The 16 Best Dog Apps for Pet Parents

• This review contains affiliate links. Read more here.
• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

From checking the weather to finding the fastest driving route, we use apps every day to help us navigate our lives. So it makes sense to also use them to provide the best care for our pups—it takes a village, after all!

When it comes to keeping our dogs happy and healthy, there are some pretty clever gadgets and apps that do everything from finding pup playdates to tracking vaccinations and vet visits. But with so many choices, which dog apps are the best and which aren’t worth the download?

To help you out, we sifted through countless pet parent reviews, scoured Reddit, and even tested some of these dog apps ourselves. Here are our top picks!

New Dog Parenting

Best for Adoption: WeRescue Dog Adoption App

WeRescue is similar to dating apps, but for dogs: swipe your way through pet photos until you find a likely match. Even if you’re not ready right now, you can dare to dream.

WeRescue lets you set up extensive filters to find a rescue dog that’s the right personality, size, and breed mix for you. And hey, if you’re considering branching out from canines, you can use WeRescue to search for horses and reptiles, too!

Key Features:

• Browse photos of adoptable pets in your area
• Set filters to find a pup that will best fit your home
• Contact rescues directly via the app
• Available on iOS

Best for Breed Identification: Dog Scanner

Curious about your dog’s lineage? With the Dog Scanner app, you can find out what breed or mix of breeds your dog is by using your camera or uploading a photo. Within minutes, the app will give you an answer, as well as detailed information about that breed. It’s not as good as a dog DNA test—but it is a lot less expensive.

Key Features:

• Identifies both pure and mixed breeds
• Info about your dog’s breed and characteristics
• Fast results
• Available on iOS and Android

Best for Routine Tracking: Pup to Date

This app helps you build a schedule and track your dog’s daily activities. Easily keep tabs on training, potty breaks, medications, and more. Plus, set recurring reminders so you don’t forget anything important. After all, a strict schedule is a must when it comes to successfully training a pup.

Key Features:

• Easy-to-use scheduling app
• Track your dog’s activities and training
• Set reminders and keep tabs on potty breaks
• Available on iOS

Best for Pet Care Services: PetDesk

Staying on top of your dog’s well-being can seem like an endless job, especially if you have a pup that needs extra medical attention. This app makes it easy to keep all your pet’s health info in one place, from your pup’s vet to their groomer.

Track checkups, vaccinations, and lab results, and quickly request prescription refills. You can also set health and appointment reminders via email, text, or the app.

Key Features:

• Manage your pup’s health needs in one place
• Schedule appointments and request medicine refills from the app
• Set reminders for upcoming visits
• Available on iOS and Android

Health & Wellness Dog Apps

Best for Fitness: The Rover App

We’re not afraid to toot our own horn. There’s a reason the Rover dog walking app has an average rating of 4.9 stars on the App Store with over 460k reviews. In fact, it’s the number one dog-walking app available.

Much as you’d like to, you can’t always take your dog with you on outings or be home for a midday walk. That’s where Rover can help. Our free app gives you access to the nation’s largest network of pet sitters and dog walkers. Read reviews, browse photos, and message the perfect sitter for you, your dog, and your budget. Then, book and pay through Rover’s secure app. Finding the best care for your best friend has never been easier.

Key Features:

• Find and book dog walkers and sitters right from the app
• Make hassle-free and secure payments
• Get messages, pictures, and updates about your dog while on the go
• Available on iOS and Android

Best for Safety: The Woof App

Do you ever worry about your pup being stranded at home alone if something were to happen to you? This smartphone app helps ease that concern by preparing you for the unexpected. Using pre-set timers linked to your home address, Woof can identify if you’ve been away or immobile for too long.

When your timer expires, it triggers a three-tiered response. First, the Woof support staff will try reaching out to you. Next, they’ll go down the list of your emergency contacts. And finally, they’ll initiate a wellness check, sending local authorities to your home.

Key Features:

• Safety net to ensure your pup is never stranded alone
• Combines geolocation technology and 24/7 support
• Includes a pet profile so your pup’s info is all in one place
• Available on iOS and Android

Best for Health: Pet First Aid from the American Red Cross

Accidents happen; that’s why it pays to be prepared. This free app from the American Red Cross has tons of helpful information about how to respond to pet emergencies. Using text, video, and images, it offers step-by-step instructions for over 25 common scenarios, like if your dog gets in a fight or has an allergic reaction. You can also use it to locate the nearest vet or pet hospital and identify common toxic substances.

Key Features:

• First aid instructions for over 25 common pet situations
• Helpful tips like how to administer meds and identify toxic substances
• Vet and emergency pet hospital locator
• Available on iOS and Android

Best for Grooming: Pawsh

Whether your dog needs a full grooming session or a simple nail trimming, finding a groomer you like can be a challenge. Luckily, the Pawsh app makes the experience easier by connecting pet parents with local groomers in their area, including mobile and in-home groomers, as well as grooming salons. You can even schedule an appointment right on the app once you find a groomer who’s a good fit for your pup.

