It is true we are a nation of dog lovers, and if you have a four-legged best friend, you will understand just how important our furry pals become. Whether you have one dog, or many more, using your phone to help your pooch may not have been something you had considered but there are a myriad of apps out there for dog lovers on both Android and iOS platforms, so we have gathered 10 of the best for you that all dog owners need to download now.

MapMyWalk  

Chances are you love to go walking with your hound, so while designed for humans this is a great app for you to share. MapMyWalk enables GPS tracking of your morning or evening stroll. Once activated the app will track your route, and you can save favourite walkies so you can find them again or share with other users.

You also have access to other information like how many calories you have used (not your dog), how far you have walked and how long it takes to walk a kilometre.  You can add photos and other data with geotagging so other people can see what you have been up to.

Pet First Aid

A vital issue for pet owners is knowing what to do in an emergency.  While we all hope the situation never arises, having this app on your phone will give you peace of mind because you can instantly get help if you experience an issue. The app offers video explanations of how to treat problems, and there are illustrations on things like bandaging a paw, administering CPR and safely muzzling an animal who could become aggressive because they are hurt. This is a great app that could really help you stay calm in an emergency situation and means you will always know how to deal with an accident when it happens.

Pet Toxins

Still, in the area of pet health, Pet Toxins is a must have app for every pet owner. On this database style app, you will find a significant list of all the plants, trees, fruit and vegetation that are harmful to our four-legged friends. On each item, you can see what animals are affected, how the symptoms progress and other calm and sensible details to help you if the worst happens.

The app is American, so the contact information for poison control is not correct for the UK but the toxin information database it utterly invaluable. Call your vet immediately if you are concerned your pet has eaten something harmful and take the app to show them what you discovered.

DoggyDatez

A pet-friendly social app that enables you to make friends with other dog owners in your local area.  You can look for other owners with the same breed for doggy play dates and mark your own territory so people can see the area in which you spend your time. A great way to meet like minded people and their four-legged friends, and even set up breed meetings where owners can meet other dogs of the same breed.

Weather Puppy

If you have a dog that doesn’t like to go out in the rain, then it helps to check the weather before you head out. This app is forecasting cuteness as not only does it deliver an accurate weather report it features over 100 super gorgeous hounds demonstrating the weather. This is just the most adorable app we have seen all year.

iCam

One of many examples on the market, these apps require the purchase of a camera to work. Once connected you will be able to view the camera from wherever you might be using the app and check in on your precious pet. It makes leaving them at home alone a nicer experience, and you can monitor issues of separation anxiety if needed. Some apps allow you to listen in which is great if you have neighbours complaining about noise, and others let you talk to your pet for reassurance.