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Peter Corso

25 Best Apps for Pet Owners

Updated: Oct 29

Best apps for pet owners to download

Phones and pets go hand-in-hand in the lives of pet parents. You may be taking a selfie with your pet for memory’s sake or a video of your pet to become a viral sensation. Or, after learning about these amazing apps for pet parents, you may be scheduling a vet appointment, learning how to teach a new trick, or booking a getaway with your pet. Be the best pet owner you can be and choose your favorite pet apps to download from this list!


Best Apps for Pet Ownership

This section reviews the best apps for pet owners to streamline pet care tasks and improve the ability to track pet wellness effortlessly! These pet care apps help pet owners store their pet's health records online and organize important information like vet and pet grooming appointments. In today's digital age, managing your pet's health online makes it easier to keep track of all your pet care services and maintain a single profile for the entirety of your pet's life. Whether you're a dog owner, cat lover, or multi-pet household, these apps are designed to help you provide the best care possible for your pets.


Best Apps for Pet Ownership

The PetDesk Mobile app is a popular, free app for tracking veterinary appointments, medication schedules, grooming needs, and more. Create a profile for your pet and store your pet’s medical history in the app to easily stay on top of everything your pet needs. Get started in just a few minutes and enjoy the many features including vaccine reminders, to-do lists, and task management for booking pet care services.

PetDesk requires you to schedule in-person appointments with pet care providers. PetDesk has a vast network of providers and it also has a loyalty program that awards you points for every dollar spent at a provider’s location!

PetDesk has a 4.9-star rating with over 350,000 ratings on iOS and a 4.7-star rating with over 27,000 ratings on Android, making it one of the more trusted apps on the market. 




Pawp is a pet health app where users can receive 24/7 virtual vet care and instant access to licensed veterinarians for emergency consultations, general health questions, and guidance on pet care. It’s designed to offer immediate veterinary advice and emergency coverage without the need for an in-person vet visit. For $99/year, you have unlimited access to support, treatments, advice, and more, so that you can confidently give your pet the quality care they deserve. 

Pawp offers an emergency fund of up to $3,000 for one vet bill per year for an unexpected, life-threatening medical situation. The emergency fund costs an extra $24/month and is reimbursed if your pet's situation qualifies. Considering it would take 10 years of paying for this service to add up to $3,000, it’s a sweet deal for added peace of mind as a pet owner. 

Pawp has a 4.8-star rating with over 5,000 ratings on iOS and a 4.8-star rating with over 2,000 reviews on Android. Pawp is an excellent tool for pet owners who want routine care and emergency support, and it continues to grow its brand as a premier telehealth service for pets.




The Pet First Aid app by the American Red Cross gives guidance to pet owners in emergency situations. This app does not give access to live veterinary care, but it has a wide range of resources for immediate use. In the app, dog and cat owners can access clear, step-by-step guides and instructional videos on how to respond to various pet emergencies, like injuries, poisoning, burns, choking, seizures, bleeding, and more. 

As a bonus, this app has information on how to spot early warning signs of common health problems in pets, such as dehydration, heatstroke, or allergic reactions. 

In the event of an emergency that you cannot resolve alone, use this app’s emergency vet locator. It allows you to quickly find the nearest veterinary hospitals or clinics if your pet needs immediate professional care.

The Pet First Aid: American Red Cross app has a 4.2-star rating with under 100 reviews on iOS and a 4.6-star rating with over 1,000 reviews on Android, proving to be a handy tool that users can rely on in case of an emergency.




Vetster gives pet owners 24/7 access to licensed veterinarians through video chat appointments. Similar to other telehealth apps for pets, you can keep your pet’s medical history stored in a detailed online profile. Vetster is a convenient way to make sure you never forget about your pet’s utmost needs.

Vetster users can choose to pay per appointment for as low as $50 or upgrade to Vetster Plus for $11.49/month. With the pay-per-appointment option, pet owners can compare vet prices and make affordable decisions on behalf of their pets. Vetster Plus includes unlimited live chats with veterinary professionals, 4 video appointments every year, and coverage for as many pets as needed. Either way, Vester offers access to thousands of veterinarians, secured video calls, and prescriptions through VetsterRx, where you can order online or pick them up from your local pharmacy.

