iPhone Apps Go to the Dogs (And Cats)!

From the practical, ingenious and just plain silly, here are our top iPhone app picks for pet owners.

Pet Notes: This app is a great all-around tool. You can create a profile including your pet’s name, breed, birthday and microchip information, set veterinary appointment reminders, track your pet’s weight and even convert his/her age to human years! Best of all, it can hold multiple entries so you can keep all your pets organized. ($1.99)

PetSnap: If you’ve got a million blurry iPhone photos of your pets like we do, you’re going to love this one. PetSnap helps you get good camera phone shots of your furry friends with 32 built-in sounds to attract their attention. ($1.99)

Petcentric: Taking Fido out on the town? This handy little app helps you find pet-friendly eateries and hotels in your area, as well as local dog parks, pet stores, groomers and shelters. (Free)

App for Cats: This endlessly entertaining app was made with kitty in mind. Watch your cat try to pounce on various moving objects, like a laser beam or an animated spider, as they zip across the screen. ($0.99)

Clicker Training: Click and treat with your smart phone! For pet owners unfamiliar with clicker training, this app also comes with a beginner’s guide, training tips and helpful videos. ($0.99)

Lolcat Maker: Everyone loves lolcats! With this app, you can easily create your own by adding funny captions to photos of your own cats—or dogs or humans! Hilarious. (Free)

Textapet: It’s a social network just for camera-happy pet lovers! Share your cute pet pics with friends and family—and follow their photo streams, too—with this app. (Free)

Petometer: Ever wonder how much mileage you’re clocking with your dog? This app can track your walks by time, distance, pace and route, as well as sync walk reminders with your phone’s calendar. (Free)

iSqueek: When you don’t have a real toy handy, a virtual one may be just as amusing! This app includes 18 individual squeaky toys, each with its own unique action and sound, to pique your dog’s interest. ($1.99)

ChocTox: Your dog just ate chocolate. Now what? This app can help you determine whether to expect an emergency trip to the vet or just some gastrointestinal upset. Treatment recommendations are calculated based on the animal’s weight and the type of chocolate ingested. Of course, it’s always best to give your veterinarian a call just in case. (Free)

Dr. Michele Drake, veterinarian and owner of The Drake Center for Veterinary Care, has been treating pets in Encinitas for over 20 years. For more information on pet health or to schedule an appointment for your pet, please call The Drake Center at (760) 753-9393 or visit www.thedrakecenter.com.