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.

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.

Editors' Recommendations

Nicole Carlino
What you need to know about dogs with blue eyes
Here are the facts behind blue eyes in dogs, a rarity that comes with some health risks
Upside down brown dog

Blue-eyed dogs are striking, mostly because they are such an unusual sight. After all, even though all puppies are born with blue eyes, 95% of them will change color within the first eight to 10 weeks of life. And while there’s almost nothing sweeter than staring into the brown eyes of an adoring pet, those dog breeds with blue eyes are, well, a sight to behold.

If you’re lucky enough to own a dog with blue eyes, congratulations. If, like the rest of us, you’re just curious about what causes that beautiful abnormality, read on. We’ll share which dog breeds naturally have blue eyes, why that occurs, and if blue-eyed dogs are at risk for health problems as a result.

Read more
Could it be a dog paw infection? Signs, symptoms, and treatments for these pesky, painful issues
Dog paw infection 101: How to avoid and treat this problem
Dog paws on a wood slab

It's hard not to relish daily walks with your dog. You both get fresh air and much-needed exercise, and seeing your dog explore and discover the world is oh-so-fun. Afterward, you and your pup might even engage in a cozy snuggle session on the couch. What could be better?
Dogs also walk in small amounts at home, whether during a play session or a trip to the backyard, and paw health is essential to keep them comfortable and walking. If one or more of your dog’s paws gets injured or infected, mobility can be tricky, painful, and sometimes impossible. As a pet parent, the last thing you want is to see your fur baby in pain. Injuries might be inevitable, but understanding the causes, signs, and treatment for a dog paw infection can ensure your pet gets the proper care as soon as possible. After all, early detection and treatment can prevent the condition from getting worse.
Here’s what you need to know.

What causes a dog paw infection? You can help your pup avoid paw discomfort if you know what to look for
As much as we'd like to give you an easy answer, several factors can contribute to a paw infection. Here are a few common ones.

Read more
Is your puppy breathing fast while sleeping? Here’s when you should worry and how to help your dog
When to call a vet because your pup is breathing fast while sleeping
A Jack Russell terrier lies in bed between the feet of his owner

It’s hard not to love watching your puppy sleep. In fact, they might somehow manage to get cuter as they snooze. They look so content and peaceful, especially if they're snuggled up to you. Though experts frequently recommend giving your pet their own sleep space, like a crate, it’s ultimately up to you. Regardless of where and when your puppy is sleeping, you want them to be comfortable and safe. If you notice your puppy breathing fast while sleeping, you may get worried. Should you be? It depends.
Here’s what experts want you to know about labored breathing during sleep and when to call a vet.

Different puppy sleeping patterns
Before we get into breathing patterns, it could help to have some knowledge of puppy sleeping patterns. They're similar to ours, though puppies cycle through them more quickly than humans. A puppy may experience 20 sleep cycles nightly. Humans typically go through about four or five cycles. These are the phases.

Read more