Table of Contents
- GPS Tracker for Cats
- GPS Cat Trackers vs ID Tag vs Microchip
- How GPS Cat Trackers Differs From Radio Frequency and Bluetooth
- How GPS Tracker for Cats Work
- Our Top Picks of GPS Tracker for Cats
- What To Consider When Purchasing a GPS Tracker for Cats
- FAQs about GPS Tracker for Cats
- GPS Tracker for Cats Conclusion
Whether we want to keep our cats safe or just worry about them wandering off, a GPS tracker for cats will ease our minds no matter where they are.
As parents of adorable pets, we can attest that not only dogs escape the yard but also our feline companions. They may not be as adventurous as our pooch, but they sure do come and go.
Millions of cats get lost every year, ending up in shelters. Those who don’t find their way home become part of the community cat colonies supported by ASPCA and other local shelters.
Cats sneak out as they please and as owners, we just hope that they get home safely. We want to become the best pet parent possible as we wish for what is best for them.
Although most cats stay indoors, we cannot guarantee that they won’t vanish when the door is left open. So, we use ID tags, microchips, and GPS cat trackers as precautions.
GPS Tracker for Cats
Cat tracking devices use the Global Positioning System (GPS) to navigate using satellites. In the same way that you trace a shipment through FedEx, you can use your phone to see your kitty — his location and course of direction.
Keeping an eye on his every move has never been this easy because this technology allows you to see everywhere in real-time. It helped pet parents find their wandering and hiding cats.
Microchipping and ID tagging may be efficient, but it won’t hurt to take an extra step to keep your cat as safe as possible. A pet locator attached to the collar adds security to your sneaky cat to keep him safe and sound.
GPS Cat Trackers vs ID Tag vs Microchip
Most cats hide, making them difficult to catch or find.
Even the most responsible owners lose track of their pets. Indoor cats can become very frightened of the great outdoors and may not be able to get back home.
For that very reason, cat trackers are made to help find lost cats — to improve the odds of reuniting them with their families.
There are specific things to do to help you build up a picture of what your kitty has been up to all day. And fortunately, there are plenty of helpful device to keep track your cat's location and condition.
ID Tags
Aside from the pet’s name, they include the owner’s name, address, and phone number. People will know how to reach you with this contact information in case your cat goes to the neighborhood.
They start at $5, so it’s a low-cost investment that could save you days of cat-hunting.
However, tags destroy easily. They tend to fall off and expose your personal information to everyone.
Microchips
Relatively inexpensive, microchips are the size of a grain implanted under the cat’s skin. They serve as a permanent identification system in a comprehensive database.
Once your kitty has a chip, nearly all animal shelters and veterinary clinics across the country can scan it for your contact information.
Nevertheless, if your address and phone number are not up to date, then it will not be an effective way to reunite you with your lost pet.
Cat GPS Trackers
Pet trackers come in handy in handling your kitty. These devices ensure that you can keep tabs on him when he’s out of sight.
It is an advanced way of tracking him in real-time because the GPS pet tracker has hardware for navigation. You will be certain that he is never lost.
A tracking device allows you to locate any objects, in this case, your runaway cat.
How GPS Cat Trackers Differs From Radio Frequency and Bluetooth
Satellite-based devices work best in areas with good phone and internet reception. Most GPS for pets are accessories to be attached to your cat’s existing collar.
They rely on satellite transmissions and might be unreliable whenever you walk into a grove of trees or get a heavy cloud cover.
Radio Frequency Cat Trackers
These devices feature a radio transmitter attached to your cat and a receiver that you carry. They use radio frequency to send and receive information to track location — usually within a radius of 130 meters.
Bluetooth Cat Trackers
Although cheap and lightweight, they are the weakest option available. They use Bluetooth to connect to your phone hence letting you locate within a limited range — usually 30 – 40 meters only.
The downside for both Radio Frequency and Bluetooth trackers is that they won’t alert you if your cat goes missing. However, pet trackers tend to be larger and heavier which may be uncomfortable for some cats.
Radio Frequency and Bluetooth trackers are often used for cats because they come in small sizes with no subscription fee but are accurate within a short distance only.
How GPS Tracker for Cats Work
Out of all the products on the market, cat GPS trackers have the largest range as they interact with a network of space satellites. They can detect real-time whenever your fluffy friend goes missing.
This service often requires a subscription plan so that you can follow your cat’s path through the company’s website or app. Aside from the real-time GPS location, additional features are useful as well.
User-friendly Mobile Application
Whether you are an Apple or Android user, you can download the app on your smartphone. This gives you the convenience to monitor your cat’s movement at the touch of your fingertips, relieving you of your anxiety.
Virtual Fence
Most services let you set a virtual barrier where your cat can be. It could be your backyard or garden, as well as grounds or territories he is not meant to enter.
Whenever your cat goes beyond the virtual fence, the tracker will alert you with a notification as well as send an alarm to the cat.
Notification Service
Get alerts when he wanders too far. Should he cross the area or set foot on a busy road, the tracking service will notify you immediately.
Activity Monitoring and Motion History
You can check on what and where your cat has been. Know how much time he spends going on an adventure or how long he naps.
Our Top Picks of GPS Tracker for Cats
We understand that you want to make sure you can bring your feline companion back home ASAP. However, it may be overwhelming to figure out which brand to trust.
There is a variety of tracking devices for cats that can help you track down your pet much sooner using an app on your smartphone. However, some of them are a bit costly.
We’ve compiled our top picks for pet trackers guaranteed to be effective and give you the peace of mind that you deserve. Check them out below to make the right choice for your cat.
