How To Choose The Best Pet Tracker For Your Cat – CatTime
It is safe to say we love our pets. No matter the species from cat to dog, bunny, or rat, they eventually become no less than a part of our families. As such, we do what we must to take care of them, guaranteeing their safety and security for the duration of their lives. Sometimes this entails protecting them from running away, getting lost, or worse, getting injured by outside influences. Luckily, there are plenty of products in the pet market, specially designed to keep track of your furbabies. One such product is the pet tracker. Available in several mediums and approaches, there is a pet tracker out there for all of our furry family members. Let’s take a look into the top five pet trackers on the market today, along with their nuances and variety.
Best Choice
Small, robust and efficient
Pros:
This tracking cube is highly ideal for any collared pet. It fits securely to any leash or collar ring, in addition to the majority of transportable crates for flying and travel. There is nothing scarier than trusting the life of your loved one in the hands of someone working for an airline, bus company, etc. With this little guy attached, you can keep track of your pet’s location no matter where you are. From the airplane to the office, this pet tracker is the best choice overall for so many reasons. With a replaceable battery and map location, you simply cannot go wrong. Finally, its quick track system delivers fast and accurate results even for the most stressful of situations.
Cons:
The only drawback found here was the connectivity issues experienced by some. However, the majority of Cube products connect via Bluetooth without any problems.
Best Precision Tracking
Easily locate your pet within 1-inch
Pros:
It features state-of-the-art technology that gives you a pinpoint location of whatever you are tracking. It works up to a maximum of 400 ft away and has saved over 2,500 dogs and 3,200 cats. The handset and the tracker are durable and fit safely within a hard case when not in use. It has a helpful beep and buzzing technique that alerts the owner when they get closer to what it is you are searching for, even if they are moving or up in a tree. Finally, this tracker has proven itself to be ideal for all varieties of pets.
Cons:
The lifetime of the battery is something that could be improved. Many recommend changing the batteries upon receiving the tracker.
Best Features
Easy to use, smart and durable
Pros:
This device tracks in real-time without any sort of subscription being necessary. It is ideal for so many reasons it is tough to know where to begin; however, one VITAL ability here is the fact that it works with or without cell phone data. It can track different activities as well as record sound for future reference. In addition to keeping your pet safe, it also works as a training device and interactive dog walking. It keeps itself organized, deleting older information as new stuff pours in. It comes with two modules, one being for control, and the other for tracking. It is a very easy-to-use system that provides several unexpected but exciting services.
Cons:
The application used to operate this device is sometimes hard to connect to from an Android device or something separate from Apple, although there are developments on the horizon.
Best For Multiple Pets
An ideal solution for multiple pets
Pros:
First and foremost, this tracker does not require an app to work successfully. Second, it is understandably loud to alert you of your pet’s preference. It is priced quite low for all that it offers, providing pet families with the peace of mind they need, knowing that their animals are safe where they are supposed to be. They also come equipped with designative stickers should you wish to track a set of keys or favorite handbag as well–this product is perfect for so many different applications. Finally, the tag itself transmits a loud enough beep that it can be heard up to 100 feet away.
Cons:
This product is not worth purchasing if you do not have a handful of pets or other items worth tracking. People have additionally had issues with the battery cover popping off.
Best Discrete Pet Tracker
Durable, discreet and reliable
Pros:
We would be remiss if we did not mention the geofence ability under the pros category. This tracker is the best option for quickly preventing your animal from getting away, potentially saving a whole lot of time and energy. It comes with a magnetic USB cable for quick and convenient charging. It also comes with a hard storage case for its protection when it’s not in use. Another significant factor that sets this tracker apart from the others is its ability to access LTE/GSM instead of relying on WiFi or the GPS network alone. The company itself provides excellent customer service should ever require assistance.
Cons:
One of the biggest complaints we found in correlation with this particular tracker is that while it does send alerts to the app, they are not also forwarded to email addresses and the like. Others also suffered various connectivity issues.
What Really Matters?
The Technology Behind the Tracker
While we cannot speak for them all, most pet trackers on the market today are technically proficient. Where the concern should lie is how the tracker in question will work for you.For example, if you live in a busy neighborhood with plenty of Wi-Fi, a Wi-Fi reliant tracker is ideal. While for others, such as those running on LTE networks, perhaps in the country, might want to check in and make sure their device will also run in such a way. Losing a pet is serious, giving them the best chance of being found is possible when you buy the right technology for your situation.
The Amount of Battery Life
One of the best things we can do for you in terms of advice is to suggest buying a device with a long-lasting, or more preferably, recharging batteries. We cannot think of anything worse than finding your animals to be missing, only to try and use a charger that is running low on battery or completely dead altogether. Dependability is the name of the game when it comes to pet tracking, and one cannot be dependable with a flaky battery.
Pet Tracker Durability
With so many pet trackers able to clip on your animal’s leash, collar, or on a keychain, etc. you need to be able to trust that it will stay attached. The only way to ensure something like this will not break off is by shopping pet trackers made out of durable materials. Trackers made from durable resin, rubber, and metal are all going to be more reliable than lesser made trackers.
Prices
Cheap
$10-$15 These lower-priced pet trackers are your run of the mill options that provide the bare minimum. What we mean is there are typically no added features, only the ability to track your pet using an app. These are single packs, suitable for close-range tracking of your furbaby. Usually with a low price tag, the quality of the materials also slips, so you will want to pay attention.
Mid-Range
$16-$25 These pet trackers are pretty standard and are usually branded with a name that is familiar within this space. The majority are pretty trustworthy in terms of their makeup and quality, often manufactured from more durable resins and metals. They sometimes feature added features like recording and time tracking and usually run quite smoothly on the common networks.
Expensive
$26-$40 When it comes to our pets, money is not always an object – especially when it comes to keeping them safe. These higher-priced pet trackers are well-worth the money with bonus features and extra tags for multi-pet households. One major benefit here is they are often unbreakable, therefore, highly reliable.
FAQs
How does a pet tracker work around data?
Much like a cell phone, a pet tracker sometimes needs data to operate effectively. To keep a data-based pet tracker online, you are usually encouraged to purchase a monthly or annual subscription plan. Often, they are more than reasonably priced for around $4 a month.
Can a pet tracker operate off of WiFi?
While we cannot answer yes definitely about all pet trackers, many work just fine away from WiFi. In the end, something like this should be researched specifically prior to making a purchase.
Can I connect my pet tracker to my cell phone, iPad, or another device?
In general, yes, the majority of pet trackers pair perfectly with your cell phone or tablet for convenient use anywhere.
Why Trust Us
Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.