# Pet First Aid: — user reviews > 69 indexed App Store user reviews of Pet First Aid by American Red Cross, rated 4.21/5 from 71 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pet-first-aid/id780415389/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pet-first-aid/id780415389.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 39 · 4★ 15 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 3 · 1★ 6 ## What do users think of Pet First Aid? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 Great information for emergencies - 👍 Handy for quick reference - 👍 Useful for identifying symptoms - 👍 Vet and hotel finders are helpful - 👍 Easy to switch between dog/cat info - 👍 Pet records stored on phone - 👍 Good basic resource - 👍 Informative and to the point - 👍 Comprehensive and free - 👍 Easy to navigate interface - 👍 Well-organized and informative - 👍 Helpful for first-time pet owners - 👍 Good for basic concerns - 👍 Easy to understand format - 👍 Life saver in emergencies - 👍 Well worth the download **Cons** - 👎 App not updated - 👎 Lacks credibility - 👎 Content is mostly for dogs - 👎 Not iPad friendly - 👎 Assumes all pets are dogs - 👎 Limited pet information fields - 👎 Dangerous advice mentioned - 👎 Reverts to dog section - 👎 Unclear emergency classification - 👎 Lacks videos and illustrations - 👎 Inconsistent quiz scoring - 👎 Vet finder has distance errors - 👎 Lacks index for quick reference - 👎 Missing common pet issues (e.g., ear itching) - 👎 Some advice is common sense - 👎 Not helpful for exotic pets - 👎 Some advice may be outdated - 👎 Does not work on all iPads **Commonly reported bugs** - CPR quiz scoring is incorrect - App reverts to dog section upon reopening - Vet finder has inaccurate distance information - App does not work on all iPads - Tests are not working/scoring correctly **Most requested features** - Update the app - Add videos showing techniques - Allow sending feedback from within the app - Add a 'foods to avoid' section for dogs and cats - Show local vets - Add information on diarrhea - Include a section on pet fever - Add more pet information fields (birthdate, breed, medical conditions, cautions, photo) - Add information for rabbits and other animals - Add summer and winter tips that are accessible year-round - Add illustrations and explicit instructions - Add a section on ear itching - Add an index for quick reference - Add videos on bandaging and tick removal - Improve iPad compatibility - Allow easy sharing of pet/vet info with family - Separate apps for cat vs. dog ## Newest reviews (16 of 69) ### 4/5 — Dark Icon Not Working on iPad *2026-05-21, version 2.8.2* Please fix ### 3/5 — Needs Update *2025-11-18, version 2.8.1* This app hasn’t been updated. Are there plans to update it as the others have? ### 2/5 — NOT IPAD FRIENDLY *2021-05-29, version 2.5.0* It would. have been nice for this app to be like most, if not all of the Red cross apps, that are ipad friendly, and can be used in landscape mode. This app isnt. I hope they will fix this. ### 2/5 — You assume all pets are dogs!!! *2021-01-27, version 2.5.0* The instructions assume all pets are dogs! And there’s nowhere to chose between cats, dogs, iguanas for that matter! ### 4/5 — Helpful app *2019-09-13, version 2.3.1* Our dog was recently diagnosed with bloat, a life threatening illness that requires immediate attention. I used the app to quickly verify the symptoms for the condition and get him help quickly. ### 4/5 — I will be “The FIRST Responder” *2019-01-25, version 2.3.0* Good advice for the person on hand. I get the veterinary complaints but as a first responder it is my duty to care for the pet till we can reach a vet. That is what will make this app of great value to me. ### 4/5 — Good info PENDING actual vet care *2018-10-01, version 2.2* I’m a retired “people” surgeon. I think the advice is pretty good; the veterinarians criticizing it seem mainly and perhaps appropriately concerned that owners will use it as a substitute for professional veterinary care. Hopefully, owners that download it love their pets and will seek the best care available, as soon as possible. Sometimes, however, you have no choice, due to time or distance, and you need to step up. If there are specific bits of advice that should be changed, the naysayers would do more good by enumerating those concerns here, or better yet by suggesting changes to the app developer, or by suggesting another app. Simply encouraging ignorance is not helpful. ### 3/5 — Eh *2018-08-28, version 2.2* Decent and well running app, sadly there’s only information for dogs and cats. Being a hedgehog owner, this is not helpful. ### 4/5 — Great Brief Information *2018-03-07, version 2.1* Everything is fine but I’d be happy to see a option that shows local vets. ### 4/5 — Good app in a pretty poor field *2017-10-01, version 2.1* Red