The University of Liverpool have launched DogMA (Dog Mobility App), a new app designed to help dog owners monitor and better understand their pet’s mobility and wellbeing.
DogMA is built on cutting-edge research led by Dr Natasha Clark, from the Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, as part of her master’s and PhD work. The research, supervised by Professors Eithne Comerford and Karl Bates, and conducted in collaboration with Dogs Trust (the UK’s leading dog welfare charity), highlighted the importance of early detection of mobility issues in dogs, including subtle signs of discomfort or decline often missed in routine care.
The app was expertly developed by the Mobile Application Development team within the University of Liverpool’s IT Services department, and offers a science-backed, user-friendly tool for dog owners. Using a structured questionnaire approach, DogMA allows owners to track changes in their dog’s mobility over time, identify early signs of musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, and receive tailored advice on whether to seek veterinary support.
"We know that dogs often hide pain or struggle until their condition is more advanced" said Dr Clark. "DogMA is designed to empower owners with the tools to spot problems earlier, ultimately improving dogs’ quality of life through timely intervention."
By completing regular, guided assessments through the app, users also have the opportunity to contribute anonymised data to ongoing research at the University of Liverpool, helping to advance the understanding of canine mobility and ageing across the UK.
The app was unveiled at DogFest 2025 (21-22 June) at Tatton Park, where visitors met the research team, explored the app, and took part in interactive demonstrations.
User feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with one user saying:
“I really like the app. It’s easy to use and it’s good to have a record and see changes over time. It’ll help me keep an eye on my dog.”
DogMA is now available to download for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
For more information and to download the app, view the research webpage.