Best Cat GPS Trackers in 2020
Pet GPS trackers are a great way to keep track of your pet, and there are more coming out on the market nowadays. Cats can be escape artists and slip out of their harnesses if they get spooked while outside. They can also be sneaky and hide in hard to find places inside your home. And while we do promote walking your cat on a harness and leash if going outside, of course accidents happen and your cat may slip out the door unexpectedly. With a pet GPS tracker, you can track your pets location and be able to find them quickly.
There are many different types of pet trackers that range from using GPS, radio frequencies and Bluetooth. Typically, these are small enough to attach to your pets collar and then use an app on your phone to track their location.
GPS Trackers for Pets
GPS trackers are one of the best types of trackers, but they usually come with additional costs, such as a monthly subscription fee. These typically have the best range and are the most accurate, making them great for pet owners whose pet travels over long distances. To use a GPS tracker, you will need to have cellular/mobile reception. The battery on these trackers typically last about a week before needing to be recharged.
Radio Frequency Trackers for Pets
Radio frequency trackers emit a frequency to send and receive messages between the tracker and the handheld device. These are also very accurate, as they use the strength of the transmissions to determine distance and direction, however they do not reach as long of a range as GPS track. Unlike the GPS trackers, these do not have any ongoing costs with subscription memberships.
Bluetooth Trackers for Pets
A Bluetooth tracker attaches to your pet’s collar and uses Bluetooth/Wifi connection to transmit data back and forth. These are typically the cheapest option, but if your pet is out of range, the connection can be lost. These are perfect for pets that stay in limited spaces, such as inside your home if they do not go out of their yards.
Is a Tracker Right for You
Trackers can give you a peace of mind should your pet get out. Sometimes there can be a misconception that a microchip will help you find your lost pet. Even though your pet may have a microchip, these only work if your pet is found and taken to a vet or shelter and gets scanned for the number. These microchips provide the veterinarian with your contact information such as your phone number and name. We do recommend that all pets taken outside are microchipped, as they help those who find the pet get in contact with the owners. However, we want to point out that a microchip and tracker are not the same thing.
There are quite a few different options for trackers. We have included some options in the 3 different categories to help give you some ideas of what’s available on the market, and some key features of each. Hopefully, this can help you decide whether a tracker is right for you, and what category of tracker you think would be best suited for you and your cat’s lifestyle.
Whistle Go Explore – Tracker for Pets
The Whistle go Explore tracker uses real time location to track your pets whereabouts. You can set up designated safe areas, and with the help of AT&T and google maps, you can get alerts if your pet leaves these safe areas. It also comes with 24 hour tracking of your cat’s activity, which gives you an in-depth look at their day while you are not home. It also allows you to keep an eye on any behavioral changes with weekly wellness reports, tracking all things from licking, scratching, running, walking, playing and sleeping.
This tracker also gives nutritional recommendations based on the activity of your pet. You can set goals based on your pets breed, age, and weight. You can see calories burned, distanced travels and minutes active, which in turn can earn you and your pet in-app badges. We recommend that you consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet’s diet or feeding schedule based on what this app may tell you.
The battery life is good as well. It can last anywhere from 5 to 20 days before needing a charge depending on how active your pet is. The GPS tracker is also durable, lightweight and water resistant.
Key Features:
- Tracks activity time, distance, and calories burned
- Health monitoring and recommendations
- In-depth view of your cat’s past 24 hours
- Lightweight, rugged and waterproof
- Long battery life – rechargeable battery
TabCat Pet Tracking Cat Collar
The Tabcat Pet tracking collar is a good choice if you are not looking for a monthly subscription based tracking collar. This collar is lightweight and uses radio frequencies rather than GPS. The company claims that it can track down to within 1 inch of the locator. With a range of only about 400 feet, this is not for cats that may run far away if they get out, but more so for those that tend to get loose and hide somewhere nearby or to help you find your cat inside your home. The handheld device that comes with the collar uses audio and lights to let you know if you are getting closer or further away from your pet.