Cross knows how to do first aid training and this app is a good example. All pet owners should have an app and this is the best — a good app -- amongst a pretty lousy bunch. Needs a bit of attention the fine detail but the medical content is sound. Recommended app. ### 4/5 — Helpful *2017-08-06, version 2.1* Very useful information to get you thru until you can get to a vet. Would like to see some info on diarrhea. What to do, how long before taking to vet etc.. ### 4/5 — Nice Dog/Cat First Aid Training *2017-07-09, version 2.1* This App is a must-have for all dog/cat owners. It gives you valuable information on how to recognize and treat common pet emergencies. NOTE: I would have given this app 5 stars except for two issues: 1. No videos showing techniques for those of us who don't understand the written directions and 2. The inability to send feedback from within the App. For example, the CPR quiz consistently scores me a 3 out of 4 even though I get every question correct. P.S. I finally found Developers Support here in the Apple App Store—but it certainly would have been beneficial to have been able to send it directly from within the App. ### 3/5 — Decently well-rounded info *2017-01-15, version 2.1* Am pleased with the information set forth through the app, and feel this could be useful with very basic concerns or questions related to my pet's health. Would love to see it include at least one category dedicated to pet fever (aside from the area dedicated to heat stroke), which can have a variety of causes, and require a number of emergency interventions. ### 5/5 — Handy Tool! *2016-06-18, version 1.0.3* If you have a cat or dog, this is a great tool to have around to help you properly care for your furry friend! ### 5/5 — Awesome app! *2016-06-13, version 1.0.3* Really useful information about how to look after my pets and what to do in an emergency situation. ### 5/5 — Super useful! *2016-05-26, version 1.0.3* Glad I have this on my phone. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — No *2025-08-19, version 2.8.1* Awful app, zero credibility ### 1/5 — City the Kitty nonprofit *2024-09-27, version 2.8.1* The Red Cross is using AAHA.org on this Pet First Aid app and AAHA is one of the last big veterinary organizations that allows declawing in their hospitals. The Red Cross has humane options with ethical companies who have banned this barbaric cat cruelty like VCA, Banfield, Petco, Petsmart, Mission vet partners, Ethos, and more. Be better Red Cross and stop using a company like AAHA who puts profits over the welfare of innocent cats. Citythekitty.org ### 1/5 — Pet? Should be Dog firstaid *2023-03-03, version 2.7.0* This app name is misleading all the content in the app is about dog. I have a cat, this app is totally useless So disappointing ### 1/5 — No layman recommendations *2019-07-19, version 2.3.1* Every time I have needed this it would recommend seeing a vet. Duh!! If Icould see a vet I wouldn’t need to refer to this app. ### 1/5 — Not much to it *2016-05-04, version 1.0.3* Not worth the download pretty much sums it up. Basically common sense info. If you don't have the common sense to know how seriously your pet is injured, maybe you should have learned some before getting fido or kitty. The app has some dangerous advise, and some (very little) good advise. ### 1/5 — Not worth the download *2016-03-23, version 1.0.3* Much of the information in this app shouldn't be followed. The Pet Info section is lacking. Much of the info about your pet that you may want enter, you can't. You can only enter your pets age by year, not weeks or months. You can't even enter when they were born. Can't enter the breed of dog. The PetFirstAid app by Jive Media allowed you to enter a lot more info about your dog than this app does. Too bad it was removed from the app store. ### 1/5 — Dangerous Advice *2015-04-30, version 1.0.3* I agree with Dr. LoSasso's review " Dangerous advice!" anyone who uses this app must take precaution to the advice the app provides. People, PLEASE remember you cannot replace years of medical training with an app; if so everyone would be a doctor. Use common sense, if your pet his sick, do the right thing and take him or her to a qualified doctor who can provide proper treatment. I give this one star for the individuals who do not have the common sense to seek proper medical attention for their pets and rely on sub-par advice in medical apps and self diagnose on websites. ### 1/5 — Garbage *2015-04-26, version 1.0.3* Nothing on rabbits. Glad it was free. Delete. ### 1/5 — Review *2014-08-16, version 1.0.2* Total waste . Each and every topic tells you to contact your local vet. Big waste ### 1/5 — Poor ?? *2014-02-15, version 1.0.2* Looked at listing of vets in our area. Serious errors in distances. Sometimes off by 3x. Not acceptable in emergency situations ! Also fails to list our recognized Emergency 24/7 Animal Hospital. (Been there three times during middle of night). Only 24/7 hospital in area. So I have to question the reliability of medical advice. Since I'm a human medical professional, I'll verify their advice if possible. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Must have app for pet owners *2025-11-02, version 2.8.1* I had this app downloaded but hardly browsed to see how much information has been made available on it. When my dog woke me up at night gagging and pacing with a bloated stomach, I used this app and got to ease her suffering within a few hours of the onset of symptoms. Thanks for such a great app! ### 5/5 — Great App! Easy to Use *2025-02-05, version 2.8.1* *Disclaimer this app is meant to help buy a little extra time in emergencies. It should not be used as a replacement to veterinarian care only as an addition to professional clinic medical care. Anyways, I love how simple it is to switch between Dog and Cat First Aid information, and the emergency section is super handy for any urgent issues that might come up. The pet records I've set up are always at my fingertips, thanks to having them stored on my phone. The vet hospital and hotel finders are excellent resources for pet owners on the go. All in all, I highly recommend downloading this app for anyone who travels with pets. ### 5/5 — Great app! Just needs to be updated for iPad *2022-06-10, version 2.6.0* Thank you for the app. Please update for both iPhone and iPad. ### 5/5 — A Need To Know *2021-10-22, version 2.5.2* When my son lost his dog to bloat and torsion it was something we knew very very little about. In fact, it was just in passing by a friend that we heard about it before our Bella passed! We love our dogs (with my children’s and my dog) we have a total of dogs. So, being the mom that I just wanted to learn all I could to ever help them if I can. They are our family too! It’s been a blessing to learn things I didn’t know! Thank You! ### 5/5 — Good F irst Aid Guide *2020-09-14, version 2.4.0* Great guide to help in making decisions about when to seek vet care. ### 5/5 — I really love this app *2020-03-24, version 2.4.0* It’s been my go-to app since getting my dog almost 4 years ago. The one feature I’d love to see is ‘foods to avoid’ for both dogs and cats. ### 5/5 — Excellent Info *2019-12-01, version 2.3.1* This app is a great source of info. You can learn which foods (and other substances) are poisonous to your dog or cat. You can learn First Aid techniques for your pet. You can even find pet-friendly hotels in the app. ### 5/5 — 1 Go To Emergency Guide *2019-06-09, version 2.3.0* Not to be used in place of veterinarian care, this guide provides a number of guidelines to help diagnose and provide care to your pet before deciding whether or not they need emergency care. I was so unbelievably relieved when I ran across this application, it's given me proper numbers to look for in terms of proper temperatures and heart rates as well as what signs to look for that might give me an idea as to whats wrong with my pet. Sometimes having this information handy prior to a vet visit or emergency pet clinic visit can help speed up the process in providing your pet with the care that they need. For me as a woman I've always lacked all maternal instincts, except for when it comes to my dog... he's the most important thing in this world to me and it's no question that I believe he deserves all of my attentive care at all times but most especially when he's showing signs of unusual behaviors. This app has not only given me an informative guide to care but it's given me peace of mind for that if and when my dog might act a certain way or if anything were to happen I would know immediately where to look to find out what my next steps should be in giving my dog the utmost of proper care. Love your pet enough to get this application. It has proven to be invaluable to me and I know you're going to feel better having had it when it's time to need it. ### 5/5 — One of the best apps in existence *2019-01-01, version 2.3.0* If you love your cats and dogs, you need this. It is amazing. There is so much information on health and well-being, as well as information I can attest would be life-saving in more circumstances than one can imagine. The app teaches one as well as offering information. It will help you find emergency medical help for your animals, as well as help you figure out if you need an emergency Vetrinary hospital at all. Truly, this is one of the most useful apps I have ever seen. Bravo, Red Cross! ### 5/5 — Very helpful *2016-08-06, version 1.1.0* This is a great app to always have on hand when you have dogs and/or cats. Thanks for making an app for furbabies! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-15.*