Guide to Building a Pet Care App: Features, Types, and Cost

Pets are no longer just pets – they are the furry part of our family that have their beds, wardrobes, and social media accounts because why not? For every pet parent out there, taking care of their fur babies is a number one priority, right? But let’s be honest: it’s not an easy feat. 

From health records to sitter cancellations at the last minute, balancing all of these hustle and bustles can really feel like a full-time job. That is where it comes in, then, Pet Care Apps to Save the Day. 

These pet care apps not only make life easier and smarter for pet owners but also provide them with a one-stop solution to any problem their pet throws at them.  Saying that, if you’re an entrepreneur eyeing the booming pet care market, now’s the time to jump in! 

But here’s the catch – it’s not enough to just slap together a few features and get your desired pet care app. Developing a self-care pet app takes strategy, creativity, and a clear plan to stand out.

Consider this guide as your ultimate roadmap to know features, types, costs, and every other thing you need to know! Let’s dive in!

What Is a Pet Care App?

From the time you make a vet visit to the time you book a dog walker to monitor your kitty’s finicky eating habits – the pet care app is a go-to solution for every pet parent looking to give the best life possible to their furry friends.   

Think of it as a digital assistant for the busy pet owner who needs convenience without sacrificing an ounce of care. Whether it’s vaccination reminders, suggesting the nearest groomer, or tracking health markers, these applications make life both for humans and their four-legged family members better. 

For a one-liner- It’s just pet care but smarter, faster, and altogether more organized, even if the pet isn’t.

Who Is The Target User?

A self-care pet app isn’t only useful for people with pets. Here’s who would itch for an app like this:

• Pet Owners: The busy professionals or the owner of multiple pets
• Vets: A portal to manage appointments, prescriptions, and client records
• Pet Service Providers: Groomers, sitters, walkers, and trainers all want to connect with clients.

Examples of the apps that are already making the waves:

• Rover: The king of pet sitting and walking services. 
• 11Pets: A health tracking app meant for highly organized pet parents. 
• Chewy: The Amazon of pet supplies because who has time to visit a store anymore?

Why Invest in a Pet Care App?

There’s a reason why mobile app development companies in Austin and around the world are just going crazy over this niche, and the only reason is the promising boom in the pet tech market. Let’s talk numbers: 

• The pet care industry is projected to hit $241 billion by 2027. 
• Do you know who’s driving the real growth? It’s none other than the Millennials and Gen Zs, as about 67% of them in the  U.S. own a pet.
• Apps like Rover have raised over $300 million in funding, proving there are serious cash-making opportunities in this niche.

Benefits of Building a Pet Care App

• Untapped Market Potential: The demand is high, but the competition? Manageable.  
• Customer Convenience: Imagine being able to book a sitter, track a walk, and reorder dog food– all in one app.
• Community Building: An app can build a platform for pet parents to share tips, reviews, and cute photos of their pets.

Inspiring Success Stories 

• Wag!:  Transformed an easy concept, such as dog walking, into a multi-million-dollar company.
• PetDesk:  Combined health management and booking in one, and thus won over the hearts of pet clinics and owners. 

Types of Pet Care Apps

If you’re thinking, “Okay, I’m sold. But what type of self-care pet app should I create?” – here are your options:

Pet Sitting and Walking Apps

These apps connect pet parents with trusted sitters or walkers. Think of them as an Airbnb but for pets.

Features:

• Real-time GPS tracking.
• Verified sitter profiles.
• In-app payments.

Pet Health and Wellness Apps

For health-conscious pet parents, these apps track everything from vet visits to medication schedules. 

Features: 

• Vaccination and health history tracking.  
• Appointment booking with vets.  
• Weight and diet monitoring.  

Pet Training Apps  

Does your dog pull on the leash like it’s their job? These apps offer professional training tips and tricks that can help you train your pet into a better being. 

Features:

• Video tutorials. 
• Progress tracking. 
• Behavioral tips.  

Pet eCommerce Apps  

The pet shopping spree has now gone digital and is much bigger! Sell pet food, toys, and grooming supplies through an app.  

Features: 

• Product recommendations.  
• One-click reorders.  
• Subscription plans for essentials. 

All-in-One Pet Care Apps  

If you want to give people a wholesome solution to their everyday pet problems, you can build a super app that combines services, health tracking, and shopping all in one place.

Features:

• Multi-functionality. 
• In-depth user profiles. 
• Paid subscription features. 

Essential Features of a Pet Care App  

Developing an excellent pet care app requires more than just functionality – it needs features that are practical, engaging, and designed with pet parents in mind. 

Here’s a detailed look at the essential features your app should have to stand out in the competitive app market:

• Friendly Interface

A smooth and intuitive interface is a must. In emergencies, pet owners don’t have time to struggle with a clunky design. A user-friendly interface ensures quick navigation, making it easier for users to find the services they need – you know, happy users are equal to loyal users, right?

• User Profiles for Pets and Owners

Pet parents love showing off their fur babies, and customizable profiles make it possible. Add sections for uploading pictures, tracking vaccination records, and listing quirky details like “Favorite toy” or “Weirdest habit.” These personal touches foster user engagement and give the app a friendly, relatable vibe.

• GPS Tracking and Geolocation

Real-time GPS tracking will ensure pet parents always know where their pets are—whether they’re on a walk or heading to a vet. This feature is particularly crucial for services like dog walking or pet sitting. Plus, studies show apps with GPS features experience 70% higher user retention rates.

