Having your pet missing can be a harrowing experience. That’s why over the years, GPS trackers for cats and dogs have become extremely popular. But many of these nifty devices don’t just tell your pet’s location. Some trackers can also monitor the health of your cat or dog. In a way, they’ve become the perfect wearables for your four-legged friends.
Choosing the best pet GPS tracker can be as challenging as choosing a pet. After all, not all trackers are built alike. However, what’s best for you depends on the quality of GPS or cellular service in your area and how far you want to track your pet. Below, we’ve listed our picks for the best GPS trackers for cats and dogs to help narrow down your choices.
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Best GPS Trackers For Cats and Dogs Comparison Chart
| Model | Product Image | Price |
| Jiobit GPS Tracker |  |  |
| Whistle GO Explore |  | |
| Tractive GPS Dog Tracker |  | |
| Pawfit 2 |  | |
| Fi Smart Dog Collar |  | |
Jiobit GPS Tracker
Best GPS tracker for cats
The Jiobot GPS Tracker is one of the best small GPS trackers today. Originally designed for kids, it’s marketed as a suitable option for cats, too. And we agree. The smart tag boasts a plethora of features packed in a lightweight form. Its pebble-like design also clips to your cat’s collar with ease. You can also purchase a fabric sleeve to securely attach the tracker.
Jiobit’s tracker can switch between GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular, allowing you to monitor your cat anytime and anywhere. Through its Live Mode, you get real-time updates on your pet’s location at any distance. Cat owners can also set up custom geofences and add trusted places like your home or your cat’s boarding center. If your pet crosses a boundary, you get immediate notifications as well.
Every purchase of a Jiobit requires a subscription to pay for the cellular service. Monthly fees cost $8.99 for a two-year contract. While it’s a bit expensive, you do get unlimited cellular data, geofencing, notifications, and turn-by-turn live tracking. The subscription also includes seven days of location history.
Durability: IPX8 | Activity Tracking: No | Battery Life: Up to one week
Whistle GO Explore
Best GPS tracker for dogs
For dogs, our favorite tracker is the Whistle GO Explore. Small and compact, this pet tracker can pinpoint the location of your dog in real-time. The GO Explore’s accuracy is good, too, as it utilizes AT&T’s nationwide network and Google Maps. Its location tracking also allows users to designate safe spaces and to receive notifications when they cross boundaries.
Alerts can be by text, email, or app. Multiple users can also receive notifications, perfect if you want the family to monitor your dog as well. GPS tracking updates come every 15 seconds and cover any location in North America. And at night, it’s easy to find where your pet is, thanks to a built-in night light.
Beyond knowing where your dog is, the GO Explore allows you to see how your dog is as well. Whistle’s tracker provides wellness reports about your pet’s behavior, from scratching and licking to sleeping and eating. You can share 30-day health reports about your dog to your vet via email right from the app. Or, if you have a Whistle subscription, you can access on-demand veterinary help through phone, chat, or email.
Durability: IPX8 | Activity Tracking: Yes | Battery Life: Up to 20 days
Tractive GPS Dog Tracker
Best GPS tracker for worldwide tracking
Wherever you and your pet may be, the Tractive GPS Dog Tracker makes sure you have peace of mind. The tracker’s SIM card connects to all networks worldwide with unlimited range in over 175 countries. In the country, the tracker connects to AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Viaero Wireless USA, regardless of the network your smartphone uses. Mobile fees are included in your Tractive subscription.
However, worldwide GPS updates are only available with a Tractive Premium Plan. This costs $299.49 for a five-year contract, which comes to $4.99 a month. Additional features on Premium include 365 days of location history and public and family sharing of your dog’s location. Of course, there are regular plans available in monthly, one-year, and two-year contracts as well.
Like other GPS trackers, Tractive allows users to set up designated safe zones. If your dog leaves or enters this area of virtual fences, pet parents get quick alerts. Tractive’s GPS tracking is also one of the fastest, with updates every 2 to 3 seconds. Moreover, it can track your dog’s sleep and activity, including metrics like calories burned.
Durability: IPX7, shock-resistant | Activity Tracking: Yes | Battery Life: Up to one week
Pawfit 2
Best pet GPS tracker with activity tracking
The Pawfit 2 is a rugged and durable GPS tracker for cats and dogs. At just under two inches wide, it’s also a compact device you can easily attach to your pet’s collar. The tracker enjoys an IPX8 rating and is fully waterproof up to 3 meters. It also comes with a built-in light and speaker. The latter plays an audio alert when someone finds your pet, providing information on how to return your cat or dog.
Pawfit’s embedded SIM provides coverage in North America and Europe. For real-time tracking, location updates are provided every 5 seconds. You can also access your pet’s location history, allowing you to see its favorite places to hide or hang out. Cat and dog owners can set up safe zones, too, and be alerted if the tracker is removed.
If you’re keen on keeping tabs on your pet’s health, the Pawfit 2 also provides activity monitoring. The feature can tell your cat or dog’s active and rest hours, distance, and calories burned. Pawfit’s built-in speaker can also be used for remote voice commands. Meanwhile, the tracker’s temperature sensor informs pet parents if it’s too hot or too cold where your cat or dog is.
Durability: IPX8 | Activity Tracking: Yes | Battery Life: Up to 6 days
Fi Smart Dog Collar
Most durable GPS tracker
If you want a secure tracker for your dog, consider the Fi Smart Dog Collar. The tracker, which comes with a collar, boasts GPS and LTE-M cellular network connectivity. It can also connect to your home Wi-Fi to save energy and improve accuracy. With its backyard geofence, the Fi Smart Dog Collar claims to be the fastest at notifying owners of an escape. It has a built-in LED light, too, for added visibility in low-light conditions.
The integrated collar comes in several styles and colors, including designs from third-party vendors. On the other hand, the tracking unit boasts an IP68 rating and can be submerged in water 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. It sports an armored aluminum faceplate and reinforced internal armor for bite resistance as well.
While it doesn’t have activity tracking, the Fi Smart Dog Collar can monitor your furry friend’s sleep. Insights include sleep patterns, nighttime interruptions, and overall restfulness. Because it tracks fewer metrics, the tracker boasts impressive battery life ratings. In Wi-Fi mode and with your dog at home, the Fi Smart Dog Collar can last up to 3 months on a single charge.
Durability: IP68 | Activity Tracking: Sleep only | Battery Life: 3 weeks to 3 months
Verdict
Out of the GPS pet trackers reviewed, Jiobit and Tractive stand out.
Having a GPS tracker for your pets is one of the best ways to be at ease. It’s also a non-invasive alternative to having your cat or dog microchipped. Some of the latest activity trackers can even monitor your pet’s activity, allowing you to understand their health and behavior.
While all the trackers reviewed are great options, two products stand out. For cats, the Jiobit GPS Tracker is our pick. It’s a lightweight and compact device that connects to multiple networks for constant and accurate monitoring. For dogs, we like the Tractive GPS Dog Tracker. The device boasts impressive worldwide coverage and comes with activity monitoring, too.
FAQs
Yes, the Whistle GO Explore comes with a one-year warranty.
The PawFit 2 can support up to six accounts.
Fi’s Smart Dog Collar has a two-day battery life in Lost Dog mode. Here, location updates are refreshed every two days.
Yes, Tractive also sells a GPS Tracker for cats.