Buying guide for best pet trackers
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Your dog or cat is part of the family, and it’s hard to imagine a worse feeling than being unable to find Rover or Fluffy. If your puppy or kitten is an accomplished escape artist, and you’re worried about the safety of your furry friend, it might be time to clip a pet tracker to his collar.
There are many different pet trackers from multiple brands, and each one has model-specific features that you may or may not need. Are you willing to pay a monthly subscription fee for extremely accurate GPS tracking? Do you really need to monitor how much sleep your cat gets every day when what you need is a way to find her when she hides? Which pet tracker is the best option if your dog is lost in your neighborhood?
It’s ultimately up to you to decide which pet tracker is best for your situation, but we can help. We’ve tested a number of solid devices, and our shopping guide provides some tips on exactly what to look for in a pet tracker.
Key considerations
Tracking range
Anyone considering buying a pet tracker should carefully consider the maximum tracking range of each device, and how factors such as environmental conditions and cellular or WiFi coverage may affect the search for your pet. Some trackers utilize a combination of WiFi, GPS, and GSM technologies to locate a missing pet within ten meters of its location, while others rely on a handheld remote for locating lost pets within two miles of the device.
Subscription fee
If you’re afraid that your cat or dog might roam far from home, you’ll want a pet tracker with precision GPS or cellular tracking technology. However, many pet trackers offer this premium service for a monthly subscription fee of $5 to $10, depending on the brand. Although a pet tracking subscription will certainly add up over time, it’s difficult to put a price tag on the ability to effortlessly pinpoint the exact location of a lost or stolen pet with the aid of your smartphone.
Battery life
If you’re considering a device that uses cellular data or GPS technology to track your pet, be prepared to recharge the pet tracker’s battery for a few hours each week or you’ve wasted your money on a high-tech piece of doggie bling. Note that devices that incorporate a handheld tracker for close-range pet tracking usually have far better battery life, some lasting as long as six weeks between charges.
Pet tracker features
No two pet trackers will have exactly the same features, tracking coverage, and pet monitoring options, and it’s up to you to compare and contrast models to find the one that is best for your dog or cat. Here are a few key features to look for:
Waterproof design: Every manufacturer should note that its pet tracker is waterproof because if the device can’t survive a little mud, rain, or moisture, it isn’t very useful.
Durability: Choose a tracker that can stand up to your fur baby’s wild adventures.
GPS and cellular technology: Although many pet trackers need to be set up in a “safe” or “home” location via local WiFi, advanced devices use GPS and cellular signals to monitor your pet’s location. While it’s clearly the superior method for locating a missing pet, this feature is often linked to a subscription fee.
Companion app: Plenty of pet trackers sport a companion app so that concerned pet owners can easily keep tabs on their animals with a glance at their smartphone. Make sure that the companion app is compatible with your device before purchasing a pet tracker.
Pet tracker prices
Because there is such a wide selection of pet trackers out there, prices can range from around $20 on the low end to upwards of $250.
With that said, a device’s set of features and ability to clearly monitor your pet when it matters the most are far more important than the pet tracker’s ultimate price.
Helpful features such as cellular tracking, activity monitoring, long battery life, and user-friendly companion app may drive up the cost of a pet tracker, but if you’re already looking for one, it’s worth spending a little more to make sure that your cat or dog is covered by that extra layer of protection.
Tips
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Be sure to regularly charge the pet tracker. The battery life of devices that utilize GPS or cellular tracking usually varies from ten days to a week between charges. If you don’t keep it charged, it won’t be able to help reunite you with your beloved pet when you need it most.
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Opt for a pet tracker with a temperature alert. A temperature alert feature could save the life of your pet. An animal can die of heatstroke if left in a hot car for only 15 minutes!
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Microchip your pet. While buying a pet tracker will help to put your mind at ease, we highly recommend getting your pet microchipped by your veterinarian as well. This procedure will ensure that anyone who finds your pet can take it to a veterinarian or animal shelter and access your contact information.
- Check the connection limitations of the pet tracker. Some pet trackers won’t function outside of the United States, so be sure to research the connection limitations of each pet tracker if you intend to use it outside the country.
FAQ
Q. Will I have to pay a monthly subscription to use a pet tracker?
A. It depends on the brand. Although some pet trackers are fully functional without a subscription, others require a subscription fee up to about $10 per month.
Q. Will a pet tracker fit my pet’s collar?
A. Probably! Despite the many differences between models, pet trackers are designed to be small and lightweight and fit most collars and harnesses.
Q. Do I need a pet tracker that also monitors my pet’s daily activity?
A. No, but it’s a nice bonus for animal lovers. You probably have no idea what your puppy or kitten is up to when you leave home for the day, and keeping tabs on the average sleep patterns, calories burned, and distance traveled of your pet will give you some invaluable insight into your animal’s overall health.
