4 must-have apps for dog parents

As a dog parent, you love your canine family member more than anything. Your pooch already has a comfy bed and a toy basket filled with all sorts of goodies, but when you’re hanging out on the couch playing on your smartphone, why not include your dog? Take your bonding time to the next level by downloading some apps dedicated to your pooch.

Need some ideas? The following dog-related apps are must-haves for 2015:

Dog Park Finder Plus

Named as one of the best five apps for dog owners, Dog Park Finder Plus is a must have. It transforms your phone into a dog park-centric source of information with addresses, directions and amenities for over 6,600 dog parks and beaches as well as over 1,000 pooch-friendly rest stops. So, if you and Fido have a busy morning playing at the dog park and then running errands, you can use the app to find over 12,000 dog-friendly restaurants to have lunch at—at least one of which should be close to you.

petMD Symptom Checker

Dogs have a way of coming up with odd symptoms, usually at 2 in the morning when your vet’s office is closed. To help keep tabs on your beloved pet’s health, the free petMD Symptom Checker app can help to set your mind at ease. The app features a whopping 2,500 articles devoted to dog and cat health issues, all written by veterinarians. So, if you wake up in the middle of the night because you hear your four-legged friend, you can pull out your phone and look up articles and information that might explain what the problem is. Each article includes a detailed description of the health issue, the causes and symptoms and the recommended treatments.

Pet Minder Pro

As a dog owner, there can be a surprisingly large number of dates to keep track of, especially if you have a multi-pooch household. The Pet Minder Pro app is an easy pet reminder and tracking app. It alerts you about important dates and times related to your dog, using a color-coded system. For example, you can use the app to keep track of medication schedules, heartworm or flea treatments and vet appointments for shots or check-ups. You can even use the app to keep tabs on your puppy’s potty training schedule or to remind you to walk, feed and bathe your pooch.

Tagg

If your precious puppy has ever gotten out of your yard—even for a few short minutes—you know how gut wrenching it is to fear that your dog is lost. To avoid this problem, the Tagg Pet Tracker app helps you monitor your dog and easily locate your pup if need be. The lightweight Tagg tracker attaches to your dog’s collar, and the corresponding app can be used to find your pooch if he or she wanders off. The app also can track activity levels and alert you if your dog leaves a certain Tagg approved zone.