers, totaling 57 in one year. The likelihood of a collision isn't as bad as other areas, but heartworm is fairly prevalent with 51 to 99 cases reported by each clinic. Additionally, the location quotient for veterinarians is just 0.89.

Chicago by the Numbers

  • Likelihood of collision: 37.2%
  • Number of dog bites or attacks: 57
  • Location quotient for veterinarians: 0.89
  • Heartworm cases by reporting clinic: 51 to 99
  • Reported heat-related deaths (by state): 2

#6: Buffalo, New York

Where are all the veterinarians? Not in Buffalo!Buffalo has one of the lowest veterinarian location quotients on our list, at just 0.72. Additionally, New York has the highest number of heat-related animal deaths, which reached 36 in 2024. On the plus side, heartworm cases are fairly moderate (6 to 25 cases reported per clinic) and the likelihood of a collision is just 36.4%.

Buffalo by the Numbers

  • Likelihood of collision: 36.4%
  • Number of dog bites or attacks: Not available
  • Location quotient for veterinarians: 0.72
  • Heartworm cases per reporting clinic: 6 to 25
  • Reported heat-related deaths (by state): 36

#7: New York, New York

New York City has a low density of veterinarians at just 0.6 — that's the second smallest on our list. Collision likelihood is moderate at 32%, as is the number of reported heartworm cases. However, just like Buffalo, New York City's ranking is hurt by the state's high number of heat-related animal deaths. Remember New Yorkers (and all people): never leave an animal unintended in a hot vehicle.

New York City by the Numbers

  • Likelihood of collision: 32%
  • Number of dog bites or attacks: Not available
  • Location quotient for veterinarians: 0.6
  • Heartworm cases per reporting clinic: 6 to 25
  • Reported heat-related deaths (by state): 36

#8: St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is another city with aggressive dogs who dislike the mailman — nearly 50 attacks were recorded in 2024. The city's collision likelihood is also relatively high at 48.8%. Heartworm cases are on the higher end at 51 to 99. But if you have to take your dog to the vet, it should be easy to get an appointment thanks to a 1.27 location quotient.

St. Louis by the Numbers

  • Likelihood of collision: 48.8%
  • Number of dog bites or attacks: 47
  • Location quotient for veterinarians: 1.27
  • Heartworm cases by reporting clinic: 51 to 99
  • Reported heat-related deaths (by state): 7

#9: New Orleans, Louisiana

Remember to give your New Orleans pets their heartworm medication, since the city has over 100 cases per reporting clinic. There's also a somewhat high likelihood of car accidents at nearly 42%. The density of veterinarians in the city is also below average, but thankfully, there were no heat-related deaths reported in 2024.

New Orleans by the Numbers

  • Likelihood of collision: 41.9%
  • Number of dog bites or attacks: Not available
  • Location quotient for veterinarians: 0.83
  • Heartworm cases per reporting clinic: 100+
  • Reported heat-related deaths (by state): 0

#10: Cincinnati, Ohio

Keep an eye out for loose dogs in Cincinnati which had over 40 mail carrier attacks in 2024, the fifth highest in the country. Heartworm cases in the city are above average, and Ohio saw two heat-related pet deaths. On a positive note, the density of vets is above average, and the chances of an auto accident are just over 37%.

Cincinnati by the Numbers

  • Likelihood of collision: 37.3%
  • Number of dog bites or attacks: 44
  • Location quotient for veterinarians: 1.02
  • Heartworm cases by reporting clinic: 51 to 99
  • Reported heat-related deaths (by state): 2
Most Dangerous U.S. Cities for Pets

Source: The Zebra

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. 

  • Likelihood of collision[2]
  • Number of dog bites or attacks[3]
  • Location quotient for veterinarians[4]
  • Heartworm cases per reporting clinic[5]
  • Heat-related deaths[6]
Sources

  1. U.S. pet ownership statistics. [American Veterinary Medical Association]

  2. 2025 America's Best Drivers. [Allstate]

  3. U.S. Postal Service Releases Dog Bite National Rankings. [U.S. Postal Service]

  4. Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, 29-1131 Veterinarians [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]

  5. Heartworm Incidence Maps. [American Heartworm Society]

  6. Companion Animals Are Dying in Hot Weather—These Are the Reported Cases. [PETA]