Vetster has a website and an app, so you can get the help you and your pet need in your preferred way. Vetster has a reputable 4.4-star rating with over 1,000 ratings on iOS and a 4.6-star rating with over 400 reviews on Android. It is rapidly becoming a trusted platform for pet owners and pet care service providers in all 50 US states.




My Pet - The Pet Record Maker

The My Pet app is one of the most underappreciated apps available for pet owners, breeders, and pet care providers. My Pet’s list of features feels never-ending in the best way possible! Pet owners can record every piece of information available about their pet, like vaccinations, treatments, clinic visits, diagnostic exams, contact records, notes, reminders and notifications, past expenses, body measurements, and more. 

Other noteworthy features are My Pet's physical exam checklist and a connection with The Pet Rescue for lost and found classifieds. The app includes a handful of miscellaneous tools for dog and cat owners, like an ideal weight calculator, pet food calculator, pain meter, age calculator, and lifespan calculator for dogs and cats.

The My Pet app goes above and beyond by incorporating a vet finder with over 8,500 records, a trainer finder with over 11,300 records, a dog park finder with over 1,000 records, and a fun pet names catalog with over 3,000 name recommendations.  

My Pet is completely free to use on iOS devices and offers extra features for only $4.99/year. The app is only available for iPhone users and has a 4.2-star rating with over 100 ratings on iOS.



Best Apps for Pet Training

With your phone in one hand and pet treats in the other, you can put yourself in the shoes of a top-notch trainer yourself! This section reviews a variety of dog training apps with features ranging from video tutorials, self-help guides, and video calls with certified dog trainers. Despite being geared towards dog owners, users report success with training cats as well. These apps keep your bond with your pet as a main priority, equipping you with the tools you need to teach your puppy good habits and fun tricks successfully. No more late-night obedience classes or shelling out thousands of dollars for a private trainer. So, take a look and decide which one suits your needs!


apps for dog training

Puppr is a dog training app with step-by-step instructions for over 100 different tricks and commands. The lessons focus on positive reinforcement techniques and range in difficulty. In the app, users will be introduced to a built-in clicker with instructions on how to use it effectively while teaching your dog. Clicker training for dogs is a method that uses a sound to signal when they’ve performed a desired behavior.

Lessons are grouped into categories like New Dog, Basics, Silly, Charming, Useful, Agility, and even Swimming! Users will find helpful tutorials for teaching their dogs basic commands like sit, stay, down, and leave it, as well as tips for grooming, nail trimming, and brushing your pet's teeth at home.

Puppr’s free version has over 30 tutorials, which is more than enough for most people. Puppr’s premium version unlocks dozens more tutorials of fancier tricks and commands. The premium version also provides a live chat feature for users to talk to cannie training experts and receive personalized advice. Puppr Premium costs $12.99/month or $99.99/year, which is a fraction of the cost of training classes and personal trainers. 

Puppr has a 4.8-star rating with over 25,000 ratings on iOS and a 4.6-star rating with over 4,000 ratings on Android. Combined, Puppr has over a half million downloads, so you can be confident that it works if you're able to commit the time and energy to training your dog.




GoodPup is a dog training app that offers personalized, one-on-one training sessions with professional trainers via video calls. The app is designed to help pet owners teach their dogs essential obedience skills, resolve behavioral issues, and strengthen the bond between owner and dog. While GoodPup does include a library of training materials, its primary use for dog owners is to connect with reputable trainers for professional assistance. The app supplies fun illustrated guides to practice with your pup each day, and you can message your trainer whenever you need help.

The GoodPup app provides users with a progress tracker as well. Users can record their progress alongside their designated trainer, streamlining training sessions to achieve the best results in the least amount of time needed.

GoodPup is free to download but the actual service costs $29/week, which includes weekly sessions with a trainer, an in-app messenger for unlimited 24/7 communication, and a completely customizable training plan for you to achieve with your dog.

