Some Must-Have Mobile Apps for Pet Parents
There’s an app for everything and pet-related needs and topics are no different. Gone are the days when Google was the sole provider of dog and cat information for pet parents on the go. Apps keep convenient information and tools a finger swipe away – and for minimal cost. Pet parents can download everything from pet-friendly park locators to apps that enable live webcam streaming from your home computer!
Some Must-Have Apps for 2016
1. Pet First Aid by American Red Cross – You should always know where to take your pet in the case of an emergency, but some situations call for fast action. With this free app for iPhone, study up on pet first aid through interactive quizzes and videos, or consult step-by-step instructions for the most common pet emergencies when you need them most.
2. PupTox – For all the times you find yourself standing in the kitchen with a fistful of food scraps, wondering if any of them are safe to give to the set of pleading eyes staring up at you, PupTox is the solution. This 99-cent app offers an on-hand list of more than 250 things that are toxic to dogs and cats. Forget having to use Google all the time to see what your pet can’t ingest, this app keeps all the pet dangers neatly categorized and always available.
3. Pet Diary – Pet Diary allows you to keep track of all aspects of your pet’s life in one easy-to-use application. Keep track of Fido’s birthday and medications, or stay on top of Whiskers’ weight and overall attitude. Of course, you can also make note of fun adventures you share, new foods your pet tries, and more – for free!
4. Dog Park Finder Plus – If you’re often on the go with your pup and want to know where the nearest dog parks are in any locale, this is the app for you. Type in your zip and see thousands of dog parks and dog-friendly restaurants nationwide. The app even fills you in on whether or not there is a park fee, breed restrictions, and more. For $1.99 you get the complete “plus” version, or try the basic Dog Park Finder for free.
5. MapMyDogWalk – For the fit pet parents, this app is similar to MapMyRun. For no cost, you can keep track of how many calories you burn during your daily outing, the distance you cover, and even your speed and pace. MapMyDogWalk uses GPS to create an exact map of wherever your adventures take you.
6. BringFido – Another must-have for on the go pet parents, BringFido is the best (and most trusted) source for locating pet-friendly accommodations. The free app can also be used to find nearby dog parks, and pet-friendly trails, beaches, and more.
7. iCam – At $4.99 this app may be a splurge, but it’s a much cheaper alternative than purchasing a pet video conferencing gadget. This app allows you to remotely access your home computer’s webcam, gaining a sneak peek into what Spot does all day via video streaming. Simply download iCam to your computer at no cost and then purchase the accompanying app for your smartphone. You can even add cameras inside and outside of your home to create a true surveillance system!
8. Perfect Dog & Purrfect Cat Free Ultimate Breed Guides – Whether you simply want to expand your knowledge of dog and cat breeds or you want a handy reference for identifying unique pets you encounter, either of these free apps are excellent. Purrfect Cat introduces you to more than 90 popular and rare feline breeds, while Perfect Dog contains more than 3,000 images and information on more than 510 unique canines.
9. BarkBuddy – From the makers of Barkbox, this free app makes pet adoption as easy as online dating. Browse dozens of nearby pups in need of forever homes and share them with your online followers. The more you browse, the more the app learns what kind of dog you’re hoping to find – and the better your chances of finding true puppy love.
10. iClicker – Training just got easier with the free iClicker app! Minimize the amount of bulk in your pocket by downloading the iClicker app to use while training your cat or dog. Since it’s in your phone, you’ll almost always have it handy. This no-cost app comes with training tutorials and a supply of additional fun and distracting noises for your pet.