Best GPS Trackers for Pets
Our pets are family. We love them like children, siblings and friends. Because of that love – we never want to lose them.
The world of GPS trackers for pets is expansive and there are many tools and resources available to give you the peace of mind you deserve. It may not be something you want to consider but approximately 6.5 million pets end up in an animal shelter every year. Of that 6.5 million only about 11% are returned to their owners.
You can protect your pets and give yourself confidence in knowing you can find them if it happens to you. There are many ways to track and safeguard your pets. Some of the most popular and suggested ways include using a collar with a tag, adding a GPS tracker and having a microchip implanted.
Take the few minutes today to learn about how to protect your pets and the best GPS trackers available. Select the right one for you and purchase now!
The Most Popular Ways to ID Your Pets
The first item that comes to mind for most pet owners is having a tag on the collar. This is a critical identifier of your pet. In many instances bystanders will see a dog or cat that may look lost and if the proper ID is on the collar they may be easily brought home. With that said, have you ever considered using a QR code on the collar so anyone can find all of the contact information with a click of their cell phone?
Consider this and many other ways to keep your pet safe:
- Always have a tag on their collar
- Make sure your contact information is clear and legible on the tag (use a QR code)
- Get your pet microchipped and register immediately
- Have your pet wear a tracker (GPS) device
- Use a pet camera for at-home monitoring
The Difference Between Microchips and GPS Trackers
Before we dive into the best GPS trackers list we want to highlight the differences between microchips and GPS. It is easy to use the same terms to mean the opposite.
Pet microchips are not GPS tracking devices and cannot track pets remotely. The microchip (which is strongly recommended) is a radio-frequency identification (RFID) implant in your pet. The RFID chip provides a permanent ‘tag’ for your pet with information about you as the owner. The RFID has a number associated with it and any local pet shelter (and other officials) can scan for the chip.
The ID number is stored in a massive database accessible by animal rescue shelters and other official agencies. A microchip does not have nor requires a battery and there are no moving parts. It will last your pet’s lifetime. The microchip is available for cats and dogs.
Pet GPS trackers are exterior devices often attached to the pet’s collar. The GPS tracker does require a battery and like the GPS you use on our phone for directions, coordinates a general location (with quite accurate precision) of your pet’s location. It is an independent way for you to find your pet’s location, not for use by a shelter or animal rescue.
Why You Should Track Your Pet
Pets mean the world to us. You should be proactive and get the GPS tracker you find most suitable for you and your pet because it is too hard to imagine losing them.
For older adults, aging in place with your pet can bring life, joy, and laughter into your day-to-day living. This is just an example of the many benefits pets provide to aging adults in particular. Consider the following five benefits:
- Companionship. Pets offer your aging loved one a living thing to spend time with (especially if they live alone).
- Improved Mental Health. Evidence suggests that spending just 15 minutes with a pet will lower levels of cortisol (the “fight or flight” hormone) and increase serotonin (the “feel-good” hormone).
- Opportunities for Exercise. Through exercise (i.e. walking or playing with a pet) an aging loved one’s stress and blood pressure can be reduced.
- Opportunities for Socialization. Walking your dog, talking with others about your pet, going to the pet store and other activities will engage your aging loved one with others.
- Protection: Safety and security come in many forms. Having a pet can offer you some comfort knowing that your aging parent can be protected from intruders and helped in an emergency.
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 cell 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 pet’s collar, and your smartphone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Is GPS or Bluetooth Better?
As you explore pet tracking devices you will likely come across those that are GPS or Bluetooth. With your phone, you will notice that you can have a GPS map to help you navigate your drive or Bluetooth to connect with your wireless headphones.
In thinking of those examples of your phone – a GPS tracker gives you the same ability to see where your dog or cat is on your phone regardless of their distance from you. A Bluetooth tracker will give you short-range connection without the ability to track once your pet leaves the rang (often 10 meters or more).
For accuracy and long-range monitoring, we strongly recommend purchasing a GPS tracker from the list we have compiled in this article.
The Best GPS Trackers for Pets
The 5-GPS Pet Trackers listed below are the best of those are the market today! This list was compiled based on assessing the quality of the tracker, customer reviews, and comparing 5-independent rankings. The GPS trackers that were ranked high across multiple trustworthy sources are noted below. You will find in our list: Tractive GPS 3G Tracker, Whistle Go GPS Pet Tracker, Link AKC Smart Dog Collar, FI Smart Dog Collar, and PetPace Smart Collar.