While the cost of GoodPup’s services has mixed reviews, the subscription is comparable to the price of an in-person class or a personal trainer. Plus, users enjoy the convenience of flexible scheduling, real-time feedback, personalized assistance, and remote capabilities to allow for training anytime and anywhere.

GoodPup has a 4.8-star rating with over 10,000 ratings on iOS and a 4.6-star rating with over 100,000 downloads on Android, proving its worth for all dog owners! In fact, its reputation has grown so strong that it spurred Rover's acquisition of GoodPup as a subsidiary in recent years. 




Are you looking for a dog training app that offers free training guides and consistent contact with available trainers? Dogo combines the best qualities of Puppr and GoodPup at a reasonable price. The app is simple to use and walks through each step of the training process. You'll experience Dogo's emphasis on positive reinforcement as you navigate from page to page, with cute messages directed at you as you set up your dog's training courses and profile. It makes you want to get started immediately and dedicate yourself to your dog's well-being!

Similar to Puppr, one of Dogo's standout features is its built-in clicker (and whistle!). Just like Puppr, these tools are used as positive triggers and are recommended by professional dog trainers around the world. 

Dogo has a unique feature where users can submit videos of their dog completing tasks or performing tricks and certified trainers will review the footage and provide personalized feedback. This feedback helps dog owners fine-tune their training approach and ensures they are using effective methods.

To unlock all of Dogo's fantastic features, consider a Dogo Premium subscription. The plans are $9.99/week, $29.99/month, or $49.99 for 3 months. Your subscription will give you access to over 50 training courses, feedback from certified trainers, health reminders and trackers, and more!

Dogo has a 4.8-star rating with over 13,000 ratings on iOS and a 4.6-star rating with over 120,000 reviews on Android, accounting for well over 10 million downloads. Dogo is a trusted app that every pet owner should consider, no matter what age or stage their dog is at in life. 




As Woofz puts it, "If your dog had a smartphone, Woofz would be the first app they'd download." Woofz is a dog training app similar to the others, however, it starts with a detailed survey about your dog’s breed, health, and current behavior so that you can get a jump start on the training your dog needs. Like other dog training apps, Woofz only recommends positive reinforcement strategies and proven non-cruelty training methods. The Woofz app includes several unique features that are worthy of mentioning. Firstly, Woofz has fun training games designed to keep dogs mentally stimulated and engaged. These activities not only reinforce commands but also provide enrichment for your dog, helping to burn off energy in a productive way. Woofz also uses interactive audio cues to guide pet owners through training exercises. These cues provide real-time instructions while you're training your dog to keep the process enjoyable and focused

Woofz offers 4 different payment plans: $9.99/week, $29.99 for 3 months, $39.99 for 6 months, or $59.99/year. The app has a 4.6-star rating with over 19,000 ratings on iOS and a 4.5-star rating with over 27,000 ratings on Android.




The GoDog app has a little bit of everything. It is a wonderful all-inclusive app designed to help you train your dog, track its progress, and manage its health and routines. In the app, you will find an extensive set of lessons with step-by-step video instructions, all of which are verified by professional canine experts. There is also an easy-to-use health diary, a built-in clicker and whistle, a walking schedule, lots of useful articles, and other features that help your dog stay healthy and happy!

One of GoDog's most fascinating features is augmented reality, allowing users to watch training lessons with real-life movement. This helps you understand the motions and mechanics better as you go through the lesson.

Download GoDog for free and choose between the weekly subscription for $4.99/week or the annual subscription for $39.99/year. GoDog has a 4.6-star rating with over 700 ratings on iOS and a 4.5-star rating with over 3,000 ratings on Android.




Best Apps for Pet Socialization and Pet Travel

Leave behind the days of leaving your dog behind! This section reviews apps designed for pet owners who share the on-the-go spirit of their pets. All kinds of companies have become increasingly accommodating towards pets. Pet-friendly restaurants are more common and host inclusive dining experiences for pets. Hotels and lodgings offer more dog-friendly rooms than ever before. Uber offers an Uber Pet option for pet-friendly rides and the airline industry is changing as well; for example, a new airline called Bark Ai emerged in 2024 to offer pet-friendly flights between New York, Los Angeles, London, and Paris. With all of that said, use these apps to find an adventure to share with your pet!



