Best Cat GPS Tracker
We’ve all seen enough missing cat posters to be concerned at the prospect of our own pet running away or getting lost. Cats, in particular, have a reputation for going on adventures or moving into a neighbor’s house for weeks at a time. Cats sometimes go missing after moving to a new neighborhood, meaning they might not be able to find their way home.
Whilst outdoor cats have a greater chance of going missing, indoor cats are not totally excluded from those missing pet posters. Indoor cats might escape through a forgotten open window or slip through the front door. If this happens, it can be distressing to think of your cat being lost, especially if they are not familiar with the outdoors.
Although electronic micro-chipping is becoming more commonplace, this only helps reunite you if your cat is brought to a vet and scanned. The usual options for finding your cat are pretty rudimentary- you can search the streets, put up posters, and knock on neighbors’ doors to see whether there have been any sightings. These are time-consuming and potentially ineffective ways of searching for your cat.
To guard yourself against your cat going missing and having to frantically search the streets, it is worth investing in a GPS tracker. A tracker allows you to pinpoint exactly where your cat is, saving you time and effort if your cat does run away.
There are many different trackers on the market now with a variety of different technologies and features, depending on your needs. When choosing a tracker, you’ll need to consider what suits you and your pet.
Cats don’t like to have their movement restricted and so finding a lightweight tracker is imperative. It is also worth investing in a GPS tracker with a decent battery life and rechargeable batteries, as you don’t want to end up in a situation where your cat goes missing and the tracker is dead. You will also want to consider subscription fees for the service and how you track your pet. Some GPS trackers coming with geo-fencing, which alerts you when your pet ventures beyond certain boundaries.
To help you find the right GPS tracker for you and your pet we’ve compiled a list of the best pet-tracking devices currently on the market.
Contents
Top 4 GPS Pet Trackers
1. Whistle 3 GPS Pet Tracker & Activity Monitor
The Whistle 3 is hands down the best GPS tracker on the market. It has access to nationwide AT&T coverage to and uses advanced GPS and cellular technology to pinpoint your pet’s location anywhere in the USA.
The high-performance Whistle 3 app allows you to pinpoint your pet on a map so that you can easily locate your cat and bring them home if they go missing. You can also monitor their daily activity, ensuring that your cat is getting enough exercise and identifying any changes in their energy which might require a visit to the vet.
The Whistle sends proactive alerts, using email, app or text notifications when your pet leaves their safe place, accessing Wi-Fi before they get too far away. Subscription plans start at only $6.95 a month and require one Wi-Fi network.
The device itself is relatively lightweight, weighing around 28 grams, although it is not recommended for pets weighing less than 8lbs and therefore isn’t suitable for kittens. It’s durable, waterproof and attaches to any collar or harness up to 1” wide. It can go anywhere with your pet, even in the rain.
Whistle 3 has the longest-lasting battery of its kind and can last up to 7 days, although battery life can be impacted by the strength of your Wi-Fi/cellular coverage, usage and environment. Luckily, Whistle has thought of everything and will send you a notification when your battery needs to be charged, and a full recharge only takes 2 hours in the dock provided.
2. Loc8tor Pet Handheld Finder Locator Cat
Ok, so technically this is not a GPS tracker, but we felt it was worth including because of its excellent features and great reviews.
Super lightweight and compact, the Loc8tor tracker is the smallest of its kind. It weighs only 5 grams and so is less likely to bother your cat than some of the bulkier GPS trackers.
The Loc8tor comes with 2 mini homing tags, which you affix to your cat’s collar, and a credit card sized handset which will detect whether you are getting close to your cat. The tracker works with a range of up to 122 meters/ 400 feet. It even works through walls, doors and fences which is essential if your cat is trapped in a shed or garage.
Because the Loc8tor doesn’t actually use GPS, there are no subscription fees and you are not dependent on having service to work. The disadvantage is obviously that you need to be within range to track your cat.
You can set an Alert Mode, which notifies you if your cat has crossed a predefined boundary i.e. your garden fence. The Loc8tor is unique in its directional capabilities which guide you where you walk to find your pet.
3. Egmy GPS Mini Pet Tracker
This mini tracker might be a bit fiddly to set up, but it works well once you’ve overcome that hurdle. It uses a sim card (not included) to track your pet using GPS positioning, accurate to 10-15 meters. The advantage of this is there’s no subscription fee and you can choose a network that works well in your locality, rather than being tied to another network.
The tracker is linked to an app, which allows real-time tracking and stores date up to 90 days. The device itself is waterproof, dust-proof and shockproof, so can keep up with your pet’s antics.
4. Tagg GPS Pet Tracker- Dog and Cat Collar Attachment
The Tagg tracker one of the leading GPS pet trackers in the USA, despite its high price point. Tagg uses advanced GPS and the nation’s largest wireless network to help you to find your cat, regardless of where they are.
The Tagg device attaches onto your cat’s collar and, so they shouldn’t notice it too much. It’s engineered to withstand your pet’s daily activities and is durable enough to survive any knocks or splashes. Having said that, due to the bulkiness and 45g weight of the tracker, it isn’t recommended for pet’s under 10lbs and would not be suitable for kittens.
The tracker is linked to the Tagg GPS Pet Tracker App for iPhone and Android smartphones. You can receive alerts via text and email as well as locate your cat on a map.
It can also track your pet’s activity levels. In the event of your cat going missing, this can let you know whether they are on the move or have stopped somewhere. During normal day to day use, however, it will give you an idea of whether your cat is doing a sufficient amount of exercise. The app allows you view their daily activity on a graph that compares their movement over time. There is the option to set goals and compare your cat’s day to day activity levels. You can identify any long or short term changes which might indicate health problems, and discuss these with your vet to make informed choices.
You can recharge the Tagg with the docking station included and its recommended you so at least every other day to ensure it doesn’t run out of battery if your cat does go missing.
Purchasing a pet tracker will give you peace of mind that, should your cat go missing, you will be able to trace them. Plus added features, such as the health tracker on the Whistle 3, make these a worthy investment in your cat’s overall wellbeing.
