Are Pet Tracking Devices Worth It? Pros, Cons & Top Picks

The worst nightmare for every pet parent is to witness their pet go missing. I couldn’t even imagine the things that might happen while my dog goes off track while taking him on a walk.

We all have that greedy wish to keep our pet under our eyes, but our busy schedule makes it impossible. Because we have a family to take care of, a course to complete, and a life outside to survive.

Luckily, Today, we have many advanced pet tracking devices available in the market. They come with an attached GPS to track the pet’s location and give pet parents peace of mind. But, like any other technology, they have their own pros and cons.

In this blog, we explore what a pet tracking device is, its pros & cons, whether pet tracking devices are worth the hype, and our top picks.

What Is A Pet Tracking Device?

A pet tracking device is designed to track a pet’s whereabouts with the help of either GPS or Bluetooth. They are usually attached to the collar of the pet, and you can track your pet’s location via their pet tracking app.

Types Of Pet Tracking Devices:

GPS Trackers:

GPS tracking devices for dogs use the global positioning system to track a pet’s location. They show real-time location and alert the pet and pet owners if the pet crosses the boundaries.

Bluetooth Trackers:

Bluetooth pet tracking devices use near-paired smartphones to track a pet’s location. Unlike GPS trackers, they send a signal once every 15 minutes or 30 minutes.

Radio frequency (RF) Trackers:

They are the ideal choice if you go hiking with your dogs in a remote area. This tracker uses radio frequency waves to track your pet’s location.

Pros Of Pet Tracking Devices: What Are The Benefits?

1. Real-time Location

With a GPS tracking device for dogs and cats, you can easily track your pet’s real-time location even if you are in a different country. Plus, the heat map features help to know about your pet’s frequently visited places.

2. Emergencies

The pet tracking devices are especially beneficial in times of natural disasters or sudden emergencies. If your pet doesn’t lose the collar, reuniting with your pet is so much easier.

3. Health Monitoring

Today, the market’s best pet tracking devices come with health monitoring systems. This includes sleep tracking, calorie burned count, heart rate, etc. They help in monthly health checkups and tracking the pet's activity level.

4. Peace Of Mind During Hiking

If you are an adventure lover and don’t want to leave your pet alone, Radio frequency pet tracking devices are your friend. You can enjoy hiking and roam with your pets without the fear of losing them.

Cons Of Pet Tracking Devices: How They Are Disadvantageous?

1. Subscription fees - Additional Cost, Still Worth It!

Most of the best pet tracking devices work on a subscription basis and charge even more for premium services. This may increase your monthly pet budget.

2. Works till its Battery life

GPS tracking devices for dogs and cats work on rechargeable batteries. They last for about 2 to 4 days, and once the battery is down, you can’t track your pet.

3. Connectivity Issues

Pet tracking devices might not work properly where the WIFI or cellular network is weak. So, you might have a hard time using a pet tracking device in rural areas.

Are Pet Tracking Devices Required For All Pets?

Dr. Simran Gill, a leading vet in Pune, advises that “pets with anxiety or high energy are the top escape artists. A lightweight GPS tracker, especially one that monitors activity, helps both in emergencies and everyday health management.”

So now you know the pros and cons of pet tracking devices, and the million-dollar question that arises in your mind is, “Are they worth your time and money?”

Well, it depends on your lifestyle and situation.

You need a Pet tracking device:

1. If you have a dog or cat that’s quite a runner and knows how to escape the home sneakily.
2. If you often leave your dog with a dog walker or in daycare.
3. If you live in a bigger property or a rural area where your pet roams outside more often.
4. If you frequently go hiking or hunting with your dogs.

You don’t need a Pet tracking device:

1. If your pet doesn’t go outside often or knows how to return safely.
2. If you have someone in your home to watch over your pets all the time.

Still, it’s not a bad idea to invest in a good-quality pet tracking device. Because we never know what could happen.  Even a well-trained dog might go missing or, worse, it might get injured. So, when it comes to pets' safety, prevention is better than a cure.

What To Look For When Buying Pet Tracking Devices?

Pet tracking devices are not a small investment. You need to consider many factors before buying one to get the best out of your money. 

Factors to look out for While Buying a Pet Tracking Device:

Weight and size:

When buying a pet tracking device, make sure it is lightweight, or else your pet might feel discomfort, especially small dogs or cats.

Tracking system:

Choose a tracking system according to your lifestyle. For example, buy a GPS tracking system for dogs if you want real-time location updates, or a Bluetooth pet tracking device if you need a budget-friendly option.

Customer service:

Many people overlook this factor. Check whether they have proper tele-service for customer care, and read reviews to know how many days they will take to respond to inquiries.

Battery:

Always choose the best pet tracking device with good battery storage capacity.

Privacy:

GPS tracking devices for dogs collect more data about you and your dog. So, make sure your data is safe and check their privacy policy.

Functionality:

Aesthetic apps are great to look at. But you shouldn’t compromise on its functionality.

Overall cost:

Before buying the best pet tracking devices, calculate the overall cost you need to invest, including the subscription amount and other additional accessories.

Why You Need The Best Pet Tracking Device For Cats?

Compared to Dogs, the cases of lost cats are higher, and the worst part is, they are hard to find. So, it’s important to invest in the best pet tracking devices for cats.

Cats are sensitive and picky. Thus, choose a pet tracking device that is lightweight and designed for small animals. 

Nowadays, many pet tracking devices come with a ringing feature. So, even if they hide under funnels or drainage holes, it will be easy to find them.

Microchips vs Pet Tracking Devices:

You might ask questions like “Do I need to buy pet tracking devices, even if my pet was microchipped?”

The answer is yes because you need someone to scan the QR to identify your pet when they go missing. But we can’t wait for that to happen.  A pet tracking device might help you find your pet even faster. So, it’s good to have both.

Our Top Picks on The Best Pet Tracking Devices

We know the Indian market has a handful of options when it comes to pet tracking devices. We found the best pet tracking device that will work for Indian pet parents.

1. Captain India’s Pet tracking device

Captain India’s pet tracking devices have an interesting bell-type designed GPS tracker. They offer a year's free subscription. 

Plus, a 2G SIM card is included, and a QR code feature to easily find the pet. Their location accuracy is 10 to 15 meters.

Pros:

· Good Real-time tracking accuracy.

· 1-year free subscription.

·  Waterproof and durable.

Cons:

·  It weighs about 100 grams, so it might cause discomfort for small dogs and cats.

·  Expensive.

2. Apple’s AirTag 

Apple’s AirTag is not exactly designed for pets. But it works well as a pet-tracking device. AirTag works by connecting with a nearby iPhone to track the pet’s location.

Pros:

·  No subscription needed, like other pet trackers.

·  Good app features.

Cons:

·  No real-time tracking feature. They send you a signal every 15 minutes.

·  Works only where iPhone users are higher.

3. Jio tag

Like Airtag, they are not exactly a pet tracker. But it is the affordable best pet tracker device. You can use Google’s “Find My” app to track your pet’s location.

Pros:

·  Affordable.

·  No SIM or subscription needed.

·  Good battery life.

Cons:

·  It works on the Bluetooth system. So, the tracking range is much smaller.

·  No UWB (Ultra-Wideband) support.

4. Mitag’s Go Anti-Loss Device

Mitag’s pet tracker comes with a collar, and it’s the best pet tracking device for cats. Their compact design is suitable for all cats.

 Pros:

·  Affordable and no subscription needed.

·  Waterproof.

·  Good battery life.

Cons:

·  No UWB (Ultra-Wideband) support.

·  Google’s “Find My” app doesn’t show the previous location histories.