Never second-guess if your pet is welcome again! With the BringFido app, you can find dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, activities, and other services when traveling or exploring new places. It’s a go-to resource when you're on the go and want to include your dog in travel plans or daily outings. The app's main feature is its detailed listings of dog-friendly hotels, motels, vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, and other lodging options. Listings include pet policies (such as pet fees and weight limits), user reviews, and the ability to book directly through the app. The app also features information on airline pet policies so you can plan trips with your dog without worrying about logistics.

BringFido also helps users find restaurants and cafes where dogs are welcome. Many restaurants listed include outdoor seating areas that allow pets, and some even offer special dog menus or amenities. 

In addition to dining options, the app features dog-friendly parks, beaches, hiking trails, and even dog events like festivals and playdates.

BringFido includes a directory of pet services, such as pet-friendly attractions, dog sitters, veterinarians, pet stores, and doggy daycare centers. Whether you're traveling or at home, the app helps locate services nearby. 

The BringFido app is free to use on your phone or computer. It has a 4.9-star rating with over 38,000 ratings on iOS and a 4.9-star rating with over 2,000 reviews on Android, making it the most widely used app of its kind. You can be sure to find everything you want and need for the next adventure you go on with your pup.




find a dog-friendly hotel

The DogPack app is a multipurpose social platform for dogs and their owners. It is creating a tight-knit community of dog lovers and is most known for mapping out dog-friendly places like parks and beaches. Local businesses, such as boarding kennels, groomers, and dog sitters, are also featured on DogPack's map.

A key feature of DogPack's map is the ability to track your walks! It's never been easier to log and track your walks with your dog. You and your dog can hit new milestones of distance, speed, and health to ensure you're making your bond and your bodies stronger.

Go the extra mile and use DogPack to organize or attend dog-related events nearby. Common outings are group walks, park meetups, and even doggy parties.

DogPack looks out for dog owners in an extra special way with their lost dog database. If your pup goes missing, you can quickly make a post for your dog and report the day your dog went missing, where it was last seen, pictures and details about your dog, and the best way to contact you. Not many apps have this type of service, so it's a great app to have handy for this specific situation only.

DogPack also has a points system that you can redeem as raffle entries and discounts for various prizes and merchandise! The more you use DogPack to check in to featured locations in the app, the more digital treats you earn. 

Not only does DogPack promote healthy pet socialization in person but the app lets users post pictures and reviews, and other users can like and comment on posts to engage with their local dog community online. 

DogPack has a 4.8-star rating with over 400 reviews on iOS and a 4.7-star rating with over 1,400 reviews on Android, so take advantage of its growing audience and become an avid user of DogPack today!




Sniffspot is a one-of-a-kind app that allows dog owners to rent safe and secure outdoor spaces for their dogs to play, exercise, and explore off-leash. These spaces are privately owned and range from people's yards to fields to wooded areas. On the app, users can search for spots based on location and use filters such as fully fenced, hiking trails, property size, and access to water (like dog-friendly pools and lakes) for dogs that love to swim. 

Sniffspot includes reviews and ratings from previous guests so you can assess the quality and safety of a spot before booking. Sniffspot is especially useful for dogs that may not do well at dog parks, dogs with anxiety or behavioral issues, and dogs that need more room outdoors than what your living situation offers.

Users report a satisfactory experience using Sniffspot. Dog owners who live in apartments or homes with small yards can give their dogs extra space to run around and play in. Dog owners who want to enjoy a day by the pool can find homes with pools and patios for a relaxing day with their furry companions. Dog owners who enjoy hiking can find large, fenced-in properties with multiple acres to cover. There is truly something for everyone and every dog!

Spaces are rented out by the hour and cost $10-$30 per hour on average. Listings come with well-thought-out instructions about accessing the property and using the space and amenities properly. Bookings and payments can be done on your computer or your phone. Sniffspot has an impressive 4.9-star rating with over 12,000 ratings on iOS and a 4.7-star rating with over 2,000 ratings on Android. 