The Tabcat Pet tracking collar is durable and comes with a splash proof design, however it is not considered waterproof. It will stand up against rain, but not being submerged in water. The battery can last up to 6 months, but will need to be changed out, as it is not rechargeable.
Key Features:
- Lightweight
- No subscription fees
- Long battery Life – but not rechargeable
- Splash Proof – but not waterproof
- Uses audio and visual cues to help track down your pet
- Shorter range – better for indoor use or cats who stick close by
Tractive GPS Tracker
The Tractive tracker uses GPS tracking to locate your pet’s location and track their activity. It easily clips to your pets collar and can be used for cats and dogs. The light weight design is durable and waterproof. It does require a monthly subscription, and has an unlimited range. You can even track your pet if you are in another country! You can also set activity goals for your pet and track their activity, rest, and calories. They have a mobile app you can download on your phone and you can add multiple pets, as long as each one has their own tracker.
Key Features:
- Lightweight, durable, and waterproof
- Monthly subscription required
- Unlimited range
- Rechargeable battery with up to 7 day battery life
- Also tracks activity and calories
Tile GPS Trackers
The Tile Mate GPS tracker is not specifically made for cats, but it is a universal tracker that is budget friendly. This tracker is lightweight and can attach to your cat’s collar. You can download an app on your smartphone and through the app, you can track down the chip. Another feature is that anyone with the Tile App can help you track down your lost pet. You can even reverse the role and track your phone by double pressing the button on the Tile to make your phone ring, even if it’s on silent. This can be helpful if you drop your phone while out as well. The batteries are long lasting, but are not rechargeable, so need to be replaced when out. The range is only about 200 to 400 feet, so it is helpful when trying to find your cat in your house or if you know they are nearby, but not if they get out and wander off.
Key Features:
- Versatile Bluetooth Technology
- No subscription fees
- Other users can help find lost pet
- Easily attach to pets collar
- Battery is guaranteed for 1 year – but not rechargeable
- Shorter range – better for indoor use
Girafus Cat Tracker
The Girafus Cat Tracker uses radio frequencies instead of GPS and does not come with a monthly subscription cost. What is unique about this tag compared to other radio frequency trackers, is that the tracking range of the Girafus is 1600 feet. Most others are about 200 feet, so that is a big difference. The batteries are rechargeable and can last up to 30 days. The Tracker uses a direction indicator that shows you which way to search while LEDS and signal tones (which can be turned off) gives you approximate distances to the transmitter. It is also splash proof and lightweight.
Key Features:
- Impressive long range for radio Frequency tracker
- No monthly subscription
- Rechargeable battery
- LED and audio tones to help track
- Wider range than the typical radio frequency tracker
Jiobit Pet Tracker
The Jiobit is a tracking collar that uses a combination of cellular, GPS, Wifi and bluetooth to track and locate your pet’s location. It easily clips to your pets collar and can be used for cats and dogs. The light weight design is durable, water proof, and shock resistant. It does require a monthly subscription and has an unlimited range as long as cellular service is available. The Jiobit Pet Tracker allows you to geofence trusted areas, and will notify you if your pet leaves the area. So if you let them loose in your yard, you can mark that as the territory and get notified if they leave.
Key Features:
- Lightweight, durable, and waterproof
- Monthly subscription required
- Uses GPS, Cellular, Bluetooth and Wifi
- Unlimited range
- Set up safe spots
These are just a few options to help you get started in trying to find the right fit for you and your cat. Keep in mind that if you have it with you on hikes and your cat has the ability to slip out of the harness, you should have it attached to a collar (or vice versa). Obviously, if they get out of the harness and it is attached there, it will do you no good.
Pet trackers can be a great way to help you keep track of your cat, whether inside or out for a hike with them. They can be helpful if your cat tends to hide in hard to find places around your house. Whatever the reason you may want one for your cat, there is an option out there for you!
2 Comments
Teri and Her Adventuresome Cats
Our human is researching GPS trackers now so your post is very timely! Right now she is using a towel for Coco who is an escape artist at home but she knows it’s use is limited so it’s good to learn about all the different kinds and options
tailsofnoodle
Yay that is so great to hear that this was good timing! We hope you find the right fit for you and Coco!