As a dog owner, I cannot think of anything worse than my beloved pet going missing. She’s part of the family and I’d do anything to keep them human members of my family safe so it goes without saying that that sentiment extends to my dog.
Of course, dogs are curious creatures and it’s not uncommon for them to wander off during a walk or even escape from your property in search of adventure. When this happens, you need to be safe in the knowledge that you’ll be able to relocate your pet and thankfully, modern technology has an answer; the GPS pet tracker.
These are small devices that can be attached to your dog’s collar and are connected to an app on your smartphone. Within this app you have various features such as a map, directions, live tracking, light and sound alerts and much more. Combined, these tools provide you with a way of finding your dog before they come to any harm.
They’re incredibly simple to use but it’s worth noting that you will have to pay a monthly subscription fee in order to access the network. However, I think that this is a small price to pay to guarantee the safety of my pet and in this post, I’d like to point out some of the benefits of GPS pet trackers. Of course, there are always two sides to every story so, in the spirit of being objective, I’ll also discuss some of the reasons you may not want to buy one.
Benefits Of GPS Trackers
With live tracking features, augmented reality, maps and much more, GPS pet trackers certainly provide you with plenty of tools to help find a missing pet. This is, of course, the main benefit of these devices and the main reason they’ve become so popular. With that in mind, I’m going to talk through some of the things that make these trackers so advantageous.
Increased Safety For Pets
The main point of a GPS pet tracker is to be able to monitor your pet’s location. Since dogs are such inquisitive animals, it’s likely that, from time to time, they will wander off to explore. This isn’t something you can stop your pet from doing but protecting them is.
With A GPS pet tracker, you know where your dog is at all times. This just makes things so much safer for your dog and will help to prevent them from getting into trouble.
Most GPS trackers have a virtual fence which means you can allow your dog a degree of freedom but you’ll receive an alert if they leave the safe zone. This, for me, is one of the best features of GPS Pet trackers and is imperative in terms of safety.
Peace Of Mind For Owners
I worry about my dog a lot. I just want to know that she is OK and well looked after. If she were to ever go missing and I didn’t have a GPS tracker, I wouldn’t know where to begin. I’ve heard horror stories about pets going missing and never being returned but this can all be prevented with the simple use of a tracker.
Knowing that your pet can be easily relocated gives you great peace of mind. I know that I feel much more comfortable letting Lilly off the lead when we go out if she’s wearing a tracker. Even if she does wander off into the trees, I only need to look at my phone to see what she’s up to. It makes me feel much more relaxed.
Ability To Track Lost Or Stolen Pets
It’s a sad fact of being a dog owner that there are some people out there willing to steal a dog that doesn’t belong to them. In cases like this, a GPS tracker will give you a headstart on getting your pet back and may also be of use to police, should you decide to report the crime. Of course, kidnappers could remove the device but at least you’ll have a last location which can point you in the right direction.
What’s more, should your pet ever become lost and unable to make their way back to you, you have everything you need in the palm of your hand to get them back. Some trackers even have a voice record function, lights and sounds that you can remotely activate. Let’s say you’ve roughly located your dog on the app but need to be a bit clearer, just activate the sounds from within the app and follow them to your pet.
Health Monitoring Options
A lot of GPS trackers come with health monitoring options as well which track things like calories, steps, sleep, activity and much more. I think this is an excellent way to keep tabs on your dog’s health and notice patterns in their behaviour.
I’ve also seen trackers that provide you with tailored information, according to the dog’s breed, showing what their level of activity should be. If you’re looking to keep your dog’s health in tip top condition then this can serve as a useful guide.
Drawbacks of GPS Pet Trackers
While I do agree that there are some amazing features with GPS pet trackers, there are drawbacks which is the case with everything. The things I am about to talk about wouldn’t necessarily be a deal breaker for me, but they’re certainly worth considering when choosing between trackers or indeed, whether to get one at all.
Cost
The price of the GPS tracker isn’t all that much. Most of the trackers that I have looked at are around the £50 mark. When you consider the technology and features, this is quite good value for money.
That said, a lot of people are put off by the monthly subscription which is required in order to access the GPS network. The device usually comes with a built-in SIM card and you’ll usually pay somewhere between £3 and £5 per month.
