Smartphones are ubiquitous now, nearly indispensable to our everyday lives. We use smartphone apps for shopping, traffic updates, sports scores, and so much more. Several apps are handy for pet owners and can help make protecting, playing with, and caring for our furry companions that much easier. Here are 12 recommendations.
For staying (safe and healthy)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Helpful knowledge about common household items that can be toxic to pets.
- Pet First Aid by American Red Cross — A great first line of defense in case your pet is injured or sick, this app lets you check symptoms and watch videos on everyday emergency situations.
For training
- iClicker — Clicker training is wonderful for positive reinforcement. This app will play distinctive sounds, like toy squeaks, when your dog (or cat!) does something you want him to continue doing.
- P5 Dog Training — This is an excellent app for teaching your dog basic obedience and fun tricks. It can even help to keep him in shape.
- Cat Training — Yes, cats can be trained, too! This app helps with cat manners, litter box training, scratching and clawing, jumping on tables, and more.
For selecting
- BarkBuddy — The app that “finds fluffy singles near you,” BarkBuddy connects you with dogs that need homes.
For playing
- Cat Fishing 2 — Press “start” and watch your cat try to “catch” the fish in the sea by tapping them with her paws. The more she catches, the more challenging the game becomes.
- Dog Park Finder Plus — Find the best dog parks in the U.S. based on user photos and reviews.
For exercising
- Walk for a Dog — Exercise and give back to the charity of your choice. This app tracks your distance and donates a certain amount to your favorite cause.
- MapMyDogWalk — Find the best dog walking routes around you (based on other users’ experiences) and add new routes that you find with your pup. You can also find dog parks, waste-bag dispensers, and more.
For traveling
- Bring Fido — Want your pup to be with you everywhere? Find dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, dog parks, activities, events, and more with this app.
- DogVacay — It’s like an Airbnb for dogs. If you’re heading on vacation and don’t want to board your pup, these sitters will come to your house, or you can choose to take your dog to their home.
Do you use any pet-related apps that didn’t make the list? Head on over to our Facebook to share them!