Best Apps for Pet-Sitting and Dog Walking

For long, pet owners relied on boarding kennels, pet daycares, and willing neighbors to watch their pets while they were away. Things have certainly changed. Nowadays, pet owners can schedule private pet sitters and dog walkers for future dates, last-minute needs, and routine appointments. This section reviews apps designed to connect pet owners with verified pet sitters and caretakers. These apps have grown in popularity and are a must-have for all pet owners.


dog walkers and pet sitters

Rover has become a household name in the pet community. Rover broke through as a leading way to find pet sitters, although the app has expanded the services made available through its user-friendly app, including dog walkers, and local pet groomers.

An appealing feature of Rover is the ability to choose your pet care provider. You can browse profiles of sitters in your area, read reviews, and select someone to take care of your dog, cat, or other pet while you're away on vacation or for a long day in the office.

A beloved feature of Rover is The Rover Guarantee! Every booking made on Rover is backed by Rover's own insurance, the Rover Guarantee, which includes coverage up to $25,000 in vet care for eligible claims.

While there is no cost to download and use the Rover app, you will pay for the services you book through the platform. Sitters and walkers set their own rates, which can range based on experience, location, and your pet's needs. For example, dog walking might range from $15 to $30 per walk, while overnight pet sitting could range from $30-$80+ per night. Keep in mind, Rover charges service fees on top of the rates paid to the sitters or walkers.

Rover maintains an incredible 4.9-star reputation with over 450,000 ratings on iOS and a 4.7-star rating with over 36,000 reviews on Android, guaranteeing you the best chance for a positive experience finding a perfect fit for your dog's needs.




If you are looking for an alternative to Rover, then download the Wag app. In the beginning, Wag built its brand by connecting dog owners with readily available walkers for on-call dog walks. Wag has followed through with its promise to be a safe and reliable service with its well-known GPS-tracked walks and background-checked workers. 

Since then, Wag has expanded to many of the same services available through Rover, like overnight boarding, scheduled drop-ins, dog sitting, and pet training.




Wag! vs. Rover

As a pet owner, there is no right answer, and many pet owners report checking both apps to find the best option for their pet's needs. Rover lets pet owners and caretakers chat directly and arrange meet-and-greets before payment. Wag matches pet owners with someone to service their requests. Some users enjoy this part of the process being done for them, while other users prefer Rover for comparing costs and communicating directly with the caretaker.

Wag certainly has its advantages, though. The app seems to be better for finding dog walkers and finding help quicker than Rover. For a thorough comparison, you can read this comprehensive Wag! vs. Rover review.



PetBacker is another app connecting pet owners with local pet sitters, dog walkers, groomers, drop-in visits, doggy daycare options, pet trainers, and even pet transportation ("pet taxi") services. The app is free to download, but pet owners pay for individual services based on the caregiver’s rates. PetBacker has an easy four-step process: submit your request, compare cost estimates, meet your preferred helper, and complete your booking!

According to their website, "only 30% of applicants make the cut to be a sitter on PetBacker." This assures pet owners of high-quality service.

For extra peace of mind, PetBacker's Premium Protection Coverage is included with every booking, free of charge. Make sure to read and understand the terms and conditions of eligibility, ineligibility, deductibles, and coverage limits.




Best Apps for Pet Monitoring

Can't stand being away from your pet? Can't blame you! Whether you're at work, out for the night, or simply making sure your pet isn't getting into any trouble around the house, there are useful apps available to help you keep an eye on your pet.  This section discusses the best pet monitoring apps out there. These apps are particularly helpful for younger pets who may have tendencies to escape or chew on furniture, senior pets with health concerns that need close monitoring, and pets with separation anxiety.


Apps to monitor your pet

Never miss a cute (or mischievous) moment with your pet! Barkio is a pet monitoring app designed to help dog owners keep an eye on their pets when they are away, although it is perfectly useful for cat owners as well. Barkio connects multiple devices to create a reliable monitoring system for pet owners to check on their pets, from anywhere! You heard that right, as long as your devices have a Wi-Fi connection or cellular data, you can check in on your pet anytime with unlimited range. 

