The Only 5 You Need for Care, Training, Tracking, Monitoring & First Aid
Pet apps can genuinely make daily life easier — from finding a trusted sitter and tracking your pet’s location to training better and handling emergencies. In this guide, we hand-pick five excellent apps that cover the entire journey: on-demand care, GPS & wellness tracking, smart monitoring with vet help, positive-reinforcement training, and instant first-aid guidance.
Make your life—and that of our little friends—a little easier.
If you’re a pet owner, you know there’s a lot involved in caring for them: daily walks, healthcare, feeding, and toys—everything for our little companions. Let’s give them the world—they deserve it.
Fortunately, there are apps that make this easier—from practical training tips to essential first-aid guidance and tools that keep pets entertained and happy. We’ve gathered our favorites to help your pets live their best lives.
How to choose a pet app (fast checklist)
- Goal fit: Does the app solve your top need (care, tracking, monitoring, training, first aid)?
- Compatibility: Works on your phone (iOS/Android) and, where relevant, with your tracker/camera.
- Pricing clarity: Free vs subscriptions vs booking fees; look for transparent terms and trial options.
- Safety features: GPS “escape” alerts, live monitoring, verified sitters, vet-approved content.
- Privacy controls: Location sharing, video storage, and data access you can control or disable.
- Support & coverage: Regions served (city/country), emergency numbers, hospital locator, etc.
Rover — Trusted sitters & dog walkers
Best for: Booking reputable pet sitters, boarding, daycare, and dog walking — with in-app messaging, photo updates, and GPS walk tracking.
Why it stands out
- Large, reviewed marketplace of sitters & walkers; message, book, and pay securely in-app.
- Photo & GPS updates for peace of mind; see where walks happened and how long.
- Coverage across the U.S., Canada, U.K., and parts of Europe (availability varies by city).
Pricing & availability
App: Free to download (iOS/Android). Costs: You pay per booking; the platform applies owner booking/marketplace fees which may vary by region and service. Always review fees at checkout before confirming.
Best use cases
- Traveling? Book boarding with daily photo updates.
- Busy week? Schedule recurring weekday walks.
- New sitter? Do a quick meet-and-greet, then set house notes and routines in the app.
Tractive — GPS & health tracking (dogs & cats)
Best for: Real-time GPS location and wellness insights with “virtual fences” and escape alerts for outdoor explorers.
Why it stands out
- LIVE tracking: Near real-time location updates to find a wandering pet fast.
- Virtual fences: Get an alert if your pet leaves a safe zone (garden, neighborhood).
- Health & activity: Monitor activity/sleep trends to catch issues earlier.
- Family sharing: Let trusted people see location and help if your pet slips out.
Pricing & requirements
App: Free to download. Hardware: Requires a Tractive GPS tracker device. Subscription: An active plan is required for live tracking and most features; choose monthly/annual options.
Petcube — Smart pet camera & 24/7 online vet
Best for: Two-way talk and live video, smart alerts (barking, activity), cloud history, and optional 24/7 vet chat — right from your phone.
Why it stands out
- Instant check-ins via app; soothe anxiety with voice and treat toss (on compatible models).
- Smart alerts for barking/unusual motion to reduce false notifications.
- Optional Care membership adds cloud video history, downloads, and online vet chat.
Pricing & requirements
App: Free to download. Hardware: Works with Petcube cameras. Optional subscription: Petcube Care plans offer cloud history and vet chat.
Dogo — Positive-reinforcement training (dogs)
Best for: Structured, step-by-step training plans with video demos, built-in clicker, progress tracking, and trainer feedback.
Why it stands out
- Guided daily lessons tailored to your dog’s age and skill level.
- Built-in clicker + sound markers to time rewards precisely.
- Trainer feedback (in supported tiers) to troubleshoot setbacks.
- Tracks routines (meds, walks) and supports multi-pet households.
Pricing & availability
App: Free to download with subscription options for full curricula and trainer support. Common plans include weekly, monthly, and quarterly billing; look for trials/intro offers inside the app.
American Red Cross Pet First Aid — Emergency guidance
Best for: Vet-approved first-aid steps for dogs & cats — from cuts and choking to heatstroke — plus quizzes, how-to videos, and a hospital locator.
Why it stands out
- Step-by-step checklists and videos for common emergencies.
- Build a pet profile (meds, allergies, microchip/tag numbers) you can show at a clinic fast.
- “Find a vet/animal hospital” locator and early-warning symptom lists.
Pricing & availability
App: Free to download on iOS/Android in supported regions.
Quick comparison table
| App | Main purpose | Free to download | Paid elements | Works for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rover | Book sitters, boarding, daycare, walks | Yes | Booking/marketplace fees applied to owner at checkout; sitter earnings subject to platform fees | Dogs & cats (service availability varies) |
| Tractive | Real-time GPS, virtual fences, wellness | Yes | Requires Tractive tracker + active subscription | Dogs & cats |
| Petcube | Smart cam, alerts, cloud video, online vet | Yes | Petcube camera required; Care membership optional | Dogs & cats |
| Dogo | Positive-reinforcement training with guidance | Yes | Subscriptions for full programs/trainer feedback | Dogs |
| Red Cross Pet First Aid | Emergency first-aid steps & learning | Yes | Core app free; optional classes/certifications separate | Dogs & cats |
Real-life “recipes” you can copy
1) Outdoor explorer (cat/dog)
- Set up Tractive: Fit tracker snugly; create a Home fence and a No-go street zone.
- Daily check-in: Review activity/sleep trends and tweak feeding/walks.
- Backup plan: Share live location with a family member for quick help.
2) Separation-anxiety fixer
- Petcube: Two-way talk during short absences; use treat toss to reinforce calm behavior.
- Dogo: Train “settle on mat”; gradually lengthen alone-time intervals.
- Safety: If barking spikes, check Petcube alerts and review triggers (delivery times, neighbors, etc.).
3) Weekend getaway
- Rover: Book boarding with a sitter who sends daily photo updates & walk GPS logs.
- Prep: Share feeding/med schedules and a vet contact; pack familiar bedding.
- Emergency: Keep Red Cross First Aid app on your home screen just in case.
Privacy & data protection: what matters
FAQ
Are these apps free? All five are free to download. Some require hardware and/or subscriptions (e.g., trackers, camera cloud plans), and service marketplaces add booking fees.
Which work for cats? Tractive, Petcube, Rover (depending on services), and Red Cross First Aid cover cats; Dogo is focused on dogs.
Do I need subscriptions? Only where the core function depends on it (e.g., live GPS updates, cloud video history, trainer feedback).
Are GPS trackers safe? Modern trackers use secure links and let you manage who can view your pet’s location. Keep firmware updated and share access sparingly.
Do I need Wi-Fi? Cameras require Wi-Fi; trackers use cellular networks via their own subscription. All apps work over mobile data for control.
What if I’m offline? First-aid guides can be pre-downloaded; GPS tracking needs signal; plan accordingly for hikes and travel.
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