Firm Management
Apps We Love – October 2019: Pets
We all love our furry friends – so are there apps that can help us take care of our pets and share our lives with our pets? You bet! Here are some apps that are destined to be your next best friend.
Oct. 17, 2019
![animals-2198994_960_720[1]](https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/35308/animals_2198994_960_720_1_.5d9cfefabdc9e.png)
We all love our furry friends – so are there apps that can help us take care of our pets and share our lives with our pets? You bet! Here are some apps that are destined to be your next best friend.
Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? The Puppr app helps you, the person, teach your dog a variety of tricks and skills with step-by-step examples and a built-in clicker you can use for reinforcement. There are basic tricks like sit, stay, down, and then there are silly tricks, circus tricks, agility tricks, and useful tricks like teaching your dog to fetch a leash or ring a bell to go outside. Some of the more advanced tricks are locked behind a paywall, but most of the app can be accessed for free.
Pups aren’t the only animals that can be trained. The Cat Training Tips app provides practical tips for training your cat to come when called, accept medications, and get comfortable with a cat carrier.
If you’ve ever worried about the things your pet is eating, you’ll want to download the APCC (Animal Poison Control Center) app from the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). The app helps with medical problems for dogs, cats, birds, and horses. From there you can look up foods, plants, medications, outdoor hazards and household hazards which your animal may have consumed. You can find out the toxicity level and recommended treatment for ingestion. The list is not exhaustive, but there’s quite a bit of useful information here.
The American Red Cross also provides an app called Pet First Aid which provides veterinary advice for dogs and cats including steps to take in the event of emergencies. And for those who like to be proactive, there is an early warning sign checker for preventative care. There are even instructions and videos on how to perform CPR in the event your pet is not breathing.
I use Strava to track my dog’s walks. There are other GPS walking apps specifically created for animals (such as Dog Walk), but I was using Strava for my own exercising anyway, so I just set up an account for my dog. I can track the exact route of the walks we take, upload pictures from the walk, and add comments. I can share Strava with my dog-walking friends so we can see each other’s progress.
Another app I recommend is Next Door – again, not a pet-specific app, but if there is a Next Door app active in your neighborhood, you can post information about lost or found pets and get alerts on your phone. The neighborhood where I live is very engaged with the app, especially if there is a pet that has wandered off.
Working pet parents can arrange for dog walkers to step in when they are away from home with the Wag app. Wag dog walkers are bonded, and GPS tracking lets you see where your dog is at all times. The most recent rates I’ve seen are $20 for a 30-minute walk and $30 for a 60-minute walk. You can also sign up for boarding, pet sitting, and daycare through Wag. Wag operates in all 50 states, but not necessarily in every locale.
There are apps that show you where to find dog parks and dog-friendly trails and rest stops. Paw Parks is user-generated, so if your nearby park isn’t on the app, you can add it.
Finally, the BringFido app is a must-have when traveling with your pets – find pet friendly hotels including information on deposit amounts for renting a hotel room with your pet. The app also provides information on pet-friendly restaurants, dog parks, and other attractions.