Simply download Barkio on the devices you'll be using and enjoy its many features! Barkio's motion detection notifies you of your pet's movement. Set up a device at home in the kitchen and make sure your pet isn't sneaking into the trash! With Barkio's two-way video and two-way audio capabilities, you'll be able to catch the culprit before your pet leaves a mess for you to come home to. Plus, if your pet is experiencing separation anxiety (or if you are!), talk to your pet and be soothed as you feel like you're right there with your pet.

Users can also enjoy background mode on Barkio to receive notifications of their pet's behavior while still being able to focus on their work or workout, for example. Barkio will notify you if it detects any unusual sounds, such as barking, whining, or scratching. Background mode is optimized to use minimal data and battery, ensuring that pet owners can monitor their pets for extended periods without draining their devices' batteries.

Barkio's free version offers unlimited audio monitoring, customer support, and the talk-to-your-dog feature. Barkio Premium adds multiple features like unlimited HD video monitoring, motion detection, recorded sounds and videos, and connection to up to four devices to monitor your pet. Barkio Premium plans cost $3.99/week, $5.99/month, or $39.99/year. 

Barkio has a 4.7-star rating with over 1,200 ratings on iOS and a 4.3-star rating with over 4,000 ratings, and well over 100,000 downloads, making it one of the more recognized pet monitoring apps. 




The Dog Monitor app is essentially a mirror image of Barkio. In fact, it was created by the same developer, TappyTaps s.r.o. Dog Monitor turns your devices into a pet monitor for remote supervision, offering audio and video monitoring, two-way communication, noise and activity alerts, unlimited range, video recording, and an activity log.

The app costs $6.99 to download, but once you create your account, you can use the app on all of your devices as long as they are on the same operating system (iOS or Android). It has a 4.7-star rating with over 2,500 ratings on iOS and a 4.1-star rating with over 1,400 ratings on Android. 




Pet Monitor VIGI is also an app at allows users to set up their own devices as pet monitors for the home. The Pet Monitor VIGI app combines many features for a wonderful experience. It provides live video streaming, motion and sound alerts, and two-way audio and video chat, allowing you to talk to and see your pet.

Enjoying a late night out? A unique feature of Pet Monitor VIGI is its remotely controllable night light, which offers your pet a calming light to peacefully wait for you to come home.

The app is secure, reliable, and easy to use, and it supports smartwatch notifications and picture-in-picture mode for added convenience. With live video streaming, you can watch and talk to your pet no matter where you are.

Pet Monitor VIGI requires a one-time purchase of $4.99 with no ongoing subscriptions. This pricing structure makes it a competitive alternative to Barkio. Pet Monitor VIGI has a 4.8-star rating with over 2,100 ratings on iOS and a 3.9-star rating with over 50 ratings on Android. 




Best Apps for Pet Tracking

Whether you want to monitor your pet’s daily exercise, keep an eye on their whereabouts with GPS, or track their health milestones, this section reviews apps that provide easy solutions for staying connected to your pet’s well-being. From ensuring your dog is getting enough exercise to providing peace of mind with real-time location tracking, these apps are designed to make pet care more convenient and efficient for every pet owner.


GPS Tracker for cats and dogs

The Whistle app works with its own Whistle GPS trackers and health monitors. Pet owners can track their pet's location in real-time and monitor their pet's health and activities, such as walking, running, sleeping, and even behaviors like scratching and licking. It’s primarily used for dogs but can be used for other pets as well, namely cats.

Users can set activity goals based on their pet’s breed, age, weight, and veterinarian recommendations.  This in-depth scope of knowledge lets pet owners spot any changes that might indicate health issues like allergies, lethargy, and anxiety.

You can also set up multiple safe zones for your pets with the Whistle app's geofencing capabilities. So whether your pet is at home, at a dog sitter's residence, or with you at a park, you can make sure your pet always has Whistle's extra set of eyes on it. If your pet goes missing, Whistle has a "Lost Pet Mode" that provides quick updates on your pet’s location and sends more frequent location pings to help you locate them as quickly as possible.

