Pets. Sometimes they can be a huge headache, and a mess to clean up after. We love them anyway because they’re also there for us in ways that humans just simply cannot be. Whether you love felines or man’s best friend, your smartphone can be more than just that glowing thing that distracts you from giving your pet attention, and great for keeping your companion healthy, happy, and entertained.
Fido Pet Adoptions (Free, iOS/Android)
This is an extensive and easy to use app for finding pets to adopt around the country. Many cities have their own individual apps for Humane Societies, but there are tons of other organizations and individuals trying to find homes for pets. I found this app easy to search, and to filter results for the exact breed, age, and sex of pet you are looking for.
PetCentric Places (Free, iOS/Android)
Saves you the hassle of typing in your 5-digit zip code, and uses GPS to find the closest pet-centric locations near you. I love this app, by Purina, because it’s all encompassing; find pet-friendly parks and beaches, veterinary offices, lodging, and grooming services from an easy to use layout. I found a few dog parks close by that I had never even noticed before.
Puppy Coach 101 ($2.99 iOS)
A few basic puppy-training tips, like the sit command and preventing nips/bites. Helpful videos are included to make the trainings easy to follow. Costs much less than pricey puppy obedience classes, and worth the download if it means a better-behaved pup!
Pet First Aid ($3.99 iOS/$2.99 Android)
There’s so much good information in this app, it’s really quite extensive. There’s basic information on what is considered normal for dogs and cats (heart rate, temperature, etc.) but it also provides a wealth of other information on medical care. It’s basically WebMD for dogs and cats.
Om Nom? Can my dog eat it? OMG my dog ate it! ($0.99, iOS)
Do you like to feed your dog scraps? Is your dog a vacuum cleaner for any food left out? If so, you may want to download this app ASAP. It contains a list of dozens of foods that are poisonous for dogs to consume. Moreover, it provides toxic amounts, depending on dog size and amount consumed, for the food to be harmful to your pup. Love this app, especially the name.
Cat Fishing 2 (Free, iOS/Android)
This app, created by Friskies, is the most interactive of the bunch. Available on Android and iOS, with full integration on the iPad as well (it’s much more fun on a larger display). Virtual fish flit across the screen, and disappear into the depths of the virtual pond after they’re touched (pounced on). I was skeptical to see if my cats would show any interest in this, as they are more of dancing-string fanatics, but they were equally confused and entertained by this virtual fishpond. I would strongly recommend a screen protector with this one!