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Pet Tech

5 Dog Health Apps Every Pet Parent Should Know

March 9, 2019

Main Photo Credit: Photo by Alvan Nee on Unsplash

There’s no lack of apps in the world today, but the number of apps and the plethora of uses can quickly overwhelm your phone.

As a matter of fact, I rebelled against the app takeover in January, when I read this amazing article on Medium about “How to Get Your iPhone to Work for You Not Against You“. In addition to adding your dog as a background to make your phone a source of joy and not distraction, the author suggests grouping your apps so that you don’t have pages upon pages of apps that distract you and don’t help you use your phone as a tool (which at the end of the day, is what our phones should be). It’s a 75 minute read, but 3 hours later I had reconfigured my phone to make it more challenging to spend time on social media and easier for me to reach for articles to read, meditations to do, or music to listen to.

After I completed my phone transformation, I ended up with a “Dogs” category on my phone, and it got me thinking about pet tech apps, and even more specifically pet health apps.

Pet health apps can provide you with critical information, hold you accountable for health updates and preventative medicine, and even allow you to investigate symptoms for your pet. So today, I want to share with you a brief list of 5 Pet Health Apps I think pet parents should consider adding to their phone.

When compiling the list I first completed a quick assessment of the apps that I had on my phone, and then completed a more little research.

Woof Trax

I’ve written about Woof Trax a few times on our blog, and I still think this app is fantastic! You simply turn it on while walking your dog and select a rescue to benefit from the funds you raise as you walk your dog. The more you walk with your dog, the more money you raise for your selected rescue. This app does an amazing job of combining pet health with animal altruism and I love it!

DogTrekker

Another app that I have written about before, but I think DogTrekker is great! At first this app may not seem like a “Pet Health App” in the traditional sense, but this app provides you with inspiration on where you can take your pet, whether that be adventures, hikes, beaches, etc. All of which help you keep you dog active, which is one of the pillars of keeping them healthy. Additionally, their newsletter is focused on California and the West Coast, and includes amazing ideas where you can take your dog each season.

Pet First Aid App from the American Red Cross

This app was a new download for me, but I found it recommended in several other blog posts. Once I started investigating its uses, I quickly decided this app is a MUST HAVE for pet parents! It has everything from how to check your pets vitals, to how to find what’s normal for them, to what to do about frostbite, seizures, and even CPR.

5 Dog Health Apps Every Pet Parent Should Know

Photo by Cassiano Pomsas on Unsplash

Pawprint

Pawprint helps you keep track of your pet’s medical records on your phone. Not only does this provide you with an opportunity to show proof of vaccination, but it also has the capability to help you schedule reminders for vaccination updates, and easily share information with your petsitter!

Why is having access to media record information so important? 

Having access to your pet’s medical record is critical for emergency situations. You may think that you won’t have to end up at a veterinary hospital or emergency vet far from your home, but it’s possible, and access to information about your pet’s medical history is imperative. Specifically, their reactions to surgical medications are critical for veterinarians to be able to provide your pet with the best care in an emergency.

Merck Vet Manual

Merck is king when it comes to veterinary information. I have recommended in the past, and will continue to recommend, that pet parents own this book and refer to it whenever they’re curious to learn more about their pet’s health. This app isn’t as digestible because it’s heavy on the veterinary jargon, however, it does provide you with more clinical information in the event you want to learn more about a specific disease, read case studies, or simply use the glossary to better understand your take home instructions from the veterinary hospital.

Keep in mind there are a lot of great apps that go hand-in-hand with tools for your pet, such as CleverPet, Whistle, and PetCube, but for today’s list I wanted to focus on apps that can be used specifically to improve your pet’s health.

So, that’s my list! Are there any other apps you would recommend? Besides apps do you use any other tools to be a champion for your pet’s health?

Looking to Adopt a Dog in the New Year?

January 31, 2019

Are you and your family looking to adopt a dog in the New Year?

If so, I want to share with you one new resource available for adopting pets, Get Your Pet. Get Your Pet is the online pet community connecting people looking to adopt a pet with people who need to rehome a pet.