Depending on what you need, Whistle offers three smart devices: Whistle Health 2.0 Smart Device ($69), Whistle Go Explore 2.0 Smart Tracker ($129), and Whistle Switch with collar ($149). Once you receive your device, you will need to set up a paid subscription to connect the device to the service that collects your pet's data. Their plans are either $3.33/month or $8.25/month, equating to $40/year or $99/year. Compare Whistle devices to decide which is right.

Overall, Whistle is a handy tool for tracking your pet’s health and activity data into easy-to-read reports. The data can be shared with your vet to help with diagnosing potential health issues or adjusting care routines. Whistle has a 4.6-star rating with over 12,000 reviews on iOS and a 4.4-star rating with over 4,000 reviews on Android.




If you are looking for a more affordable option than Whistle, then Tractive GPS is an app to consider. Tractive GPS offers most of the same features, like real-time location and activity levels, but does not include details about your pet's scratching and licking tendencies. Tractive advertises live tracking updates every 2-3 seconds and unlimited range, which are amazing achievements for a device weighing only 1.2 oz. 

Tractive also provides your pet's location history for up to 365 days, which is useful for understanding a pet's favorite spots or identifying any unusual behavior. One user described their dog spending a lot of time in a certain area of her yard, so she investigated the area and found out her dog had been digging a hole near the fence. Tractive helped alert her of this so she could find ways to prevent her dog from digging and potentially escaping under her fence. 

Similar to Whistle, Tractive GPS also helps pet owners establish virtual geofences. However, a notable difference between Tractive and Whistle is the battery life. Tractive devices are made to last up to 10-30 days, while Whistle devices may last 15-60+ days, depending on which device you choose. 

Tractive offers one GPS tracker for dogs and one GPS tracker for cats. Each device costs $49.99, although they often have discounts and promotional codes for savings. Tractive also requires a paid subscription to use the in-app features. The Basic subscription is $6/month for 2 years, $9/month for 1 year, or $15/month billed monthly. The Premium subscription is $5/month for 5 years, $7/month for 2 years, or $10/month billed annually.

Tractive GPS for pets has a 4.7-star rating with over 28,000 reviews on iOS and a 4.6-star rating with over 97,000 reviews on Android. Its pricing and reliability make it a competitive contender as the best pet GPS app available.




The FitBark GPS Pet Tracker promotes itself as the world's smallest pet tracker with the most advanced technology. FitBark is an excellent tool for tracking your pet, monitoring your pet’s health, keeping track of their activity levels, and ensuring they meet exercise goals. The addition of GPS tracking with the FitBark GPS device makes it particularly useful for owners with dogs prone to wandering or escaping.

FitBark offers two different devices. The FitBark GPS 2nd Gen. is the better of the two, both in price and functionality. The device weighs 16 grams, monitors a pet's health, and can connect to multiple satellites and cell towers for reliable GPS tracking no matter where you are. The FitBark 2 only weighs 10 grams and can monitor your pet's health and activity, but does not have GPS tracking. The FitBark GPS 2nd Gen. costs $49.95 compared to the FitBark 2's price tag of $69.95, making the FitBark GPS 2nd Gen. a win-win for pet owners. However, the catch is that the FitBark GPS 2nd Gen. requires a monthly subscription but the FitBark 2 does not. You can choose between 4 plans: $5.95/month for 3 years, $6.95/month for 2 years, $7.95/month for 1 year, or $9.95/month with no commitment. 

FitBark has easy-to-understand graphs and data to make prioritizing your pet's well-being an easy task. The app even features a social media-esque platform for posting pictures of your pets, wth the ability to comment on or like other posts from pet owners. FitBark has a genuine passion for empowering pet owners and it shows.

The app has a 4.5-star rating with over 600 reviews on iOS and a 3.5-star rating with over 1,000 reviews on Android. 




Best Apps for Pet Exercise and Temperament

A healthy pet is a happy pet. This section talks about apps that promote exercise and calm behaviors to keep your pet enriched. Oftentimes, pets act out or misbehave because they are bored and have too much energy. Toys and treats can be easy fixes but may be short-lived. Mental and physical stimulation are key components of good health and longevity, and these apps give creative inspiration for ongoing attention to your pet's emotional and physical health.



