How to choose the best GPS trackers for dogs and cats

Having the best GPS trackers for dogs is an investment that will be worth making, due to the usefulness and benefits that arise from its use. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire the best models available to guarantee their effectiveness.

What is GPS for dogs?

GPS for dogs is tracking devices that are placed on the dog’s collar or harness to monitor its activity through the mobile device using an application. It is well known that most pets, especially dogs and cats, must have a tracking device or chip that allows their identification. 

However, in many cases, this mechanism does not work when a pet is lost. With the advancement of technology, it is now possible to have terminals that allow you to monitor your dog through gps for dogs. Although they have been on the market for some time, the size, as well as the cost, prevented it from being a viable item. Currently, they can be obtained at affordable prices and in almost imperceptible sizes, some models even come as a GPS collar for dogs.

How GPS for dogs work

It is very easy to use since the device is only placed on the animal’s collar, chest, or harness with the SIM activated and that’s it, you can do your normal activities. This mechanism counts indicating the location of the animal with a GPS signal receiver.

Other outstanding aspects of the functioning of these mechanisms are:

• Data about the pet is transmitted to the owner’s mobile phone via an app or via text messaging, depending on the manufacturer.
• It can be configured within a security circumference, which generates an alert when it is traversed.
• You can know the location of the animal in the last hours and even days. Also, you can see what he does in real-time.
• Lets you know the real location with live tracking with directions on the map. Some models offer the shortest way to reach them quickly.
• Depending on the device, you can track multiple animals at once.
• They offer an analysis of the animal’s physical activity, providing advice to improve their lifestyle. It is undoubtedly a reliable and effective security technology alternative. 
• To enjoy these devices, a GSM or WIFI coverage is required that allows you to listen to or see the images where the pet is.

Characteristics of the GPS for dogs

On the market, there are countless models of GPS trackers for dogs with distinctive features. However, for the GPS for dogs price to have an excellent relationship with the benefit, it must have the following characteristics:

• They must have a small size and be light: These mechanisms must not exceed 80 or 100 grams of weight, in addition, they must be tiny so as not to cause discomfort to the animal.
• Waterproof: Ideally, GPS for dogs should withstand the elements. Some models support total immersion in water, guaranteeing greater safety.
• Durable and resistant: Most of the models tolerate the continuous activities of pets because they are designed with resistant materials with a good fixing system.
• The batteries must be of low consumption and long duration: The batteries are lithium and have a maximum duration of 120 hours. In addition, they indicate through the mobile device that the charge is running out. Aspects of each model can vary significantly from size to battery life. Therefore, before delving into the world of canine technology, it is convenient to analyze the main factors that must be covered to feel guaranteed with the product.

What kind of dog needs a GPS for dogs

It is worth mentioning that this type of mechanism is not essential for all pet dogs. The most sought-after are usually the GPS for hunting dogs since they travel long distances and often get entangled with plants or trees. Also, shepherd dogs and those very naughty ones that run away and get lost. On the contrary, if the animal is a calm pet, only a microchip for dogs will suffice. 

These are placed by veterinarians and emit a frequency wave received by a scanner that indicates the location of the pet. This team is owned by veterinarians and shelter centers to identify animals. The downside is that it does not track the pet and some scanners are not universal, so identification is not achieved.

Advantages of the best GPS trackers for dogs and cats

It is estimated that 90% of lost pets are not recovered by their owners, which is why the avalanche of products on the market to identify pets is growing rapidly. 

Those who choose to use a GPS for dogs enjoy the following benefits or advantages:

*They are small in size which allows their placement without the animal even noticing their presence. Everyday models appear to easily adapt to dog collars, harnesses, and bibs due to the fixing system that it incorporates. Best of all, they cause no damage and you can handle it on your own.

*You have the information of the dog in real-time, so you can monitor its activity and even its health at all times. In this way, you will not only know from him if he is lost but also when he moves, if he goes to the garden or is inside the house.

*Waterproof equipment guarantees protection when you go to the beach, mountains, river, and pool. For this reason, you will no longer have to give up fun with your best friend.

*It does not need to be inserted into the skin and you can place it whenever you want.

*They are very durable artifacts, even more so if they are given the care that is required. Furthermore, they come in ergonomic designs with a novel look that provides peace of mind for most users.

However, like everything, it still has the disadvantage of being expensive equipment that requires a monthly payment to maintain the service. In addition, they are subject to telephone coverage that may be missing when you need it most and if it becomes detached from the animal, it loses the effectiveness of the product.

Types of the best GPS trackers for dogs and cats

Not all types of dog trackers work the same. Here are some differences:

*With a SIM card: if you are going to use GPS (Global Positioning System) frequently, it is the best option, because it allows you to locate your dog without a limit of kilometers and with greater precision. The problem is that they need a monthly or annual subscription as if they were a mobile phone, which is usually managed from the application itself.

