Skip to main content

Ranked: These pet apps actually work (and pet parents love them)

Do you agree with this ranking of best pet apps?

There’s an app for that may be a phrase that’s turned trite and overused but, well, no matter what you’re looking for, there probably is an app for that. Now, whether there’s a good app for that is another story.

We’ve all been there. Whether you’re looking for a pet app, one to help you design the interior of your home, or just a game of solitaire to play, you can’t seem to find one with decent reviews or that works the way you want it to. Luckily the team at RentCafe, a nationwide apartment search website, combed through Android and iOS apps to find the best of the best (after all, we all know how tough being a pet parent who lives in an apartment can be).

RentCafe

The best pet apps for pet parents

How did RentCafe draw its conclusions? First, they eliminated any apps that weren’t on both Android and iOS (sure, you probably only use one, but most good apps cater to both kinds of phone users). Then, they eliminated any that weren’t designed for pet parents, but were actually meant for veterinarians.

Recommended Videos

After that, all of the apps were ranked based on a 100-point system, giving weight to different aspects of the apps’ features and design:

  • iOS rating: 20 points
  • Android rating: 20 points
  • Easy navigation & clean design: 10 points
  • iOS number of reviews: 10 points
  • Android number of reviews: 10 points
  • iOS price: 10 points
  • Android price: 10 points
  • Available on iOS & Android: 5 points
  • Number of downloads: 5 points

The results? The top ten pet apps and their respective scores follow:

  1. Chewy: 100 points
  2. Rover: 98 points
  3. Puppr: 91 points
  4. Dogo: 90 points
  5. BringFido: 89 points
  6. Tractive: 87 points
  7. Good Pup: 82 points
  8. Whistle: 76 points
  9. Wag Labs: 76 points
  10. Every Doggy: 76 points

More information is available at RentCafe’s site — for instance, while Wag Labs got a total of 76 points, it got significantly better (and more) reviews for its iOS app than its Android app (a five-star rating with 43,500 reviews vs. a three-star rating with 7,300 reviews, respectively). If you’re an iOS user, you probably don’t care about Android ratings so much.

Of course, the best pet apps aren’t all about the ratings. No one is denying that Chewy is a great app if you need food, treats, or toys for your pup, but if you’re looking for a pet sitter, it won’t do you much good. As such, RentCafe also broke down the top apps into different categories:

  • Pet-sitting: Rover
  • Pet monitoring & tracking: Tractive
  • Pet health: Whistle
  • Pet care: DogLog
  • Pet training: Puppr
  • Traveling & shopping for pets: Chewy

Being a pet parent isn’t easy, but having the right tools at your fingertips can make it a little less stressful. With these pet apps, you’ll be well on your way.

This is how you stop your dog from constantly begging at the table
If you give in, you're reinforcing this bad behavior
A Cavalier King Charles spaniel begs for food at the table.

Your dog is your best friend, and you've been through a lot together. From walks in the park to daily snuggles on the sofa, you share almost everything with your pooch. One thing you don't want to share? Your food. If you're noshing on chocolate or a full plate of spaghetti, you should know that many human foods are actually toxic to your pup and should never be shared.

But even if you're eating a pet-safe snack, like a turkey sandwich, you probably don't want your beastie begging for food every time you sit down to a meal. Have you ever wondered what prompts a dog begging for food when they get plenty to eat? We're here to dish out the scoop on why pooches beg and how you can get them to stop. 
Is dog begging a learned behavior?

Read more
Safely expressing your dog’s anal glands at home is much easier than you think
Just make sure you have all the right tools for the job
A dog's tail on a wood floor background

You may have noticed a strange smell coming from your dog’s bottom or even a mysterious brown stain on his bed — these are just a few warning signs that it’s time to have your dog’s anal glands expressed, or cleared. Surprisingly, learning how to express dog anal glands is actually easier than you think, and you can do it right from home. The hardest part will be keeping your pup still for the process!
With just a few minutes and a couple of household toiletries, you can help your furry friend avoid major booty discomfort. Of course, a groomer or veterinarian will be happy to help with this process, but there is no reason you can’t learn to do it yourself — if you feel able, of course! Here’s everything you need to know about your dog’s anal glands.

Can I express my dog's anal glands myself? Does my dog need to see a vet?

Read more
Love cold weather? These are the breeds that will join you in the snow
Look for a dog with a fluffy coat and a love of the outdoors
Two malamutes in the snow

When you look at a Yorkie or Chihuahua, it's impossible to imagine that these guys came from wolves. However, other pup pups seem happiest in the wild and seem right at home against a snowy field. While lots of dogs can't handle temps below 70, a few breeds thrive in the coldest months of the year. They tend to have bigger bodies, thick coats, and a penchant for the outdoors. If you're the type to enjoy winter hikes, sledding, or building a snow pup, consider one of these cold-weather dogs.

Siberian huskies

Read more