WoofTrax is a unique app designed to help dog owners stay active while supporting animal shelters and rescues. The WoofTrax app uses your phone’s GPS to record the distance and time of your walks, encouraging you to walk your dog and earn donations to your preferred shelters and rescues. You can add multiple dogs to your profile and track walks for all of them, switching between pets or tracking them simultaneously on your walks.

WoofTrax often holds walking challenges where you can compete for prizes or earn additional donations for your chosen shelter or rescue by participating. The app also includes a leaderboard where users can see how their walking efforts compare to other users in their community or nationwide. It also has social sharing features, allowing users to share their walking achievements with friends or on social media, further motivating people to stay active.

Believe it or not, there are no hidden fees or in-app purchases, so you can begin generating donations for animal shelters right away! WoofTrax has a 3.5-star rating with over 500 reviews on iOS and a 3.2-star rating with over 3,000 reviews on Android. Users report experiencing problems with the app, but WoofTrax is an amazing concept that is working on fixing possible bugs within the app.




Relax My Dog is an app that provides soothing music and sounds to help reduce your dog's anxiety, loneliness, stress, boredom, and hyperactivity. The app provides audio and visual content created to relax dogs in various situations, like during travel, when left alone, or during loud events like fireworks and thunderstorms.

Users can select specific types of music based on their dog’s preferences. For added convenience, the app allows users to download music and videos for offline use. This is helpful when you're flying with your pet or want to conserve battery life on your device. 

The concept is straightforward and luckily you can use the app on multiple devices by logging in with your username and password. You can enjoy a 14-day free trial to decide if your dog enjoys the music and videos. After that, you can choose between a monthly subscription for $4.99/month or a yearly subscription for $41.99/year. 

Relax My Dog has a 3.1-star rating with under 100 ratings on iOS and a 3.4-star rating with over 200 reviews on Android. Users report mixed reviews based on the app's functionality. As an alternative, many users suggest a better experience on Relax My Dog's YouTube channel (which is free!).



    

Zoundz sound therapy is created specifically for dogs and cats based on scientific research. Zoundz's library has been scientifically developed to match the hearing capabilities of these animals. Consistently using Zoundz therapeutic programs can help calm anxious pets and promote a meditative state.


Cat listens to Zoundz for pets

Four publications inspired Zoundz music creators to produce the available music on the app. Findings in the Physiology & Behavior, Volume 143, May 2015 issue indicate dogs display more relaxed behavior when exposed to classical music and habituate to the calming effects of music as early as the second day of exposure. In Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 166, May 2015, researchers explored the topics of species-appropriate music as it relates to humans and cats. The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2020, Volume 22 suggests cat-specific music may decrease their stress levels, which would be useful for shelters and veterinary clinics to increase their quality of care by playing cat-specific music. Results in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Volume 7, Issue 5 suggest classical music in a shelter environment could help reduce inherent stress for kenneled dogs.

Zoundz aims to collaborate with as many shelters and rescues out there through the Zoundz Harmony Project. Their efforts provide the full Zoundz music library to shelters and rescues for free. 

You can start with a 14-day free trial, then choose between a monthly subscription for $12.99/month or an annual subscription for $69.99/year. Zoundz has a 4.5-star rating with under 100 ratings on iOS and a 3.7-star rating with under 100 ratings on Android. The app came out on October 24, 2023, so it is still in its early stages of growth!




Choosing the best app for my pet

There is not an app that fits every need of a pet owner, so you will have to decide which apps to download. Think about your pet's interests, your budget, and speak to your vet about ways to improve and monitor your pet's health. Simplify the clutter of apps on your phone by creating an app folder on your home screen dedicated for the pet apps you use. Hopefully, you have a better understanding of the types of apps that are available and how you can use them to empower yourself as a pet parent and encourage your pet to be happy and healthy. Just remember, your pet is more valuable than your phone, so use the apps in a way that will create new ways to love your pet each and every day!

     

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