Bluetooth pet tracking, a pointless technology

Bluetooth pet tracking might seem like a ray of hope for pet owners. The allure of instant notifications and easy setup can be tempting. But let’s scratch beneath the surface. The inherent limitations of Bluetooth technology make it a less-than-ideal choice for pet tracking.

Bluetooth’s range is notably short, typically up to 300 feet under optimal conditions. But with walls, trees, and other obstacles, this range can be drastically reduced. So, unless you’re in the immediate vicinity of your lost pet, tracking becomes almost impossible. And even then, there’s the hassle of Bluetooth pairing, which can be temperamental at best.

Additionally, Bluetooth trackers bank heavily on the idea of a communal network—relying on a vast number of users having the same app. In reality, with the myriad of apps available today, achieving such widespread adoption is a tall order.

Lastly, the dependence on external power sources, such as batteries, further complicates matters. The need for regular charging or battery replacements can render the tracker useless just when you need it the most.

In a world that’s becoming increasingly tech-centric, it’s crucial to understand that not all technological solutions are created equal. When the stakes are as high as the safety of a beloved pet, one must ask if Bluetooth pet tracking is more of a gimmick than a genuine solution.

Explore the latest in pet tracking technology, from Bluetooth solutions to GPS chips, in our tech-focused articles.

Tracking Dog Harnesses

The tracking dog harness is another solution emerging among the myriad of options for tracking pets. These are specially designed harnesses that come embedded with tracking devices. Unlike collar-attached trackers, which can sometimes get snagged or fall off, harnesses generally offer a more secure and stable fit, especially for active or larger breeds.

The tracking dog harness provides dual functionality. Not only does it act as a regular harness for walks, but it also serves as a reliable tracking tool. Given its positioning around the dog’s body, it often houses a larger battery, resulting in longer device life between charges. However, as with any technology, it’s essential to research and choose a tracking harness that’s both comfortable for your pet and offers accurate, real-time tracking capabilities. While not as prevalent in the market as other tracking solutions, these harnesses might soon pave the way for combining pet safety with comfort.

Can Bluetooth be used for tracking? 

The fear of a pet wandering outside and being taken to a shelter before even knowing about it is a pet owners nightmare. A company called Pawscout has developed a pet tag that will alert you via mobile app if that happens. Unlike GPS tags that will show your pet’s location on a map from anywhere, the secret sauce to the “smart tag app” uses Bluetooth technology to track your pet and  utilizes the community as a resource, as well. According to yahoo, as soon as your pet goes missing, you can mark them as “lost.” Anyone with the Pawscout app on their phone who passes within 300 feet of a lost pet will get a notification with instructions on contacting the pet’s owner. 

This of course would be dependent on a critical mass of users that would all need to have the app installed on their phone for it to have any value.

The tag also allows pet owners to create a digital profile of their pet where they can upload pics of their pet, medical issues, vaccinations, behavioral issues and the like… or unlike. This feature is nothing other than a cloud-based folder.  

There is no integration with a pet portal or anything of the like, so there is no value. Pet owners would essentially just copy and paste medical records from some other source and then upload to a cloud folder as they can already do in Google Docs, Icloud, Dropbox or any other, other ubiquitous cloud storage options.

GPS or Bluetooth Trackers -The Drawbacks

It doesn’t look like pet’s really enjoy it.

• bluetooth has a short range and is a hassle to pair
• relies on external power
• dependent on a critical mass of users that will need to have the app for it to have any value

This will more than likely just get lost in a sea of all the other millions of  apps out there that nobody uses.