For all areas of your life these days… there’s an app for that! Our phones are full of helpful mobile apps that help us manage our finances, entertainment, social life, and more.
So, what about apps that help us to be better pet owners? While you may have your own systems for managing your pet’s care, there may be an app out there that can take one thing out of your brain space and put it into your phone.
Training
Puppr
This free app gives you a way to train your puppy or dog at home for free. It includes guided training videos with step-by-step instructions and demos, live chats with trainers, and progress monitoring. You can even set up reminders so the app will notify you about potty and training schedules.
GoodPup
If you want to take a more custom approach to at-home training, consider this personalized training app that comes with a cost of $29/month. You’ll work one-on-one with a certified trainer in weekly 30-minute sessions and you’ll have 24/7 access to live chat with their trainers. The program covers everything from potty and crate training to basic commands and tips for avoiding bad behaviors. There’s even a free one-week trial so you can see if it’s the right fit before committing.
Health
Pet First Aid
This app from the American Red Cross is a must-have for pet owners who like to be prepared. It provides step-by-step instructions for dealing with various health issues, early warning signs of emergency conditions, pet CPR guidance, and a directory of the closest veterinarians to you.
11Pets
This free app provides a very handy way for pet owners to keep track of all of their pet’s medical info wherever they go. You can enter info about their vaccines, vet check-up schedule, medical history, and medications. You can also upload documents and track your pet’s weight. One great thing about this app is that multiple people can have access to the same account so that everyone in your family can view and update the info. If you leave your pet with someone else when you go out of town, you may want to have them download the app too just in case.
AirVet
If you’ve ever been unsure if you need to bring your vet into the vet, it may be worth considering AirVet. For either a monthly rate of $30 or a flat fee of $30 per call, you can have a virtual appointment with a licensed veterinarian 24/7. Of course, they may tell you that your pet’s symptoms warrant a visit to an in-person vet, but they may be able to reassure you that it’s not an emergency.
Pet Monitor VIGI
Do you want to be able to keep an eye on your pet when you’re not at home but don’t want to shell out for a special piece of equipment? For $4.99/month, you can use the existing camera on your computer, an old smartphone, or a tablet to monitor your pet via video when you’re out. It even allows for two-way communication so your pet can hear your voice and vice versa. This can be very helpful for pets who have separation anxiety or new kittens or puppies you just want to check in on.
Fun
Cat Fishing 2
Provide your kitty with some mental stimulation and hunting practice with this fun app that displays tempting fish swimming across the screen. Set your phone or tablet down in front of your cat and watch them go nuts trying to catch the fish. On second thought, maybe it’s best to use an old phone or tablet for this one!
BarkHappy
This handy app allows loving dog owners to quickly and easily search for dog-friendly businesses in their area (stores, restaurants, hotels, etc). You can also create a profile for your dog to connect with other dog owners nearby, find out about events for dog owners or find out about lost dogs around you.
