There’s an App for That: Top 6 iphone/ipad apps for pet people
We are an Apple family. Between the iphone, the ipad, and the Mac, I’m constantly on the lookout for the next great app. I love Angry Birds as much as the next guy, but given my background I’m also always hunting down good pet-related products. They’ve been a little slow to come out compared to other categories, but I’m finally starting to see some quality apps on iTunes that I deem worthy of the bucks.
For Back to School Week Wednesday, we’re going high tech: Here are my top 6 iphone apps for pets (because I just couldn’t narrow it down to 5!)
Kibble Katch
Based on the popular website Free Kibble, Kibble Katch is a game that directly translates into free kibble in real life. For every 250 pieces you ‘catch’ in the game, FreeKibble.com will donate a meal to a pet in need. $2.99.
Millie Was Here
A cute, interactive duo of e-books perfect for the dog loving kid in your life. My daughter read both from end to end on a recent plane trip, then read them to her little brother. The first book is free. The second book costs $3.99, but if you buy by August 18th (tomorrow!) they will donate $1 of that to the Petfinder foundation.
Petfinder
Speaking of Petfinder, let’s not forget that Petfinder.com itself has an award winning free iphone application. Its intuitive interface and eye catching design make it easy for you to find your new best friend no matter where you are. I found 3 Boston terriers in my area while I was at the carwash, but don’t tell my husband.
Petoxins
The ASPCA Poison Control Hotline is the resource for poison control questions in domestic animals. This helpful app includes plants known to be poisonous to dogs and cats, along with images of the plants and what symptoms they cause when ingested. This is a great tool for planning your garden or just when you’re out and about with your pet. $2.99
Pet First Aid
I wasn’t sold on this app when it first came out. I thought there were a lot of holes in the information and the disease list for each symptom was way too short. The good news is, Jive Media has released several updates to make the app more informative and added pet profiles for you to track your pet’s vaccine history, meds, and veterinary information. It still won’t replace the advice of a live vet-especially in an emergency situation, and it shouldn’t be considered an exhaustive resource, but the information that is there is pretty solid. $3.99
Petcentric
There are lots of pet-friendly locators out on the market, but Purina’s Petcentric is the most comprehensive I’ve found. From restaurants to hotels and veterinarians, it’s like yelp for pets. Unlike other apps, it automatically detects your location to find businesses nearby, so you don’t need to remember what zip code you’re in. And best of all, it’s free.
I know at least a couple of these are also available for other smartphones, so hopefully you can get your pet on no matter what phone you have. Anyone have any fantastic pet apps I missed? Leave them in the comments!
Disclosure: These are all apps I researched and purchased on my own. No donations or review apps!
