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Despite being one of the smallest states in the U.S., New Hampshire is one of the most pet-friendly, and one of the most responsible when it comes to pet ownership. A little over half of the households in New Hampshire own at least one pet. Join us as we explore this statistic and others about pet ownership in New Hampshire, so you can get an understanding of just how important pets are to New Hampshirites.
The 10 Pet Ownership Statistics in New Hampshire
- 51.8% of households in New Hampshire own a pet.
- 23.7% of households in New Hampshire own a dog, while 36.4% of households own a cat.
- New Hampshire ranks fifth regarding the total percentage of households that own cats (36.4%).
- All dogs in New Hampshire that are 4 months or older must be licensed in the town or city where they live.
- New Hampshire ranks number 8 of states with the most responsible dog owners.
- 94% of dog owners in New Hampshire take their dog to the veterinarian at least once a year.
- 96% of dogs in New Hampshire are up to date on their vaccinations.
- New Hampshire also ranks highly regarding the number of dog owners that walk their dog daily (79%) and schedule play dates with other dogs (32%).
- Almost 8,000 animals entered animal shelters in New Hampshire in 2023.
- 14 out of 14 shelters in New Hampshire are no-kill.
General New Hampshire Pet Ownership Statistics
1. 51.8% of households in New Hampshire own a pet.
(World Population Review)
Despite a little over half of the households in New Hampshire owning a pet, the state only ranks 39th for the percent of total households owning a pet. For comparison, Wyoming ranks first with 71.8% of households owning a pet, while Washington, DC ranks last with only 38.2% of households owning a pet.
2. 23.7% of households in New Hampshire own a dog, while 36.4% of households own a cat.
(Pawlicy Advisor)
These numbers are a little different than most of the other states, in which households that own a dog outnumber those that own a cat. It’s not clear why this is, but perhaps this is due to the colder temperatures in New Hampshire during the winter months, and the fact that cats are primarily inside pets and don’t need to go outside when it’s cold out. Other states in which the number of cat-owning households is more than the dog-owning households are Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, and Vermont, which also can get pretty cold in the winter.
3. New Hampshire ranks fifth regarding the total percentage of households that own cats (36.4%).
(Statista)
We mentioned earlier that cat-owning households outnumber dog-owning households in New Hampshire. Because of this, New Hampshire ranks fifth regarding the number of cat-owning households at 36.4%, and many of these households own more than one cat, so it’s clear that pet cats well outnumber pet dogs. Vermont ranks the highest, with 44.6% of households owning cats. Again, this is likely due to the colder winter temperatures in New Hampshire and the fact that cats can stay inside.
Responsible New Hampshire Pet Ownership Statistics
4. All dogs in New Hampshire that are 4 months or older must be licensed in the town or city where they live.
(City of Hanover, NH)
The law requires that all dogs 4 months or older be licensed, and owners must present a valid rabies certificate and a spay/neuter certificate. Part of the fee for licenses goes toward funding affordable spay/neuter programs for pets in the state. Cats are not required to be licensed by statewide law, but some towns or municipalities may require a license for cats as well.
5. New Hampshire ranks number 8 of states with the most responsible dog owners.
(Forbes Advisor)
Based on a survey taken by 10,000 dog owners, New Hampshire ranks in the top 10 for dog owners that are most responsible based on the percentage of dog owners that keep their dog up to date on vet care, exercise, and socialization. New Hampshire received a score of 78.7 out of 100. The state that came in at number one was Washington.
6. 94% of dog owners in New Hampshire take their dog to the veterinarian at least once a year.
(Forbes Advisor)
This metric is one reason New Hampshire ranked so highly in terms of responsible dog owners. 94% of dog owners taking their dog for a yearly checkup puts New Hampshire in fifth place regarding this metric.
7. 96% of dogs in New Hampshire are up to date on their vaccinations.
(Forbes Advisor)
This metric puts New Hampshire at an impressive number 2. New Hampshire has laws that require at least the rabies vaccination, even if pets stay indoors, but so do many other states, so it’s unclear why New Hampshire ranks so highly. Maybe it’s due to having a lower percentage of dog-owning households than other states, therefore the number of dog owners they do have appear to be more responsible than states with higher percentages of dog owners.
8. New Hampshire also ranks highly regarding the number of dog owners that walk their dog daily (79%) and schedule play dates with other dogs (32%).
(Forbes Advisor)
79% of dog owners in New Hampshire report walking their dog at least once daily, putting them at number three regarding this metric. 32% report scheduling play dates with other dogs, putting them at number four for this metric. This goes to show that dog owners in New Hampshire care about making sure their dogs get proper physical and mental stimulation to help keep them healthy.
New Hampshire Animal Shelter Statistics
9. Almost 8,000 animals entered animal shelters in New Hampshire in 2023.
(Best Friends)
Based on 2023 reports and predictive modeling based on previous years’ data, it is estimated that 7,996 animals entered animal shelters in New Hampshire in 2023. Of these, 7,471 were saved, meaning they left the animal shelter alive through adoption, being recovered by the original owner, being fostered, etc. Despite New Hampshire being a smaller state with fewer pets, that’s still an impressive feat.
10. 14 out of 14 shelters in New Hampshire are no-kill.
(Best Friends)
Along with Delaware, New Hampshire was one of the first no-kill states. This means that animal shelters in these two states do not euthanize healthy or treatable animals due to lack of space or because they’ve been at the shelter for too long. All 14 of New Hampshire’s animal shelters are no-kill, which has resulted in the state having a 93.4% save rate. This statistic further shows what pets mean to people that live in New Hampshire, but more states are joining the no-kill cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can you legally own in New Hampshire?
There is no statewide law regarding the number of dogs that can be kept as pets in New Hampshire. That being said, some towns or cities may have restrictions, and even if not, it is important to consider your finances and the ability to give your pets the quality of life that they deserve, and sometimes that means having fewer pets. (World Population Review)
Is pet insurance available in New Hampshire?
Yes, pet insurance is available in New Hampshire but it is not legally required for you to have pet insurance. However, you do have many options for policies that cover cats and dogs, and even some that cover exotic pets. (Pawlicy Advisor)
Can you own exotic pets in New Hampshire?
There are many exotic pets you can own in New Hampshire, some with or without a permit. But it is important to check your state and local laws if you’re interested in owning an exotic pet because there are many animals that are banned for keeping as pets. (Animal Legal & Historical Center)
Conclusion
Despite being one of the smaller states with a lower population, it’s clear from the above statistics that New Hampshirites love their pets. The state has some of the most responsible pet owners and all of their animal shelters are no-kill. Whether you live in New Hampshire or are just curious about the state’s feelings toward pets, we hope you found these statistics interesting.
Featured Image Credit: U Photo, Shutterstock
