What would you do if your beloved dog or cat escaped? If you hadn’t taken preventative measures beforehand, they could be gone for good.
Fortunately, the current trend of wearable devices extends to pets too. We have smartwatches and fitness trackers for ourselves, but did you know that you can buy a GPS tracker for dogs or cats?
We’ve rounded up some of the best pet trackers and activity monitors (plus other smart pet gadgets) that you can benefit from, so let’s take a look.
The Best GPS Tracker for Dogs
Whistle 3
Whistle 3 GPS Pet Tracker & Activity Monitor
Whistle 3 GPS Pet Tracker & Activity Monitor
Buy Now At Amazon $79.95
If you’re looking for an all-in-one dog GPS and activity monitor (think Fitbit for dogs and cats), then it’s hard to top the Whistle 3.
The Whistle 3 simply attaches to your pet’s existing collar, meaning you don’t need a dedicated dog tracking collar. You’ll need a Wi-Fi connection for the initial setup, as well as to mark areas deemed “safe” for your pet.
The safe areas you set up with Whistle 3 are like invisible gates. If the tracker breaches these specified zones, you get a notification right away through push notification, email, or text.
Like most other trackers, Whistle 3 requires a monthly subscription plan. Whistle 3 uses cellular connectivity from AT&T to pinpoint your pet’s location anywhere in the United States, and it’s pretty accurate.
All your pet’s location data from the past 24 hours gets kept in the iOS and Android app. The app also lets you set up fitness and activity goals for your dog or cat, much like you would with a Fitbit or smartwatch. Doing so helps you know how they’re doing at maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.
Whistle 3 has maintained a 4.5 star rating on Amazon with over 3,400 customer reviews.
The Best GPS Collar for Dogs
SportDOG Brand Tek Series
SportDOG Brand TEK Series 2.0 GPS Tracking System – 10 Mile Range – Waterproof and Rechargeable – Expandable to Locate up to 21 Dogs – Unlimited, Lifetime Map Updates
SportDOG Brand TEK Series 2.0 GPS Tracking System – 10 Mile Range – Waterproof and Rechargeable – Expandable to Locate up to 21 Dogs – Unlimited, Lifetime Map Updates
Buy Now At Amazon $599.90
For those who like to have outdoor adventures with their pup and don’t mind a splurge, the SportDOG collar could be a great fit.
What sets the SportDOG Brand Tek Series collar apart from other dog GPS trackers is that it doesn’t require a subscription. So while the initial price tag seems much steeper than other options, you don’t have to worry about those fees adding up.
The SportDOG has additional “Add-a-Collars,” allowing you to add up to 21 dogs on one system. Users see each dog’s location on the separate handheld map device, along with other useful data. This includes like traveling speed, distance traveled, and where they are in relation to other dogs.
The device offers a 10-mile range with the SportDOG collars and handheld unit. And since there’s no cellular data to worry about, SportDOG is a great option for those who take their dogs on adventures in the mountains and other areas with poor cell coverage.
To top it off, SportDOG collars and handheld devices are fully waterproof, so durability should be no issue. It takes four hours to fully charge a collar that lasts 24 hours, and eight hours for the handheld that lasts 12 hours.
While SportDOG is quite pricey, the handful of reviews on Amazon give it a solid 4-star rating.
The Best Tracker ID for Pets
Paw Prints ID QR Smart GPS Pet Collar
Paw Prints ID QR Smart GPS Pet Collar Rescue and Recovery ID Dog Tag
Paw Prints ID QR Smart GPS Pet Collar Rescue and Recovery ID Dog Tag
Buy Now At Amazon $35.00
If want a GPS tracker on your pet in case of spontaneous escapes, you should consider the Paw Prints ID tag. It’s a particularly good choice as a cat tracker for indoor animals.
You simply clip this to your pet’s existing collar like any other tag. Each one comes with a unique QR code and ID number exclusive to you, so it’s impossible to confuse it with someone else’s pet.
The Paw Prints ID QR Smart GPS Pet Collar allows you to set up a web page for your pet. This holds important info like name, breed, owner contact info, vet info, and medical records. Additionally, you can upload a photo of your pet to the page.
Should anyone find your lost pup or cat, they can scan the QR code on the tag. Doing this alerts the owners by sending a text message within 30 seconds of the scan. The rescuer also gets a lot of information about your pet. On top of this, if the person who scanned the tag has a GPS-enabled phone, you’ll get a map of your pet’s exact location.
The best part about the Paw Prints ID tag is that there are no activation fees, monthly subscriptions, or upgrade charges. It’s also reasonably priced, so you can get peace of mind without breaking the bank.
The Best Dog Tracker With GPS and Wi-Fi
Pod 3
Pod 3 – GPS Pet Tracker and Activity Monitor
Pod 3 – GPS Pet Tracker and Activity Monitor
Buy Now At Amazon $89.00
If you’re looking for a high-tech dog tracker that’s small, discreet, and doesn’t get in the way of your pet’s comfort or movement, then Pod 3 is the way to go.
With the small and lightweight Pod 3, you’re able to keep track of your furry friend’s location and health at the same time. The Pod tracker utilizes a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular to accurately find your pet, no matter where they are. You can even set up “safe zones” and get immediate alerts once the pet has left the area.
Pod 3 works worldwide. With coverage in over 175 countries, it’s safe to say that you’ll always know where your pet is, even if you travel.
The activity tracking works like Fitbit and Apple Health. You’ll see details like heart rate, play and rest time, and more. The Pod 3 is even capable of recording your pet’s adventures, so you can see your dog’s run through the park or the cat’s nightly prowl.
Pod 3 comes with a reusable strap and is completely waterproof, so you don’t need to worry if your cat or dog takes a swim with it on. It even has interchangeable batteries, so you can track your pet even while a battery charges.
Since Pod 3 uses cellular data to get your pet’s location, it requires a monthly service fee starting at $9 a month. At the time of writing, your purchase includes a limited-time special offer of a free lifetime subscription.
The Best GPS Trackers to Keep Your Pets Safe
We love our pets, which makes it scary when they escape from your home. Thus, purchasing a great GPS tracker for dogs or cats can help give you peace of mind. If you don’t like these options, you’ll find plenty more available.
For more ways to improve your pet’s life with technology, check out some cool tech toys to automate pet ownership.
Read the full article: The Best GPS Tracker for Dogs and Cats