Track your dog’s location and activity with this selection of the best GPS dog collars from top brands like Findster and Pawster.
Do you get slight separation anxiety when you see your pooch run off? We don’t blame you.
Equipping pets with ID tags or microchips is one way to ensure your pets’ safe return in case they get lost while on holiday or stray away from home, but you can take your dog’s safety to another level — with wearable technology for pets.
Pet cameras are getting more and more popular, and pet wearables, such as GPS collars, are making it possible for pet parents to track their dog’s location (and even monitor their activity) wherever they are.
What are the benefits of GPS pet trackers and collars?
Equipping pets with ID tags or microchips is one way to ensure your pets’ safe return in case they get lost while on holiday or stray away from home, but you can take your dog’s safety to another level — with wearable tech for pets. Pet wearables, such as GPS collars, are making it possible for pet parents to track their dog’s location (and even monitor their activity) wherever they are.
How do GPS pet trackers work?
A GPS chip in the tracker acquires your pet’s position and sends the info to the internet and your smartphone primarily via mobile coverage. Usually, an app is used to display your pet’s location on a map. Base stations are commonly used to establish the link between the tracker, which is attached to your dog’s collar, and your smartphone via WiFi or Bluetooth.
What are the most important features in a GPS pet collar?
Some smart collars can do more than simply track your pet’s location. If you’re looking for additional features, pick a tracker that monitors activity and sleeping patterns. Note, however, that a GPS tracker is not a substitute for a microchip in your pet. Use a GPS collar or tracker in conjunction with a microchip, which stores your pet’s info and is still the best way to ensure you’re reunited with them if they get lost. 99% of shelters and veterinary clinics have scanners for microchips.
What is the best GPS dog collar and tracker?
We’ve checked out everything out there and lined up a selection of the best GPS dog collars and trackers for your beloved pet. There is something for everyone and every budget in this list, and you can find devices from top brands like Findster and Pawfit.
We recommend taking some time to properly consider everything in this list, and weigh each product up against your own set of preferences. The best device for you and your pet should emerge.
These are the best GPS dog collars and trackers in 2021.
Tractive GPS DOG 4
This GPs dog tracker lets you mark safe spaces, and notifies you the moment your dog leaves one.-
Collar:
No, attaches to collar -
Subscription Plan Required:
Yes -
Battery Life:
Up to 5 days -
Water Resistant:
Yes -
Activity Monitoring:
Yes -
Safety Features:
Virtual Fence, Integrated light
Similar to many GPS pet trackers, Tractive lets you access live tracking on an app (available for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone), but a web interface is also available. And with its Location History feature, you don’t only see where your pet is *right now* but also where they have been. Another cool feature? You can share info on a Tractive GPS device with friends and family members so they can also see your pooch’s location. This is especially helpful when you need to send info to a dog sitter (or to a very attached co-dog parent), for example.
Need more peace of mind? Tractive also lets you set up a Virtual Fence, which defines the “safe area” for your dog. The Virtual Fence notifies you (and anyone you’ve shared the tracker with) when your pet leaves or enters the safe area. Note, however, that the notifications are sent on your smartphone via push-notifications (not SMS) so you would need an internet connection. You can also set up email notifications.
Pawfit 2 GPS Pet Tracker
Monitor the important stuff, like active hours, rest hours, calories burned, and distance travelled.-
Collar:
Yes, but can also attach to existing collar -
Subscription Plan Required:
Yes -
Battery Life:
Up to 6 days -
Water Resistant:
Yes -
Activity Monitoring:
Yes -
Safety Features:
Text-to-speech technology, safe zones, temperature alerts
The Pawfit tracker is designed to be waterproof and dustproof, with a hardened ABS shell makes it anti-drop and anti-bite. The battery supports up to 10 days on standby and up to six days of regular use. The battery fully recharges in under 2.5 hours, so when it does run out, it won’t take long to start it up again.
The tracker can be easily mounted on any pet collar or harness up to 1.25 inches, and alerts you when the surrounding temperature of your pet becomes abnormal, the tracker is removed from the collar, or your pet crosses one of the 10 safety zones.
You can see your pet’s locations and activities on the Pawfit App, and receive alerts and manage up to four pets on your phone.
Weenect Dog GPS tracker
This GPS tracker operates without a distance limit, so you can follow your dog from your phone wherever they are in the world.-
Collar:
No, attaches to existing collar -
Subscription Plan Required:
Yes -
Battery Life:
Up to 4 days -
Waterproof:
Yes -
Activity Monitoring:
No -
Safety Features:
Safe Zones
There are also great training features with this device. For example, you can ring your dog’s tracker with every meal, and they will associate both events, hopefully. This means a ring will be enough to make them come home. That’s the idea, anyway.
The battery lasts between two to four days in daily use, which isn’t the best we have seen, but it is fully charged in just two hours.
The GPS tracker is equipped with a SIM card that is supplied. It therefore requires a subscription to cover the service charge.