With location and activity tracking, these wearable trackers and collars can help make sure your dog or cat is both safe and healthy. Find out which one is right for your furry companion.
Pet ownership is no walk in the park. Dogs and cats can become overweight just like humans, especially when they are older. Your pet can also go missing no matter how close an eye you keep on them.
Both scenarios are disconcerting, especially when you consider just how much happiness our fluffy friends bring into our lives. It’s our duty to keep them happy, healthy, and safe. And although regular trips to the vet along with some good old-fashioned TLC do wonders, technology can play a pivotal role as well. We’ve tested plenty of pet trackers and GPS collars designed to trace your pet’s activity, location, and more. Keep scrolling for our favorites, and be sure to read our buying guide at the end of this article for additional buying advice.
Why We Picked It
The Fi Smart Dog Collar makes it easy to track your dog’s location, activity, and sleep from your phone, and the third-generation model introduces major changes inside and out. Its smaller, lighter tracking module can accommodate tiny dogs, its more durable build fares better against chewers and leash pullers, and its improved waterproofing means you can keep a closer digital eye on adventurous pups. Escape alerts took longer to arrive in testing than with the previous model, but the Series 3’s overhauled GPS and cellular radios deliver quicker location updates in the crucial Lost Dog Mode without killing the battery. As for the tracker’s style, you can now choose between patterned and solid designs in blue, gray, pink, or yellow, as well as from a selection of compatible third-party bands. Current Fi users who want to upgrade from an older model to the Series 3 can do so within the Fi app or by contacting the company’s customer service team.
Who It’s For
The Fi Series 3 is the best GPS tracker for most dogs thanks to its durable build, long battery life, and reliable Lost Dog Mode. The new extra-small size (for necks measuring 9.5 to 11 inches in circumference) is suitable for breeds like miniature dachshunds, maltese, pomeranians, toy poodles, and Yorkshire terriers, while the extra-large option (for necks between 20 and 30.5 inches in circumference) should suit breeds like great danes, bloodhounds, and mastiffs. For those whose main priority is escape alert speed, the Tractive tracker might be a better choice.
PROS
- Smaller than the Series 2
- More frequent location updates in Lost Dog Mode
- Stainless steel case for improved strength
- Cellular subscription includes hardware
- Long battery life
- Seamless setup process
CONS
- Slower Escape Alerts than the last generation in testing
Source:https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-pet-trackers-and-gps-dog-collars