A scare from fireworks or a window accidentally left open – there’s plenty of ways our beloved pets can go missing from our homes.
Studies show that one in every three pets in America will get lost at least once in its lifetime. Of all the lost pets that turn up at shelters, only about 22 percent of lost dogs are reunited with their families. That number is even lower for cats, at less than 2 percent.
Thankfully, emerging technology has made it possible to keep tabs on our beloved pets. With microchips, a small device inserted under the pet’s skin that contains an owners’ information, missing pets find their way home at a much higher rate. For cats, the rate is dramatically higher, at 38%, and 52% of microchipped dogs are reunited with their owners.
Now, owners also have the option of tracking their pet in real time with GPS technology. These pet tracking devices are a helpful aid when finding a lost pet (especially for those escape artists who love to bolt out the door or wander a little too far on a hike). With so many options on the market, it might be hard to suss out which type of tracker to choose.
How Can I Track My Pet?
While pet trackers come in all shapes and size, there are two basic types of trackers:
- GPS Location
- Radio Frequency
Both have distinct advantages, as well as clear disadvantages when it comes to range, precision, and battery life.
GPS Pet Trackers
GPS trackers for pets are a relatively newer product but one welcomed by pet owners. The cutting-edge technology allows you to find your pet’s exact location in real time, anywhere in the world.
The recorded location data is stored within the tracking unit itself or is transmitted via a cellular connection to your smartphone (so long as the phone has GPS capability).
You can also track the history of your pet’s movements throughout the day or night for health and activity purposes. Many providers offer nationwide coverage as well.
Equipment
Most pet trackers physically attach to a collar, while some come pre-attached to one. Ideally, the best kind of tracker is one that will stay put – no matter what mischief your furry friends gets into.
Customizable Safe Zones
Some GPS Trackers will give you an alert when your pet has left the pre-designated “safe zone” that you customize during setup. The tracker will send you an alert via the pet tracker app, text, email, or phone notification when your dog or cat has left the designated safe zone.
Battery Life
This may be the most important feature of GPS pet trackers. If a tracker’s battery dies and your pet gets lost then the tracker is, in essence, non-functional. How often the tracker refreshes its GPS location and the quality of its cellular connection will determine how timely (and useful) the device will be.
However, the more often your tracker refreshes its location, the more its battery life takes a hit. Some trackers allow you to set up the refresh frequency rate. For instance, if your pet spends its time indoors on certain days then you don’t need the location to update as frequently as when your pet is outside.
Size
In the case of GPS pet trackers, size does matter. Most units are on the larger side, due to their battery, and work best with larger dog breeds. There are smaller units that can fit on smaller dogs and cats; however, most of these units have a shorter battery life.
Price
Prices range from $200 - $1,000. Units that have the most features tend to be on the higher end. Additionally, some units require a monthly or annual subscription which can vary in price.
Other Features
Some GPS pet trackers come with additional features that you may find helpful. Some of the more common ones are extended battery life, sleep modes, waterproof devices, temperature tracking, and daily activity logs.
Radio Frequency Pet Trackers
Radio pet trackers use radio frequency for transmission. It’s a kind of tried-and-true technology that’s been around for decades (think: walkie-talkies).
These trackers are much simpler devices to set up and use, especially if you are not familiar with newer technology such as smartphones and apps.
The device does not provide your pet’s precise location, but rather the direction in which your pet is going. Radio trackers have limited ranges, but once the unit is charged it can last for months without recharging, mostly because it is not collecting large amounts of data as a GPS pet tracker does. Typically, more expensive units will have a larger range.
Range
Unlike GPS pet trackers, radio frequency pet trackers come with different available ranges based on the unit’s price. Radio frequency pet trackers are excellent in areas where cellular coverage is spotty or poor.
Equipment
There is typically a base station that can be either a handheld unit or tabletop, a charger, and tags. The actual tag is attached to a dog or cat collar. Some units allow for the monitoring of multiple pets when you purchase an additional tag.
Battery Life
Frequently, there are two: one in the base and one in the tag. The base can be recharged and last for months. The tag battery typically lasts up to six months.
Size
Radio frequency pet trackers come in different sizes and can accommodate smaller dogs and cats more readily than GPS pet trackers.
Price
Prices range from $30 to $235. There is no monthly subscription cost associated with these types of pet trackers.
Other Features
Radio frequency pet trackers, like their GPS counterpart, can sometimes come with additional perks. Some features pet owners might be interested in checking out devices that are waterproof, have handheld based that are great for hiking and offer range mobility, multiple tags for multi-pet households, and devices that are sans monthly subscriptions.
Differences between GPS and radio pet trackers
GPS pet tracking devices have several pros. For starters, unlike radio frequency devices, GPS trackers can provide an exact location.
They also typically offer customizable safe zones, are smartphone-enabled and can actively track a pet in real time.
However, GPS pet trackers are largely dependent on cellular service coverage – which can be tricky if the pet owner lives in a rural area or one with spotty cellular coverage. Plus, the battery of the device doesn’t last nearly as long as a radio device and often require a monthly or annual subscription.
Radio frequency pet tracking devices often require no subscription and are easy to set up and use. Whereas GPS trackers tend to work best on big dogs, radio frequency devices work on all size pets. However, their location is, again, imprecise, and there still is limited range capabilities as well as tracking.
When shopping for a pet tracker, it’s important to keep in mind where you live and what cellular service is available in your area before choosing between these two types of trackers.
Does my pet still need a microchip?
Pet trackers are in no way shape or form meant to replace a microchip. In fact, we always recommend pet owners have a microchip inserted into their pet as the two devices can complement each other.
If your pet is lost for several days, and the battery dies on the tracking device, the microchip may be the only identifying information your pet has.
If your pet is lost, the chip provides not only the pet owner’s contact information but also your pet’s medical conditions and vaccinations. Plus, microchips are usually low-cost, as most veterinarians only charge around $50 to insert a microchip under your pet’s skin.
We love our pets too and want to keep them safe. We believe pet trackers along with microchip insertion are great ways to find your dog or cat if it goes missing. We strongly recommend GPS pet trackers based on the real-time exact location tracking and monitoring they provide customers.
Our Top Pet Trackers
There are many pet trackers brands available in the market today. We’ve rounded up and reviewed a few of our best-rated devices:
GPS Pet Trackers
Whistle 3 GPS Pet Tracker & Activity Monitor
- $ 99.95
- Whistle 3 offers Nationwide tracking (through AT&T), is waterproof, shock resistant, and long battery life.
Findster Duo+ Pet Tracker
- $ 149.99
- With no monthly fees, this device also has a long battery life – up to three days – with an activity tracker, as well as a locator.
SportDOG Brand TEK 2.0 GPS Tracking System
- $604.95
- This device has a range up to 10 miles, is waterproof, and is Bluetooth compatible. Plus: the device is rechargeable and lasts for about a day per charge. No subscription required.
Radio Frequency Pet Trackers
Eureka Technology Marco Polo Advance Pet Tracking System
- $ 234.95
- This self-contained unit is great for travel. Waterproof and crush resistant, this device also boasts a long battery life.
Girafus Cat Tracker RF Finder
- $ 64.99
- Because cats can get into tricky spaces (making them more difficult to track down, particularly with GPS devices) Girafus can come in handy. With up to 1,6000 ft. of range and no monthly fee, the battery on this device can last up to 30 days. Plus, the device allows for up to four pets.
If you are looking to protect your pet, a tracking device is a great idea. If you are looking for overall health protection for your pet, check out our top list of pet insurance providers to help you cover the expense of pet wellness along with any injury that could happen to your pet.