Key Features:

• Find and book appointments with dog groomers within a 10-mile radius
• Filter groomers by location, rating, or specialty
• Conveniently pay and tip through the app
• Available on iOS and Android

Tracking

Best GPS: Whistle App (Verified Review)

With the Whistle app, you can track your dog’s location and activities with the accompanying GPS device. Get notifications when your pup leaves a safe area and check on them from a mobile map. Our Whistle Go testers consistently found their dogs when using the Whistle app. They also reported almost no calibration delays for dogs on the move—the fewest of any tracking app we tested.

The app also ensures your pup gets enough healthy activity by setting goals and awarding (virtual) badges. It also tracks behaviors like licking and scratching and offers free access to vet support so you can quickly address any wellness changes in your pup. There’s even a poop scan feature that analyzes pictures of your pet’s stool to monitor their digestive health.

Key Features:

• Tracks dogs in real-time; sends alerts when pups leave their designated safe zones
• Creates custom fitness goals and monitors daily health
• Offers access to licensed vets directly via the app
• Works in the U.S. and Canada
• Available on iOS and Android

Best International: Tractive App (Verified Review)

This handy app accompanies a wearable GPS device and works similarly to the Whistle, with real-time tracking, “safe zone” alerts, and health monitoring. However, there are a few key differences. First, Tractive services extend beyond North America, with GPS tracking available in over 150 countries via an iOS and Android app or browser. The device and subscription are also more affordable.

In our Tractive testing, we found the device and app to offer comparable location tracking, though the health monitoring system is a bit less robust than Whistle. 

Key Features: 

• No range limitation; works in over 150 countries and utilizes multiple cellular networks & GPS satellites
• Provides live tracking and location history
• Includes health alerts and activity tracking 
• The app is easy to configure and use
• Available on iOS and Android

Socialization

Best for Dog-Friendly Travel: BringFido

If your dog is joining you on vacation, there’s a lot of research to do ahead of time. Where are the dog-friendly hotels? How about dog-friendly restaurants? The BringFido app can tell you. Search by location, and use the built-in filters for price, dog size, and more to find the best dog-friendly accommodations for your canine companion.

BringFido is also worth exploring if you’re about to move and want to find the best dog-friendly places in your new neighborhood. You can even sign up to receive alerts for upcoming dog-friendly events.

Key Features:

• Offers free access to pet-friendly information worldwide
• Built-in filters let you customize your search for your dog
• Sign up to receive alerts for events in your area
• Available on iOS and Android

Best for Playdates: DogHood

DogHood is like a virtual dog park. The app connects you to other pet parents in your area to schedule playdates, meet up with new doggy friends, or coordinate a dog-sitting swap. There are also features to alert your community if your pup escapes.

Key Features:

• Meet new dog friends and schedule playdates
• Create lost and found alerts
• Find same-breed meetups
• Available on iOS and Android

Best for Parks: Sniffspot

Finding safe off-leash areas can be ruff, especially if you live in the city with an anxious or reactive dog. That’s where the Sniffspot app comes in handy, connecting you with locals renting out private land for your pup to romp. These spaces feature all types of private “dog parks.” Some are in fenced-in backyards; others have beach access, hiking trails, agility courses—you name it!

And the best part? Only the dogs in your booking will be at the rented spot during your visit, so you don’t have to worry about any surprise encounters.

Key Features:

• Browse the app for nearby private dog parks
• Check out photos and read verified reviews
• Book private spaces directly via the app
• Available on iOS and Android

Training

Best for General Training: GoodPup

Among the many dog training apps out there, GoodPup stands out for its more personalized approach. Pet parents receive a customized training plan as well as access to weekly, one-on-one video sessions with a professional trainer. Utilizing positive reinforcement, the app caters to puppies as well as to adult dogs who may need help with issues like jumping or play biting.

Key Features:

• Private weekly video calls with a professional trainer
• Daily guided practice and progress check-ins
• Unlimited 24/7 chat support with behavior and vet experts
• Subscription plan required
• Available on iOS and Android

Best for Sounds: iTrainer Dog Whistle & Clicker

A loud and distinctive whistle sound can cut through other noises and serve as an effective way to teach your dog recall or other obedience basics. With the iTrainer app, you get a loud, high-frequency whistle with the touch of a button. You can even adjust the frequency, modulation, and speed. The app also includes multiple clicker sounds to help mark preferred behaviors, as well as a variety of animal and squeaky noises for playtime.

Key Features:

• Over 100 sounds, including a high-frequency whistle, clicker, animal, and squeaker toy noises
• Includes reference guides for whistle, recall, and obedience training
• Record and save your own custom sounds
• Compatible with iOS devices, including Apple Watch

Best TV: DogTV

The DogTV app helps entertain pups when their humans can’t give them their full attention. The app offers both stimulating and calming videos without any breaks, so you can leave it on continuously throughout the day. With music and animal sounds accompanying the videos, the app can also serve as white noise to help minimize other sounds from outside your home that may distress your pup during the day.

Key Features:

• Developed to reduce anxiety, stress, and boredom
• Includes a playlist that aids in desensitizing dogs to certain sounds
• Can be streamed from a tablet, computer, or TV
• Subscription required
• Available on iOS and Android

Pet Parent Resources

While apps are helpful, sometimes you need some in-person assistance. Consider Rover for a helping hand (or sturdy leash arm) when it comes to caring for your pet while you’re away. Looking for a sitter in your neighborhood? Explore Rover’s pet care services, ranging from dog walkers to boarding facilities.