• Telehealth and Video Consultations

Telehealth and video consultations can save the stressful car rides to the vet. This feature connects pet parents with veterinarians for check-ups or advice through remote check-ups, making healthcare far more accessible and convenient for pets and owners alike.

• Payment and subscriptions within the app

Offer seamless, secure payment options directly within the app. From paying for grooming services to booking a sitter, in-app payments provide convenience for users and ensure hassle-free transactions. Add subscription plans to unlock premium features and boost app revenue.

• Push Notifications

Never forget another vaccination date or flea treatment again! Push notifications let pet parents know about upcoming appointments, important reminders, and even discounts on pet products. 

Adding some humor or personality to the alerts, such as “Your dog bribed us to remind you about their vet visit,” keeps things light and lively.

• Activity Log and Pet Tracker

Treating pets like Olympians? Track their daily activities with an integrated activity log. This tracks steps, meals, sleep patterns, and more. This is perfect for health-conscious pet parents who want their fur babies in top shape.

• Reviews and Ratings

Transparency breeds trust! Allow the users to rate and review pet sitters, groomers, or even dog-friendly cafes. For instance, Rover is successful because of the detailed review. It allows for pet parents to have confidence in their choices.

• Multi-language and Multi-Currency Support

If you’re planning a global launch, make your app accessible to a wider audience. Multi-language support allows users to navigate the app comfortably in their native language, while multi-currency options simplify transactions for international users. This feature significantly expands your app’s reach and usability.

Too much to absorb? Here’s a simplified table for your help!

How to Monetize a Pet Care App?

Making a self-care pet app is a great thing, but let’s talk about money. To monetize an app means generating consistent cash inflows while making sure the user base is satisfied.  

Here’s how you can earn from your pet care app:  

Commission on Services  

Take a cut from pet sitters, walkers, or trainers using your platform. For instance, you could charge 15% of every booking made through the app.  

Why it works:

• It’s low-risk for the app owner while still giving service providers a platform to earn. 

Advertisements 

Partner with pet brands to showcase ads for toys, food, and grooming supplies. 

Pro tip: 

• Make the ads relevant to the user. If a user recently searched for “dog leashes,” then show ads related to leashes.

eCommerce Sales

Expand your app into the eCommerce space by selling pet products directly.

Example: 

• The Chewy app is quite a hit due to the streamlined shopping experience provided for busy pet parents. 

Subscription Plans

Develop a freemium model where most features are free of charge, but some premium ones are paid, such as telehealth or videos of training sessions.

For example, PetDesk offers premium plans for additional features like unlimited reminders and advanced scheduling tools. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Build a Pet Care App

Now that you know almost everything about pet care apps, we think you must be ready to dig into development. 

Here’s a step-by-step playbook for you:

Step 1: Define the Purpose of Your App and Your Target Audience

Start by researching the needs of pet owners. Are they looking for better health tracking? Or maybe they need help finding reliable pet sitters? Understanding this will guide every decision you make.  

Pro tip: Use surveys and focus groups to validate your app idea. 

Step 2: Create a Feature List and Roadmap

List the features you want in your pet care app and prioritize them. To test the waters, start with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product).  

Step 3: Choose the Right Development Team  

Collaborate with a mobile app development company in Austin or another tech hub. Experienced developers can help you decide between native, hybrid, or web app development based on your goals.  

Step 4: Design and Prototype Your App  

Your app’s design is your first impression. Use wireframes and prototypes to refine the UX/UI before diving into coding.  

Pro tip: Make it pet-themed. Add paw icons, bright colors, and fun animations. 

Step 5: App Development and Testing

Build the app with your developers, but do not skip on the testing part. Bugs and glitches can tank your launch day – and this is the last thing you want, right?

Step 6: Launch and Market Your App

When the app is polished, launch it with a bang! Use digital marketing strategies like SEO, social media ads, and partnerships with influencers or even pet shelters.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Pet Care App?

The costs of developing an app for a pet care program depend on aspects such as app complexity, the quality of its design, and location. For instance, a minimal app with little features would go for $15,000 – $30,000. 

A middle-range app with higher features like tracking through GPS, telehealth, and in-app purchases would go from $30,000 to $80,000. For complex functionalities with global access and premium design, the costs surpass $80,000.

Other expenses include maintenance that would run approximately 15-20% of the development cost every year, as well as marketing efforts to attract users. 

Saying that, with the help of an experienced mobile app development company in Austin, you can ensure smooth development and manage costs efficiently.

Here’s a summarized cost breakdown for you:

How Tekrevol Can Help You Build The Perfect Pet Care App?

Building a pet care app can be like herding cats – complicated and overwhelming. That’s where Tekrevol comes in. 

As one of the leading mobile app development companies in Austin, we specialize in creating apps that don’t just work for you but leave an impression that you haven’t witnessed before. 

Whether you need GPS tracking, telehealth integration, or personalized pet profiles, we have the expertise to make it happen. Our team of innovative designers combined with cutting-edge technology will help build apps that pet parents love (and pets would if they could). 

So, let’s turn your app idea into a tail-wagging success. Tekrevol is here to make the process smooth, stress-free, and maybe even “Paw-sitively” amazing, right? Let’s get started today!