Tractive GPS Tracker for Cats (Best Seller!)
- Price: $49.99 + Subscription
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Where it Works: Worldwide
- Battery Life: 5-7 days
- Weight: 1.2 oz (35g)
- 1-Year Warranty
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Specifically designed for cats, it is curved for comfort and risk-free if your cat gets entangled. Sleep tracking is part of activity monitoring to keep track of your cat’s well-being.
100% waterproof and shock-resistant, rainy days shouldn’t be a problem as he goes on adventures. The LED light and sound features make your cat easy to spot at night.
You can set up a safe zone as well as a no-go zone to get alerts if your cat gets too close to trouble. Go into Find Mode to pinpoint his location in close range.
Whenever you want actual tracking, you can go into Live Mode to get location updates every 2-3 seconds. That way, you can follow your pet’s every step in real-time on your phone.
Jiobit Smart Tag
- Price: $129.99 + Subscription
- Where to Buy: Chewy
- Where it Works: United States only
- Battery Life: 7-10 days
- Weight: 0.64 oz (18g)
- 1-Year Warranty
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
It is an innovative monitor with reliable performance and sound indicators to deliver real-time location. Receive notifications the instant your pet moves outside the geofenced area.
This tracker for cats is water-resistant and can withstand even the most active daily motions. Tiny and lightweight, its location history is up to 7 days.
It provides accurate tracking in Live Mode that reports every 10 seconds. Not only will you know where your cat is but also who he is with by adding Care Team members on the app.
FitBark GPS (2nd Generation)
- Price: $69.95 + Subscription
- Where to Buy: FitBark Store
- Where it Works: United States only — for now, but they are looking at ways to expand coverage to more countries in the future
- Battery Life: 10-20 days
- Weight: 0.56 oz (16g)
- 1-Year Warranty
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Although intended for dogs, the FitBark device is so small and lightweight that it won’t bother dogs or cats of any size.
Like many cat trackers, it is waterproof and gives alerts upon entry and exit of your cat in the designated safe place. The 24/7 activity and sleep monitoring give you a whole day’s view of your pet’s location and destination.
It notifies of any changes in the behavior and gives a weekly health report. Track your pet in real-time and receive 1-minute updates until reunited with your kitty.
PetFon Pet GPS Tracker
- Price: $239.99
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Where it Works: Worldwide
- Battery Life: 8-16 hours
- Weight: 0.97 oz (27.6g)
- 1-Year Warranty
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Another product supposedly for dogs, the PetFon GPS tracker is free of any service fee. This rainproof device is small and durable which is suitable for cats.
It has LED lights to locate your pet easily during nighttime. Record and store voice commands on the tracker to communicate with him remotely.
You can set the security range and get fast alerts when your kitty leaves the fence.
Weenect Cats 2
- Price: €49.99 + Subscription
- Where to Buy: Weenect Store
- Where it Works: SIM cards are multi-network. See the complete list of countries covered
- Battery Life: 3 days
- Weight: 0.882 oz (25g)
- 2-Year Warranty
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Location tracking in real-time, it can follow your cat with no distance limit. It comes in a silicone case for waterproof protection.
Not only does it track but also trains your kitty. You can make the device ring or vibrate as a sign to your cat to go home or if it’s meal time.
Also, you can call your cat through the telephone feature. Ring the collar to drive out your buddy from hiding.
It has a territory analysis as it finds out where your pet spends most of his time. View the location on different modes: map, compass, or radar.
What To Consider When Purchasing a GPS Tracker for Cats
Reliability and Accuracy
First, check for reviews if the device is efficient and effective. This includes real-time tracking and the ability to create safe zones.
Location updates need to be precise to know where your cat hides and wanders off. As a result, you will know which direction to go to find him.
Price
Find one that fits your budget both upfront and over time since you have to pay monthly subscription fees. You surely don’t want to overspend unnecessarily.
Size
Lightweight is best because it is comfortable on your cat’s neck. Also, you need to know if the GPS pet tracker has a cat-friendly design.
Battery Life
The battery strength determines how efficiently the tracker works and provides information. Choose a cat tracker that has minimal battery consumption to get the most out of its function.
Durability
Lastly, make sure the cat tracking device is waterproof and can withstand your beloved pet’s adventures. It also pays to choose pet trackers that are resistant to scratching and chewing.
FAQs about GPS Tracker for Cats
Are microchips effective for your cat?
No, because microchips are too small to use the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. They are used for authentication only, hence not for navigation.
What is the smallest cat tracker?
Loc8tor Tabcat Cat Handheld Finder is the smallest tracker for cats, weighing only 5 grams. However, it uses radio frequency as a pet locator, not GPS.
Can microchipped cats be tracked?
It doesn't provide the real-time location of your missing pet.
Microchips are helpful if someone brings your cat to the vet or shelter. Afterward, they will scan the chip to know your contact information for them to reach you.
GPS Tracker for Cats Conclusion
Cats are independent, living their own lives secretly. Even though we are not busy, they still manage to slip away.
GPS cat trackers are the quickest access we have to know their whereabouts. These tracking devices for cats will give us a glimpse of what they do when we are not looking.
GPS for pets is a tracking device attached to our cats. It can follow their movement and display the location on a map that we can view online or through our smartphones.
We can set up virtual boundaries and receive location updates by creating a “safe zone” for such as our house.
If they go outside the premises, the cat GPS tracker sends signals and we will receive a text or email. We can set up these notifications to receive alerts if our pet leaves a designated area and track him from miles away.
With these features of a GPS tracker for cats, who wouldn’t have peace of mind even though they meow outside?
