Top Pet Spending Cities in America

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Whether you own a dog, cat, or something with scales, being a pet owner can be expensive. A March 2012 survey by the American Pet Products Association estimates that 72.9 million homes in the U.S. own a pet, and that Americans will spend more than $52 billion this year on pet food, vet care, and grooming, among other pet-related expenses.

Pet spending varies depending on the size and type of your furry friend. Here's what you can expect to spend on a medium size dog, according to the ASPCA:



Don't forget about the unexpected costs pet owners incur when their critters get sick. John Grogan, author of Marley and Me, says he paid $7,000 to a veterinary hospital to try to save his six-year-old Labrador, Gracie.

Some U.S. cities have a greater numbers of cat fanatics, dog devotees, lizard lovers and other domesticated family members than others. We looked at the top 100 cities in the U.S. for pet-related spending, and, according to our data (which is sourced from the U.S. government, anonymous and aggregated spending transactions from Citi, and third-party data providers), households in Scottsdale, Ariz. spend more on their pets than any other city in the U.S. — a median of $47.88 a month, nearly twice the U.S. monthly median of $23.96. In fact, four Arizona cities made it on our Top 10 list, making the Grand Canyon state the pet-friendliest in America.

Did your city make the cut? Take a look!