In today’s world there are so many ways people can go about adopting and rehoming pets, and if you have known anyone in need of finding a new home for their pet, you know that it’s not only difficult, but can be very time consuming and emotionally taxing. Finding a home for a pet becomes increasingly difficult if your pet has special needs and circumstances. Rather than going to the abyss that is Facebook, Craigslist, or other social platform, people needing to rehome their pet can now find people looking to adopt right within Get Your Pet’s platform.

Who is this site for?

This site was made and designed for people who simply can’t keep their pets in the long run, but would like to find their pet a new, perfect home.

Before anyone get’s caught up saying, “How could you give up a pet you love?!?”. To that I say, let’s not judge, but rather, help. Through my work at the veterinary hospital and working at various shelters, I have crossed paths with so many people whose circumstances are gut-wrenching and would prompt empathy if only they were able to share their story and explain why they can’t keep their pet. So with that, let’s keep an open mind, and help more pet’s find their forever homes.

What is Get Your Pet’s mission?

GetYourPet.com’s website and about page say it all!

Saving lives.

Unburdening shelters.

Creating community to make a difference.

That’s our mission.

That’s what we want you to know about us.

How does it work?

Similar to the radius functionality of PetFinder.com or Adoptapet.com, you can put in the type of dog you are looking for and set up a radius from where you live to find an adorable adoptable pet not far from where you are.

Once you find a pet that you are interested in adopting, you can send secure anonymous messages to the guardians. Then, “when both you and a Guardian feel ready, you can arrange to meet up.” Most people arrange a meet up in a public park which provides a safe place for yourself, the guardian, and the pet to meet.

Not sure what to ask them when you meet? GetYourPet.com has thought this through for you and put together this awesome FAQ:

Adopter Tips for the Meet-Up or Guardian Tips for the Meet-Up.

Does it cost anything to adopt?

Indeed, there are costs associated with adopting through Get Your Pet; $99 for a dog, $49 for a cat. However, you are able to browse for pets, send messages, and meet with guardians completely free.

For the guardians, rehoming their pet is free. The posting includes 3 photos, a video and full profile of your pet, messaging anonymously with potential adopters, arranging meet-ups, and legal documentation of the adoption.

The Benefits of this Platform:

1) Ability to get all the info from the guardian

When you are able to speak directly to the person caring for the pet you are hoping to adopt, you will be able to learn and discover so much more. Unfortunately, when pets arrive at shelters, and there is a quick turnaround associated with their adoption, there isn’t always time or opportunity to get information from the previous owner. Which makes it difficult to ensure the pets are good with kids, others dogs and cats, your lifestyle, etc.

2) Messaging:

“As a member, you will be able to search in depth for the pet you want; exchange unlimited, secure messages with any Guardian who has published a pet profile; and arrange meet-ups.”

The ability to be able to speak directly with the guardian and ask questions is so important for long-term success of the adoption. I would advise people to take their time and really ask all the questions they can before arranging a meetup. Make sure that this pet will fit well with your family, lifestyle, and other animals.

3) Adoption Benefits

The adoption fees mentioned above don’t just cover the cost of the adoption, they actually provide the adopter with access to a few benefits, outlined below:

  • A legally documented adoption.
  • A voucher for a pet exam by a participating Get Your Pet Vet.
  • A certificate for 30 days’ pet insurance from Trupanion (offer varies in California).
  • Money-saving in-store coupons valuable for those who live near Pet Valu stores.
  • $40 off pet care services with Rover, the nation’s largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers (new Rover customers only).
  • Right to re-list the pet on Get Your Pet, if the adoption doesn’t work out.

Not to mention, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the local shelters.

San Francisco: The City on the Bay for Chihuahuas

At the moment, GetYourPet.com is running a special campaign to help get the many Chihuahua’s in the Bay Area their forever homes.

Unfortunately, if you go to any shelter or rescue website, you will often find many Chihuahuas in need of a loving home. Which is why I think it’s so wonderful that Get Your Pet is putting together this amazing campaign to help these sweet dogs find forever homes!

Why the Bay Area?

“Whether you want a friend to accompany you on your daily activities or need some excitement added to your life, Chihuahuas are the perfect pet for you. They love to be social and are a sophisticated breed, making them very adaptable to any activity. As one of the most dog-friendly cities in the world, San Francisco is the ideal place to raise your Chihuahua.”

We’d love to hear from you. What do you think about Get Your Pet?

