This North Carolina City Is One Of The Most Pet-Friendly In The Country

Considering for most folks their pet is a member of the family, it makes sense that some people take their four-legged friends into consideration when deciding where to live. Some cities in the U.S. are more pet-friendly than others, and a new report reveals which ones are the best for you and your fur babies.

WalletHub has just revealed their list of the Most Pet-Friendly Cities in the U.S. They looked at 100 of the largest cities across 23 key metrics in areas of budget, health and wellness, and outdoor pet friendliness. Topping the list as the Most Pet-Friendly City is Scottsdale, Arizona, which scores 63.48 out of 100, and is number one for pet health and wellness, and six for outdoor pet friendliness, although costs must be high because it lands at 74 in the budget category. San Francisco, California is tops for outdoor pet friendliness, while Raleigh, North Carolina tops the list for the budget.

Top Ten Pet-Friendly Cities

As someone who was born and raised in Raleigh, and who also became a dog owner in Raleigh, I would have to agree with this. Most places in Raleigh have outdoor seating, which is great for bringing your pup with you when you go places. I can't tell you how many bars or restaurants Finley has gone to in his life! There are also a lot of unique pet stores and greenways with access to water for them to swim in. That was always Finley's favorite!

As for the least pet-friendly city, Santa Ana, California earns the “honor,” with a score of just 38.85, coming in at 96 for budget, and pretty low on the list for health and wellness outdoor pet friendliness. Click here to see where the other cities fall on the list.

If you are looking to adopt a furry friend of your own, check out these places!

If you are in the Carolinas this week, you know it is a hot one. With temperatures in the high 90s and even 100s, keeping your furry best friend cool is essential.

With potentially record-breaking temperatures, keeping your dog cool in the summer heat should be a top priority of your mind. Extreme heat can be very bad and even deadly for your dog. According to the American Red Cross, heat stroke is a common problem for pets and can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage. Here are some helpful hacks to keep your dog cool in the North Carolina heat.

Make sure your furry family members have access to water all the time during high temperatures. Keeping your dog hydrated should be your number one priority. This is very important. Dogs should drink anywhere between 1/2 to 1 oz of fresh water per pound of body weight.

Never leave a dog in a hot car. Parked cars are typically much warmer inside than they are outside, so keep that in mind. Dogs can get a heat stroke, even if left in the car for even an hour if their body temperature rises.

You should check the temperature and humidity each day before taking your dog for an activity. When it's hot and humid, it's best to avoid any form of exercise with your dog on a day like this. Even on a cooler day, you should still check the pavement temperature before walking your dog. Asphalt can get extremely hot in direct sunlight.

When possible, stay away from the pavement. Depending on where you live, temperatures will typically be cooler early in the morning or late in the afternoon. If possible, walk your dog on the grass that is cooler.

Keeping your dog cool this hot Summer is a must. Some dogs enjoy lying in the water to cool down. Another great idea is to get your dog a little pool or bathtub. If you are playing with your dog at the beach, a pool, a lake, a stream, or whatever, make sure you bring fresh water.

Dog paws can get burned on long summer walks, especially if your pup is young. Avoid walking during the afternoon to protect its paws. Take your puppy for a walk early in the morning or late at night. You should not take your pet out at the height of the day on cement or asphalt, but rather on grass or other cool surfaces.