JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – Animals are valued parts of many households in Mississippi, but a recent report shows that the state’s pets may be among the unhealthiest nationally.

According to a recent analysis from Forbes , dogs in the state had the highest percentage of positive cases for both heartworm and hookworm. Canine respiratory illnesses, including dog flu, were the second most prevalent nationally in 2023 with a 10.6% rate of positive cases in Mississippi. The state also had the second-highest percentage of feline immunodeficiency virus cases and the sixth-highest percentage of feline leukemia virus cases among cats. These numbers greatly influenced Mississippi’s ranking as the eighth riskiest state for pet illnesses in the United States.

Below are statistics related to the prevalence of other common ailments among Mississippi’s dogs and cats.

Dogs

• Giardia
  • 3.5%
• Anaplasmosis
  • 0.5%
• Lyme Disease
  • 0.2%

Cats

• Giardia
  • 3.2%
• Roundworm
  • 7.0%
• Hookworm
  • 2.1%

The data compiled by Forbes indicates that people generally take care of their animals. About 88% of dog owners report taking their dog to the vet for a check-up at least once a year. Most owners ensure their dogs are up to date on shots, with 9.7% reporting their dogs are not, and 5.2% being unsure. However, nearly two-thirds (63%) of dog owners report not administering heartworm medication to their dogs monthly. Almost three-fifths (59.7%) report not administering flea/tick medication to their dogs every month.

Veterinarian care ranked as the second-most costly dog-related expense for dog owners in America. However, the experts at Forbes have a variety of tips on how to keep your furry friends healthy.

• Engage your pet’s mind and body
  • Regular exercise and teaching your pet new tricks can help maintain their mental and physical well-being. Both are significant in maintaining their overall health.
• Keep your pet safe and out of reach of hazardous materials
  • Secure trash, chemicals and toxins, create a safe space at home, regularly clean your dog’s belongings and keep harmful foods out of reach to prevent illness.
• Pay attention to seasonal changes
  • As weather shifts, so do the health risks your pet may face. For instance, limiting your pet’s outdoor time during frigid temperatures or heat waves can protect them from frostbite or dehydration. Additionally, being mindful of factors like contaminated water while hiking can prevent your pet from regional illnesses.
• Plan for unexpected trips to the vet
  • Even if you plan carefully and take precautions, accidents and illnesses often lead to big vet bills. Pet insurance helps cover these costs and might be cheaper than you think. Most pet insurers allow you to visit any licensed veterinarian without restrictions. It is important to compare and choose the pet insurance plan that best suits your pet’s needs and your budget.
• Visit your veterinarian annually for a check-up
  • Ensure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations and administer heartworm, flea and tick preventative medication every month to maintain your pet’s health .

Forbes Advisor analyzed all 50 states and Washington, D.C. across 11 dog-related diseases and eight cat-related diseases. It allotted 70% of the total rankings to dogs and 30% to cats, due to relative ownership of these pets nationwide. Each pet-related disease is weighted based on the prevalence of each disease/virus.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.