Dog Is Man’s Best Friend, But Your Phone Is a Close Second

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Dog Is Man’s Best Friend, But Your Phone Is a Close Second

There is no denying that technology has made our lives exponentially better, and that includes how we raise our canine and kitty kids. Animal quality-of-life advocates know this, and have come up with some of the most creative and useful apps to help you give your pet his best life. Just as important as providing a nutritious diet, a cozy bed, and a strong and sturdy leash, is the information you can access on behalf of your furry family member, right from your smartphone screen.

Do I really need a smartphone to be a good pet parent?

You don’t have to have a phone to raise your dog or cat. But it absolutely helps, and especially if you have a high-powered device. The right phone will have lightning-fast internet, fit your budget, and be easy to use. It will also have plenty of memory to download all of your favorite apps.  

Two of the most well-known and user-friendly devices are Apple’s iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy. The new iPhone 11 Pro boasts such features as an amazing 12MP triple-camera, 16 hours of active usage time, and an impressive screen size. All this means you can take as many pics of your dog as you want without straining your eyes, or getting the dreaded 0% battery indicator in the midst of filming Spot catch popcorn from across the room. The latest Samsung (the flagship S10) also has a triple camera and a speedy processor. The phone you choose should fit into your hands, be easy for you to use, and wedge comfortably into your budget, whether you purchase it outright or add it to your monthly bill.

Choosing a phone might not be easy, but deciding to download the following apps is.

Pet First Aid by The American Red Cross

The Red Cross does much to bolster health and safety for both people and pets. Its app, Pet First Aid, is your on-the-go source for information on how to handle minor pet-related emergencies. Download it, and also be sure to register for their 35-minute online pet first aid course if you want to be fully prepared.

Tractive

Tractive is the PAWfect app to accompany you on your nightly walk. Straight from your phone, you can take pics of your adventures and even share your excursions in real-time with your friends and family. If you’re really in the mood to share, you can live-stream your entire walk. Perhaps the biggest benefit of this walk-tracking app is that you can actually see your walk history, including duration, distance, and route. 

This app can even be an encouragement to get more exercise with your furry friend, which The Dogington Post encourages owners to do on a daily basis. Make notes along the way so that you can steer clear of any problem areas. (Seriously, if Dorothy had had this app, she and Toto could have avoided a ton of trouble with Miss Gulch!)

Scritch

Funny name, awesome application. Scritch is truly a comprehensive resource for pet owners everywhere. This app provides a little bit of everything - you can find pet-friendly businesses, dip into training advice, and even record what’s going on with your dog’s health. From its new pet guide to product reviews, and connection with your local pet parenting community, if you need it and it relates to a cat or dog, you can find it here. 

PupTox

Last but not least, download PupTox for accurate information on common household and environmental toxins. You can search their lists of food and nonfood items to determine what’s safe, and what should send you running straight to your veterinarian’s office. You can even call the ASPCA’s Poison Hotline directly from the app. 

With all the technology available today, there is nothing you can’t access. Whether you are raising your first pup or your fifth feline, the apps above will help you be a better pet parent. But remember, as valuable as access to information is, put the phone down from time to time. For your pet, there is no better treasure than time with his human family.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.


Best,
Penny Martin

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