It isn’t a lot of money but, at a time where people are struggling financially, it’s worth thinking about. I would recommend looking at the annual options as these usually work out cheaper. Yes, you have to pay a larger sum upfront as opposed to a monthly amount but when you work it out, it’s less each month. Plus, you’re then covered for a much longer time.
Further down in this article, you will find a comparison table that shows the subscription costs for the Pawfit 2 Pet GPS Tracker for Dogs, Tractive GPS Dog Tracker and the Weenect Dog GPS Tracker. As you will see, the costs vary between brands and the length of time you sign up for.
You can also read my detailed comparison between the Pawfit 2 Pet GPS Tracker for Dogs and the Tractive GPS Dog Tracker as these, in my opinion, are the the 2 best GPS dog trackers available on the UK market. Which one you purchase will largely be down to your specific circumstances and features you require, so be sure to check this article out before jumping in.
Battery Life
Generally speaking, the battery life of a GPS pet tracker is anywhere between 3 and 7 days. Different brands work better than others and the battery life can be affected by things like signal strength.
But one of the main issues for users is that they’re worried the battery will die while they’re trying to search for their pet.
It goes without saying that you’ll need to regularly charge the battery but this doesn’t usually take longer than a couple of hours. To avoid problems while out and about, just make sure the device is fully charged before you leave.
Potential For Malfunction Or Inaccuracy
I’ve been reviewing several GPS pet trackers and most of them are accurate to within less than 50 feet. Some have greater accuracy than others but much of this depends on the signal strength.
One of the best levels of accuracy I have seen is the Tractive which can locate your pet to within 8 metres. But the problem is that there’s always room for things to go wrong and this can be concerning.
But you have to look at it from a wider angle; technology always stands a chance of malfunctioning but, for the most part, it works well. The chances of your system failing are quite small and I find that 99.9% of the time, I have no issues with my tracker. Therefore, I’d say it was better to have one with the small risk of problems than not to have one at all.
3 Best Pet Trackers in the UK Comparison Table
Last update on 2024-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
There’s no price you can put on the safety of your dog which is why I’m a big fan of using a GPS tracker when we are out and about. These devices offer peace of mind to pet owners and can help to locate a lost or stolen dog with a variety of in app tools. What’s more, many trackers also come with health monitoring.
I’m under no illusion that there are downsides to GPS pet trackers including a monthly subscription and the potential for things to go wrong. However, these are miniscule problems which I don’t think should put people off investing in one of these potentially life saving devices.
GPS Dog Tracker FAQs
Do dog trackers work without mobile service?
This largely depends on the device you are using. Some still operate when there is no service while others don’t. This is an important thing to check before buying, especially if you live in a remote area where network coverage isn’t always reliable.
How do GPS dog trackers work?
Global Positioning Systems, commonly known as GPS work by sending and receiving signals from satellites. This creates coordinates which are then sent to your phone as a location, allowing you to find your pet.
Are GPS dog trackers safe for my dog to wear?
As long as the device is not too heavy or your dog doesn’t feel uncomfortable or nervous wearing a collar then there is no reason that a GPS tracker would be unsafe.
How long will the battery last on a dog GPS tracker?
The battery life on your GPS tracker will vary by device. There are some that must be charged every day while others have a battery life of up to one year. What’s more, the battery may last longer when the signal is better as it doesn’t have to work as hard.
Are GPS trackers worth it for dogs?
If you want to ensure the safety of your pet and be able to locate them, should they go missing then a dog GPS tracker is a worthwhile investment. They are also great for monitoring your pet's excercise, distance travelled, calories burned, active and rest hours.
Do dog GPS trackers also work on cats?
Most dog GPS trackers are slightly too large for cats. However, there are some very small versions like the Weenect dog tracker that weighs just 25 grams. This may also be a better idea for smaller dog breeds.
For more than a decade I have been working with and reviewing a wide variety of household products, including pet related mobility products. My many years' of experience writing articles and creating helpful videos for various blogs and publications, have allowed me to recognise the benefits and shortfalls of a wide range of products and tools; providing me with the ability to not only identify what makes a good purchase, but also to help you choose a suitable product for your exact needs and requirements.
