10 handy pet apps for pet parents
By: Cecily KelloggOver two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone and use it in their regular lifestyle. Review the top ten pet apps and find out what they can do for you!
According to a recent Pew survey, over two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone, and todayâs digital designers continue to develop new apps to suit almost every need and lifestyle. Letâs take a look at 10 of the top pet apps and what they can do for you and your furry friends.Â
MapMyDogWalk
Cost: Free
Most of us are familiar with those exercise aps that tell us how far weâve jogged, how high weâve hiked, and how many calories weâve burned in the process. This handy app lets you map your dogâs daily walk to make sure your pooch is getting a healthy amount of outdoor exercise. MapMyDogWalk is available for iOS and Android.
Wag!
Cost: Free
No time to walk your pooch? Wag will help you find and contract with a local dog-walker in your area. You can choose a walker based on their profile, schedule a time for them to walk your dog, and pay via the app. All dog walkers go through a long application process, including a background check, so you know your dog is in good hands. You receive an activity report after every session including the distance & time of the walk and a bathroom report. Wag! is available for iOS.
iKibble
Cost: Free
Weâve all seen the nutritional information on the food we buy. iKibble helps you rate and compare the foods you feed your dog for ingredients and nutritional content. You have one of those curious pooches that likes to eat whateverâs on the ground? You can even check if itâs bad for them, and whether you need to contact a vet. iKibble is available for iOSand Android.
Pet First Aid (by the American Red Cross)
Cost: 99¢
If youâre like most pet owners, the health of your animals is extremely important. But even the most well cared-for pets can occasionally experience a health emergency. This handy app from the American Red Cross lets you locate local vets (ideal if youâre away from home), offers tips on pet first aid you can perform yourself, and helps you discern normal pet behavior from possible trouble signs. Pet First Aid is available for iOSand Android.
BringFido
Cost: Free
Planning a trip and need to locate dog-friendly hotels along the way? BringFido lets you locate pet-friendly hotels and compare accommodations by pet policy, pet deposit fee, and more. You can even find nearby pet-friendly restaurants so your pup can join you for supper. BringFido is available for iOS.
DogVacay
Cost: Free
Going away and canât take your pup along? This handy app lets you locate a pet sitter and even allows them to send you daily updates for your peace of mind. DogVacay is available for iOS and Android.
iCam
Price: VariousÂ
Many of us have seen how tech can help us monitor our kids and their caregiversâwhether weâre out for a meal or just in the other room. iCam offers a similar service to let us check in on our pets. Maybe you have to be away from your dog or cat for extended periods, or you just want to check in on them remotely to be sure theyâre not wrecking the house. Either way, iCam lets you view your pet in real timeâand even includes motion-detection and sound-detection options. iCam is available for iOSand Android.
DoggyDatez
Cost: Free
Social media isnât just for people. DoggyDatez is a place-based social app that lets you connect with other pet owners in your area. You can find out whoâs at the dog park, schedule a pet playdate, and even choose âfriendsâ for your dog based on breed, gender, and size. DoggyDatez is available for iOS and Android.
Cat Fishing 2
Cost: Free
More fish might mean a happier cat. Designed for cats (it is from FriskiesÂŽ after all), this game will hold your catâs interest for as long as their attention span lasts. Your feline friend can tap your tabletâs screen to âcatchâ the fish and gain points. If your cat still has front claws we might suggest a screen protector, though your screen should be perfectly safe (unlikely those pesky fish)! Cat Fishing 2 is available for iOSand Android.
Figo Pet Cloud
Cost: Free (for pet insurance customers)
The Figo Pet Cloud allows you to keep the whole life of their pet in one place. You can upload and store your petâs vet records, find local pet-friendly businesses, get reminders for upcoming shots and vet appointments, submit claims with the snap of a photo, online profile if your pet ever gets lost and more! The Figo Pet Cloud is only available to Figo customers, but it will be available for free to everyone in 2017. It is available on iOS and Android.
Cecily Kellogg is a pet lover who definitely has crazy cat lady leanings. Her pets are all shelter rescues, including the dog, who is scared of the cats. She spent eight years working as a Veterinary Technician before becoming a writer. Today she writes all over the web, including here at Figo.