Dos and Don'ts for Your Trip to the Vet

Best Pet Apps

LHJ?'s tech guru, Sara Haines, shares her favorite mobile tools for keeping your pet safe and healthy.

(free for iPhone and iPad)

Think of this app as a mobile storehouse for your dog's vital information: medical records, emergency contacts -- even health insurance information. You can e-mail the profile directly to a new vet or dogsitter, saving you from transferring records or writing out instructions when you leave town.

($3.99 for iPhone and $2.99 for Android)

If your pet steps on broken glass or scarfs down a bunch of chocolate, you need to act fast. Use this app for instant access to detailed first-aid instructions (along with handy videos and illustrations) until you can get your animal professional care.

(free for iPhone and iPad)

Traveling with your dog or cat? Try this app to search for nearby vets, clinics, or pet-friendly hotels. Display the results on a map and get directions from your current location. You can even scope out fellow users' reviews of a new veterinarian you're considering.

Originally published in Ladies' Home Journal, September 2011.