How Will Your Pet Benefit From These Pet Industry Trends?

April 29, 2017

Many pet parents might be unfamiliar with the Global Pet Expo. Each year, pet experts, industry influencers, and pet professionals get together to identify the newest trends in the Pet Industry. Some of you may be thinking, does the Pet Industry grow enough to justify a conference each year? The answer is YES!

In 2001, the Pet Industry Market size was $28.5 Billion dollars. Current 2017 statistics predict that this years market size will be around $69.36 Billion. That’s just under 2.5 times the size of the market in 2001! (American Pet Products Association) Of course, this trend makes a lot of sense. Each year pets become a greater part of the family, and it’s no wonder we are spending more in the pet industry.

Petcurean attended the Global Pet Expo this year, and they were nice enough to share with us some trends they identified!

Global Pet Expo Trends 2017

  • Limited Ingredient Diets: With the incidence of food sensitivities on the rise amongst dogs and cats, pet owners are looking for limited ingredient diets which can greatly reduce the chance of food sensitivity. GO! by Petcurean, is a complete, nutrient-packed food with zero added growth hormones, by-products, or artificial preservatives, offering a single source of meat protein with as few ingredients as possible to meet the nutritional requirements of dogs and cats. GO! is available in 3 solutions-based categories for dogs and cats with issues: Grain Free recipes, Limited Ingredient Diet recipes, and Preventative Care recipes. 
    • To me, this trend comes as no surprise. There have been several food-related trends in recent years, which have encouraged people to learn more about their own food. That being said, I am excited to see more high-quality diets produced for pets. Have you tried any Limited Ingredient Diets? If so, which types of diets have worked best for your pets?
  • Pet Tech: If you aren’t familiar with the term “pet tech,” expect that to change. This year at Global Pet Expo there were a growing number of pet products that integrate technology in a variety of ways including activity trackers, video monitors, and interactive toys. From the Flitter cat toy, which has an automatic teaser toy with two plastic dragonflies that fly around and around, enticing cats to catch them, to iFetch, an automatic ball launcher that provides endless fun for your pooch – interactive toys are a great option for pet owners on the go or with extra active pets.
    • In Silicon Valley, there are a lot of Pet Tech companies emerging and growing. Not to mention the increase in pet tech startup funding. Once again, this is a trend that very much so mimics the trends we see in our own lives. As we become more and more dependent on technology, we are looking for solutions that include our pets as well. What Pet Tech products have you tried?

How Will Your Pet Benefit From These Pet Industry Trends?

  • Transparency & Clean labels: As Millennials increasingly expect sustainability, transparency and organic ingredients in their food, more consumers seek to feed their pets with the same standards of quality and excellence that they choose for themselves. Expect to see an increase in products with fewer ingredients, less preservatives, and certifications in the years to come. Petcurean’s GATHER pet food line is crafted from certified, organic, non-GMO and sustainably produced ingredients. Each recipe is free from rendered or genetically engineered ingredients and features a single source, fresh and dehydrated primary protein.
    • I have certainly become more label conscious in recent years. I am always looking for fewer, more recognizable ingredients on all of my purchases. What do you look for on labels?
  • Pet Cooling Products: Now your pet can beat the heat! There were several pet cooling mats, apparel, and bedding products showcased this year, all designed to keep your pet cool during the hot summer months. Scruffs Cool Dog Mat is filled with a non-toxic gel that keeps the self-cooling mat typically 5-10 degrees cooler than room temperature. Gen7Pets Cool-Air Cot pet bed combines portable convenience, outdoor durability, and pet-friendly comfort perfect for camping or the backyard!
    • This is the trend I am most excited about! Heat exhaustion has affected too many pets in past years. And I am really excited to see companies creating solutions! Have you used any cooling products? If so, do you feel they helped your dog?

How Will Your Pet Benefit From These Pet Industry Trends?

I am giving away 1 bag of Petcurean Spike treats from Chewy.com. All you have to do is answer the questions in bold (above) in the comments below!

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Disclaimer: I am a Petcurean blogger and a Chewy.com influencer. I was provided with food and compensation so that Rooney and I could provide our honest opinion. However, My Kid Has Paws only shares reviews we believe benefit our readers. Additionally, Petcurean is the food we feed Rooney every day. 

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