Cross-Platform Pet Care App with BLE Wearable Integration
Project Overview
Client Introduction
A leading European pet care chain offering veterinary services, pet products and wellness solutions across multiple cities.
Client Industry
Pet Care & Wellness Technology
Client Location
Germany
Project Objective
Deliver a next-gen mobile application that enables pet owners to manage health records, receive intelligent care reminders and track pets in real time using GPS-enabled wearables — all from a unified digital platform.
Business Need / Problem Statement
The client wanted to digitally extend their in-store and clinical services by launching a custom software solution that pet owners could rely on daily. Fragmented third-party apps, poor synchronization with wearables and lack of real-time location visibility were hurting customer experience and limiting upsell potential. A central platform with strong offline access, intuitive UX and deep third-party integration was needed to elevate service delivery and build brand stickiness.
Technology Stack
Frontend / Mobile
Flutter (cross-platform), Dart
Backend & APIs
Node.js (Express), GraphQL & REST hybrid API
Database
PostgreSQL
Geolocation & Mapping
Google Maps API, Mapbox SDK
Wearable Integration
BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) SDKs, Custom GPS collar API
Cloud & Hosting
Firebase (authentication, notifications, crash reporting), AWS (backend services)
Offline Capabilities
Local persistence via SQLite and background sync
DevOps & Tooling
Android Studio, Xcode, GitHub Actions, Firebase App Distribution
Real-World Problems That Needed Smarter Digital Thinking
Disconnected Digital & Physical Experiences
Customers had to juggle multiple apps and manual records for vet visits, pet meds and GPS collars. There was no unified platform linking in-store services with wearable devices and health data.
Outdated GPS Integration
The pet tracking collars sold in-store had limited utility due to lack of mobile integration. Customers couldn’t view real-time location or receive geofence alerts — reducing perceived value and returns.
Timezone Confusion for Reminders
Pet owners traveling with their pets often missed alerts due to reminders not adjusting automatically to new timezones; especially critical for meds and vet checkups.
No Offline Support in Key Regions
Several client store locations served rural or low-connectivity areas. Customers there experienced app crashes or incomplete data access when offline, severely impacting usability.
Limited Developer Flexibility with Legacy Stack
Their older backend, built on Magento and SOAP APIs, restricted the addition of new features and caused delays in syncing between services and devices.
Rebuilding Pet Care App from the Backend Up — With a Future-Ready Architecture
To modernize the client’s digital offering, our remote software development team executed a full-stack rebuild — designed for performance, scalability and deep integration with physical devices. From the ground up, we focused on replacing legacy constraints with a modular, API-first approach.
Discovery & Alignment Phase
We kicked off with user journey mapping and stakeholder workshops across store managers, veterinary teams and frequent app users. This revealed behavioral patterns (e.g., offline dependency in rural regions) and feature gaps (e.g., no real-time pet location feedback), helping us anchor the pet care app product roadmap around real-world impact.
Cross-Platform App with Flutter
A unified mobile codebase using Flutter allowed us to ship both Android and iOS apps faster while ensuring consistent performance and UI behavior. With Dart’s reactive architecture, features like timeline updates, reminders and real-time map rendering became seamless.
Scalable API-Driven Backend
We rebuilt the backend using Node.js (Express) with a hybrid GraphQL/REST API layer. This enabled fine-grained data retrieval so users could fetch just what they needed, reducing load times and improving battery life for mobile. PostgreSQL was selected for reliable, structured storage of health logs, location records and vet schedules.
GPS Collar Integration via BLE
The client’s existing collar hardware was modernized with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols. Our app developers created a dedicated SDK layer to communicate with the collars, pulling real-time GPS coordinates and syncing them to the app. Users could now live-track pets, set safe zones and receive exit/entry alerts instantly.
Smart, Timezone-Aware Reminders
We engineered a dynamic scheduling engine that recalibrates alerts based on the device’s local time zone. Whether on vacation or relocating, users never miss a feeding, medication or grooming session.
Offline Syncing and Resilience
SQLite-based local storage paired with background sync allowed users to access pet data and log new events even without the internet. Once online, the app automatically syncs changes to the cloud, handling version conflicts smartly.
Security & Compliance
We followed GDPR best practices, enforced encrypted data transmission (TLS) and used Firebase Authentication for secure identity management. Only permissioned devices could access pet data and location sharing required explicit user opt-in.
Modern Tools for Pet Parents — Powered by Custom Software
Our offshore software development company delivered a polished, intuitive app experience with a rich feature set that seamlessly connected the digital and physical sides of pet care.
Interactive Pet Dashboard
Centralized pet profiles with health stats, allergies, feeding schedules and vet history; presented in a clean, timeline-based UI.
Real-Time GPS Collar Integration
Live pet location tracking via BLE-enabled collars, with geofencing, movement logs and alert systems for lost pet scenarios.
Smart Reminders with Time zone
Sync
Adaptive scheduling engine for medication, feeding, walking and appointments — auto-adjusting to user location and device timezone.
Store & Service Locator
Integrated map interface for discovering nearby clinics, groomers and pet product stores with directions and distance filtering.
Offline Mode with Auto Sync
Local data caching and deferred synchronization, so users can access and log pet activity without needing real-time connectivity.
Event-Driven Notification System
Firebase-powered push notifications for custom alerts, store promotions, vet reminders and location events.
Photo Timeline & Journaling
Visual pet timeline where users can upload photos, log milestones and track daily activities with rich-media support.
Activity & Weather Insights
Integration with weather APIs to offer smart suggestions for outdoor activity and climate-sensitive pet care.
GraphQL-Powered Performance
Fine-tuned data querying to reduce app latency and battery drain, enabling smoother UX even in bandwidth-restricted environments.
Measurable Wins That Prove the Value of Custom Software
With the new platform live across major app stores, the client saw a substantial uplift in customer satisfaction, device adoption and operational efficiency — cementing their position as a tech-forward leader in the pet care industry.
Uptick in Collar Device Sales
Seamless integration with the app turned GPS collars into high-demand items, supported by live demos in retail stores.
Boost in Monthly Active Users (MAU)
The launch of the modern mobile app led to a spike in engagement, with more customers managing daily pet routines digitally.
Reduction in Missed Reminders
Thanks to timezone-aware alerts and smart scheduling, users reported far fewer missed medication and vet appointments.
Faster Feature Deployment
Flutter’s single codebase enabled our app development team to roll out new features and updates simultaneously across both platforms.
Offline User Retention Increased
Offline capabilities proved critical in rural markets, helping retain users who previously abandoned the old app due to connectivity issues.
Streamlined Internal Ops
Store staff spent less time explaining device features or resolving app issues, as the app provided clear, guided user experiences.
A Custom Software Platform That Puts
Pets and People — First
This wasn’t just another app rollout. It was a digital transformation tailored to the realities of modern pet care. By outsourcing pet care app development to a dedicated, offshore software development team, the client gained a scalable, resilient solution that connects customers with their pets and their brand — 24/7.
From real-time GPS integration and weather-based activity tips to offline support and location-aware alerts, every feature was intentionally crafted to reduce friction and build trust. The custom software product didn’t just digitize pet care, it humanized it.
As the client continues to grow across new regions, the flexible, modular architecture enables rapid expansion whether that’s integrating tele-vet services, launching subscription boxes or embedding AI-driven wellness insights. With a solid foundation in place, the possibilities are now wide open.
Thinking about building a next-gen pet care app?
We specialize in custom software development for pet care tech businesses. Whether you’re managing a chain of clinics or launching a new product, our offshore team can help you deliver a polished, high-performance app your users will love.
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