Reviewed by: Callie Morrison
What makes Birmingham one of the most pet-friendly cities in 2025?
Reading time: 3 minutes
Good news, Birmingham pet parents—our city just earned the No. 8 spot on WalletHub’s 2025 list of the most pet-friendly places in the U.S.
Read on for all the details, plus discover local recs perfect for enjoying with your furry pal.
Why pet-friendly cities matter
Having a pet can add up quickly, from vet and grooming bills to rental pet deposits. With pet expenses expected to reach $157 billion this year, pet owners are seeking cities where their four-legged friends can thrive without breaking the bank.
That’s why WalletHub ranked the 100 biggest U.S. cities to find the best places for pets—and their humans—to live their best lives without breaking the bank.
The study compared cities using 23 metrics across three key factors—pet budget, pet health and wellness and outdoor pet friendliness to calculate each city’s score.
Here’s how Birmingham stacked up:
- Overall Rank: 8th
- Dog Insurance Premium: 3rd
- Pet Businesses per Capita: 3rd
- Veterinarians per Capita: 11th
- Veterinary Care Costs: 30th
- Dog-Friendly Restaurants per Capita: 30th
- Animal Shelters per Capita: 43rd
What do these numbers mean? Birmingham is a place where pets can live happy, healthy lives.
Local recs: pet-friendly spots in Birmingham
To get the scoop on local pet hangouts, we turned to Bham Now’s own dog lover, Molly Reed, and her pup, Dottie.
Here are their top picks for tail-wagging fun around town:
Hangout: Cahaba Brewing Company
“It has a great open atmosphere with good food and good drinks. Dottie usually finds a friend there, too! She loves to people watch, so it’s the perfect spot.”
Molly Reed
Visit Cahaba Brewing Company: 4500 5th Ave S, Building C, Birmingham, AL 35222
Local pet shop: The Whole Dog Market
“Along with offering locally-sourced treats, chews and raw hides—some of Dottie’s favorites—the store has a self-wash station with all the products you need like shampoo and conditioner.”
Molly Reed
Visit The Whole Dog Market: 2937 18th St S, Homewood, AL 35209
Outdoor fun: Wald Park
“This is one of Dottie’s top picks for places to run off energy and play with other pups! It has a walking track, picnic areas and two separate dog parks, both fenced in. One is for smaller dogs, and the other is for larger, more social dogs.”
Molly Reed
More reasons you and your dog will love it:
- It features pet waste stations, a paw-washing station + a reusable water bowl for all pups to enjoy.
- There are lots of tennis balls + toys available for playtime.
Visit Wald Park: 1973 Merryvale Rd, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
Don’t forget to spay and neuter your pets! Contact Alabama Spay Neuter for everything you need to know and to schedule an appointment.
Do you think Birmingham is a pet-friendly city? Let us know by tagging us on social @bhamnow.