GPS for dogs without monthly fee: you also have this option, although it is much more limited and works by radio waves. The advantage is that you will not have to pay a subscription, but the tracking is much less effective, and the accuracy is not as high.

Precision:

I believe that this is a very important aspect that you should assess depending on the use that you are going to give it. A GPS collar for hunting dogs, which needs a lot of precision, is not the same as a GPS locator that you will only use for walks. In the first case, I recommend one with a SIM card for more precision, that is, a GPS tracker.

Mobile app:

Although most dog and cat GPS options have an integrated app, I think it is important that you select one that is intuitive, and easy to use, but that provides you with the most data possible. I always recommend the most complete ones, which offer you physical activity data, location history, two-way audio, and even sleep control. 

Also, it’s important to make activating features like the virtual fence as easy as possible. To do this, you can download it and test it before buying your dog GPS collar, in fact, it is something that I have done and that I would certainly recommend you do.

Virtual fence:

This seems to be one of the most useful functions when buying a collar to locate the dog. It is clear that with this tool you can know where your pet is at all times, but that would require constantly following its position.

With the virtual fence option, you can set up a “safe zone” and have the GPS dog collar notify you when you leave it. You can create as many as you need, and change them whenever you want: for example, one for everyone’s garden, another for the park where you usually take them for a walk, etc. 

The price varies depending on its technical characteristics and the accessories it includes, but as a general rule, you can find options from $30 to around $60, as long as we are not talking about a Garmin GPS, which then skyrockets the price.

Although you can find GPS for dogs without a monthly fee, I recommend one with a SIM card, which implies paying an annual or monthly subscription. Annual subscriptions work out better in the long run, approximately 40-60 dollars and monthly subscriptions can be around $10-$15. The savings are significant, and you won’t have to worry about renewing every month.

Recommendations to buy the best GPS for dogs:

Every time you go for a walk with your dog, it is exposed to situations that can be stressful and can cause loss of the animal. The recommendation of the experts is to identify the dog to recover it and this action can be done through chips for dogs, mini GPS, and GPS for dogs. 

If you want to purchase one of these devices, keep in mind the following recommendations:

• It must have correct support: If a device does not work correctly, its effectiveness is lost because it is not properly positioned. So, it is necessary that it is immobile, and adjusted, and that it is comfortable for the dog to wear.
• The size of the mechanism must be commensurate with the size and temperament of the animal. In small dogs a minimum device is necessary, however, in large animals, a larger volume will do.
• The duration and charge of the battery are factors that must be considered based on the needs and uses that are given to it. The app must also be intuitive, easy to access, and load data quickly. If possible, you can integrate multiple trackers, in cases of multiple pets.
• Get a dog leash or harness: Although most advertising for these devices appears on a leash, they usually come separately. For this reason, when acquiring a copy, make sure that the accessory where you are going to place it fits well and that the mini GPS is attached correctly.
• Keep in mind that although the use of satellites does not generate a price, the signals that are sent through mobile networks generate a cost. For this reason, subscribing to the device or purchasing a SIM for it will require a rate plan.

Choose the best GPS trackers for dogs and cats

As you have seen, there are different types of GPS dog trackers on the market, so I want to give you some keys to keep in mind when choosing one. I think you should consider the following factors before buying your dog GPS:

Battery: Keep in mind that depending on the use you are going to give it, you will need longer or shorter battery life. If you intend to make constant use of GPS positioning (which updates the position every few seconds, practically in real-time) or create virtual fences, choose a GPS dog tracker that has a long battery life, but if you usually go out in small areas or you just need to update the position every time, maybe a lower-end one will suffice.

Design: Size and weight are also very important factors, especially considering how your pet is. If your dog is a small breed, for example, it is better to choose a lighter GPS collar option, even if it has fewer specifications. Some options can be attached to your collar or harness that takes up very little space and are very light. What I do recommend is that it be as resistant as possible and submersible, because you never know where it will be able to get into one of your walks.

Top 6 the best GPS trackers for dogs and cats

(1) The best quality-price GPS for dogs

To this day, in my opinion, Tractive GPS is the best GPS for dogs you can find, at the home user level. It is a very complete GPS locator for dogs, with many functions, good precision, a good battery, a fairly successful App with many functions, available in 3 colors and hard and resistant, so I assure you that if you choose this option you will have a GPS for many years. For something it is the best-selling model and with the best user opinions, so I think it can be said that it is the best GPS for dogs.

INCLUDES: 1 small (35 g) DOG 4 GPS tracker, resistant and 100% waterproof, suitable for dogs from 4 kg. Suitable for necklaces up to 2.8 cm wide. Autonomy between 3 to 10 days.

SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED: covers the costs of the SIM card integrated into the tracker. From $5 per month (prepaid plans for 1 month or 1, 2, or 5 years). Try it risk-free with the guarantee of…

FOLLOW YOUR FOOTSTEPS: real-time GPS tracking with unlimited range around the world. Discover the Location History of your pet.

ESTABLISH SAFE ZONES: Create Virtual Fences and receive alerts if your dog strays too far.

ACTIVITY AND SLEEP TRACKING: Set goals and track wellness. Compare it to dogs like yours. Discover sleep patterns and detect problems early.

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(2) GPS for cats:

Are there GPS collars for cats? The answer is affirmative because, although it is true that cats are not taken for a walk or run in the fields or used to hunt, they are very independent animals that love to escape and leave the house to return hours or even days later.

Therefore, if your cat has a tendency to escape and you want to keep an eye on it at all times, a GPS cat tracker is the perfect solution. Its characteristics are similar to GPS for dogs: they are GPS trackers that work with a SIM card and a monthly subscription for greater precision, they are controlled through an App, they are small devices that are resistant to shocks and water, they can configure virtual fences or safe zones, and the only difference is that they usually come with a small collar to directly hang the GPS for cats on your kitten.

Best dog tracker without subscription

(3) Weenect Dogs:

Lastly, I want to tell you about this GPS dog tracker option that, in addition to having the basic features already seen in previous models, incorporates some that will surprise you. Unlimited kilometer tracking, being able to check the position of your dog every 10 seconds with very good precision. It is very small and light, weighing just 25 grams, your dog will hardly notice that it is wearing it.

It has a history of positions, so you can see what route your dog took at all times. It is made of very resistant and waterproof material, so your pet can be submerged in the water without any problem. It incorporates a training system, with vibration and buzz. It serves, above all, to show your dog when to come home through a beep, and with a little patience, it works.

If I had to highlight some aspects to improve, I think that the battery does not last as long as in other devices, about three days, but it is normal if you use constant positioning and the training function.

I like this option because it has all the specifications of other models and the training function, which I think can be very useful. This Weenect model competes to be the best GPS for dogs on the market.

(4) GPS for dogs and cats Kippy:

This GPS collar for dogs and cats has some functions that you will not find in other models and that I find very useful.

These are the features that most caught my attention about the Kippy GPS :

It is a complete GPS tracker for dogs and cats with GPS, GLONASS, LBS, WiFi, and Bluetooth, so you can ensure very good coverage. It is a perfect activity complement, because it measures your pet’s steps, running time, playing time, and sleep. The app is quite successful. It has a long battery life (up to 7 days with limited functions). It incorporates light, so you can know where it is visually.

The app is much more complete than other brands, with many different features that you can explore. It also has a virtual fence system, with which you can create safe areas and alert you when you move away from them. Among the aspects to be improved, some users indicate that compared to other models it could be more precise.

The Kippy GPS is a good quality, robust, waterproof, and dog-proof option, so it’s sure to last you a long time. In this case, this GPS chip for dogs is also available in three colors: green, pink, and yellow.

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(5) Tractive – GPS dogs, Location in time.

If you like to go for a walk and play with your dog, you may be interested in consulting this article where I analyze the best automatic ball launchers for dogs, a very practical and fun accessory for your pet. If you are concerned about your pet’s diet, you should also consult this other article on the best grain-free dog food.

GPS dog tracker is the best seller

(6) Tractive GPS:

This Tractive GPS dog tracker is the best seller on the market, something you already know is an indicator of confidence. It is a very complete GPS collar for dogs, which does not lack anything.

I think the following should be highlighted:

It has an integrated SIM card, which connects directly to your mobile to see its location in real-time, making it very precise. It updates it every two or three seconds. The price of the monthly subscription starts at $5/month. It is waterproof, shock resistant, and very robust, and fits most collars and harnesses. Its battery has a lot of autonomy, and you will have to charge it every few days, it can even last a week, depending on use.

It is the best-valued GPS collar for dogs by customers. From the application of this GPS locator for dogs, you can create safe areas and virtual fences, and notify you when your dog strays. Monitor the activity and sleep of the dog, so you can have constant data on the physical health of your pet, so the app provides a large amount of data.

As a weak point, it is not designed for mini or very small breed dogs. It is recommended that they weigh more than four kilos because it could be uncomfortable for them or not give them full freedom of movement.

The tractive GPS for dogs is a perfect option for very active pets, who like adventure because it has a lot of autonomy, is very resistant and its app provides a lot of information. It is probably the best dog GPS you can find today. As if all this were not enough, it is available in several colors, here you can choose the color you prefer for your dog: white, dark blue, or brown.

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