The best pet trackers are summarized in a table format so you can easily compare each of them and look for the qualities and price that work for you. Review the list, check out the brief summaries of each option and find the right one for you.
| Subscription Plan Required? | Batter Life | Water Resistant | Activity Monitoring | Works with Cats | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tractive LTE GPS Dog Tracker | Yes | Up to 5 Days | Yes | No | No | $48.54 |
| Whistle Go GPS Pet Tracker | Yes | Up to 7 Days | Yes | Yes | Yes | $129.95 |
| Link AKC Smart Dog Collar | Yes | Up to 3 Days | Yes, up to 3 Feet | Yes | No | $109.99 |
| Fi Smart Dog Collar | Yes | Up to 4 Weeks | Yes | Yes | No | $149.00 |
| PetPace Smart Collar | Yes | Up to 6 Weeks | Yes, up to 3 Feet | Yes | Yes | $249.95 |
What to Ask When Looking for in a GPS Pet Tracker
Reflect on the following key questions as you assess the best fit for you and your pet:
- How accurate is the position of your pet?
- How often does it require software updates?
- Is it waterproof?
- What does it weigh?
- How big is it?
- How easy is it to set up and attach?
- How often will it update the location of my pet?
- Does it keep a history or log of location?
- What fees are associated with the GPS tracker?
Tractive LTE GPS Dog Tracker
The Tractive LTE GPS Dog Tracker is meant for dogs only. It will provide you with live tracking and location history. It can mark a safe space around your home for a virtual fence and safe zone you can easily monitor. With a subscription plan cost of $4.99 a month, you can spend your days knowing that for a small cost you are protecting your pet. You are able to rest assured that with Tractive you can use your GPS tracker throughout the world if needed. Shop the bestselling Dog and Cat GPS Tracker from Tractive! Click HERE!
Whistle Go GPS Pet Tracker
On a 20-day batter built to last you can find your pet quickly and with a very broad range using the AT&T 4G LTE network with Whistle Go. The monthly subscription cost of $7.95 is a small price for your pet’s safety and wellbeing. With Whistle Go, you can also monitor your pet’s health, nutrition, and activity. You will have real-time access to find your pet with precision accuracy. If you are on the go and want regular updates then Whistle Go can set up hourly updates on your pet’s location – keeping you informed.
Link AKC Smart Dog Collar
The Link AKC Smart Dog Collar is a built-in tracker (not attached to the collar) that will actively monitor your dog's location. The GPS tracking enabled will provide fast and accurate updates. With an easy-to-charge tracking unit and convenient USB port, the AKC smart collar package is a suitable choice for your pet.
Fi Smart Dog Collar Series 2
The Fit Smart Dog Collar Series 2 is a smart collar that is chew-proof, water-proof, and is both Bluetooth and wi-fi enabled. The collar comes with month-long battery life and can set up several virtual fences with alerts. It requires a base station for charging and you will need to have a subscription for the GPS location enabling functionality to work. Each Fi Collar has a one-year warranty.
PetPace Smart Collar
The PetPace Smart Collar and health monitoring service continuously analyzes vital signs and behavior from your pet’s smart-sensing collar and sends you updates throughout the day. PetPace alerts you on your smartphone and your vet immediately at the first sign of trouble. For a total cost of $249.95 with a subscription fee for GPS tracking ability – the PetPace Smart Collar is an excellent choice.
You May Also Consider Trackers Not Traditionally Used For Pets
While the above are our top picks for pet-specific GPS trackers, you may also want to consider using a tracker not originally designed for your four-legged friend. For a look at our complete list of recommended GPS Trackers for your human loved one check out our Best GPS Trackers for the Elderly article.
PocketFinder
The newer PocketFinder models utilize all three location technologies, GPS, Cell ID, and Google Wi-Fi touch, for accurate outdoor and indoor locating. It also has an SOS button. You can also receive $30 off Personal or Vehicle trackers exclusively with the Caring Village discount code: CARING30
iTraq
iTraq determines its position using WiFi triangulation (for indoor tracking) as well as GPS and cellular tower triangulation that allows iTraq to be located anywhere in the world where cellular service exists. There are also fall detection, scheduled reporting, and geofencing abilities. Battery life can also last up to four months depending on the settings you select.
Trax
Trax is the smallest and lightest real-time tracker on the market, combining GPS and GLONASS for increased precision. Single or multiple trackers can be monitored via easy-to-use smartphone (iOS/Android) and desktop web apps. Trax boasts an array of features including geofence security, proximity and speed alerts, and an Augmented Reality fast-find feature. Trax is small in size but big on technology and fits easily into a pocket or bag.
Yepzon One Personal GPS Locator 
The Yepzon GPS locator tracks the location of your loved one every 10 seconds. It can work with any mobile device and the battery life is suitable to last several weeks (to even months) depending on how often you need to use it. On Amazon, this product received a 4 (out of 5) rating with more than 250 comments and reviews.
Benefits of GPS Trackers and Next Steps
As you make your final decision, think about the major benefits having a GPS collar can provide you and your pet, such as:
- You will have real-time location accuracy
- The trackers are waterproof
- The batteries last at least a few weeks if not more
- A virtual fence keeps you alerted immediately
- Additional health benefits and monitoring
Don’t wait any longer to purchase your pet’s GPS tracker. Learn how to use it properly and set up a safe and secure home for your companion.
