Updated: July 10th, 2022
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Like human babies, most household pets show a great deal of innocence and could become curious enough to sniff or lick objects unknown to them. This curiosity puts them at risk, as they could ingest toxic substances or get hurt easily without supervision. Pet-proofing helps to keep overly curious animals like dogs safe, especially when they are indoors.
When dogs wander off their owner’s property, they could get lost and never come home. A study by The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) found that “49 percent of dog guardians found their dog by searching the neighborhood, and 15 percent of the dogs were recovered because they were wearing an ID tag or had a microchip.” With advancements in technology, dog trackers and GPS collars have become available to keep track of our furry friend’s activities.
As much as leashes and crates are useful in securing your pup, they could still escape and get lost. We have reviewed the five (5) best GPS dog trackers and collars to ensure that you never have to worry about losing your pet.
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FitBark GPS Dog Tracker– BEST OVERALL
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Tractive LTE GPS Dog Tracker – BUDGET OPTION
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Whistle GO & GO – BEST WITH ACTIVITY TRACKER
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PetFon Pet GPS Tracker – BEST WITH NO SUBSCRIPTION FREE
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BARTUN GPS Pet Tracker – IDEAL FOR PUPPIES
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AT A GLANCE: OUR 5 BEST GPS DOG TRACKERS & COLLARS
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
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FitBark GPS Dog Tracker
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VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
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BUDGET OPTION
Tractive LTE GPS Dog Tracker
|
VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
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BEST WITH ACTIVITY TRACKER
Whistle GO & GO
|
VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
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BEST WITH NO SUBSCRIPTION FREE
PetFon Pet GPS Tracker
|
VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
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IDEAL FOR PUPPIES
BARTUN GPS Pet Tracker
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VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
An Overview of the Best GPS Dog Trackers & Collars
1. FitBark GPS Dog Tracker
The FitBark GPS dog tracker is a powerful device designed to enable dog parents to monitor their pups in real-time. With Verizon LTE-M coverage or Wi-Fi, you can trace your pets’ activities, making it easy to find them when they wander off.
This tracker comes with a companion app that allows you to track other metrics like calorie balance, distance traveled, sleep quality, skin condition, and anxiety, among others. With different subscription plans, you can get a host of additional features, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You also get to set goals for your dog, observe his/her progress, and compare results conveniently. The app is available on Android 6+ and iOS 12+ mobile platforms.
Considering the tracker’s lightweight design, it fits most collars without feeling bulky, regardless of dog size. Besides Wi-Fi and mobile network connections, it also allows Bluetooth connectivity for enhanced capabilities. With long battery life and the possibility of synchronization with Google Fit wearable devices, Apple Watch, Apple Health Kit, and smartphones, you have enough time to find a missing dog and monitor his/her behavior with ease.
Pros:
- Durable and waterproof design
- Long battery life
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Verizon cellular network connection capabilities
- Compatible with Google Fit wearable devices, Apple Watch, and other wearable devices
- Lightweight and fits on most dog collars
- A companion app for tracking health metrics
- Different subscription plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- The GPS takes time to calibrate
2.Tractive LTE GPS Dog Tracker
The Tractive LTE GPS dog tracker is another powerful device that grants users instant access to their dog’s location without any distance limit. Users can also access their pet’s location history to understand their furry friends’ habits or behavior based on their frequent visits.
With the companion app available on Android and iOS platforms, keeping tabs on your dog becomes much more manageable. The device also doubles as a fitness tracker, providing you with essential health information about your pup. You can also set up the “virtual fence” that notifies you when your dog strays beyond a specified distance. You can access other device features through a browser with internet connectivity in the absence of a smartphone.
Tractive LTE GPS tracker is waterproof with an integrated SIM Card that allows mobile network connectivity. There are several subscription plans with different features to suit your needs. It has a rechargeable battery that can last for up to five days.
Pros:
- Shockproof and waterproof design
- Rechargeable battery
- Unlimited GPS range
- Access to location history
- The companion app that is compatible with Android and iOS devices
- Different subscription plans
- Virtual fence
Cons:
- The GPS takes time to calibrate
- No monthly subscription plans
3.Whistle GO & GO
The Whistle Go & Go tracker is a powerful device that uses Google maps and the AT&T network to help you locate your pet when he/she strays from home. You get to trace your dog over long distances with accuracy, ensuring that your pet does not get missing.
It features a companion app that lets you monitor essential metrics in real-time on your smartphone. Users either get notified of their pup’s activities via the app, SMS, or email. You can get emergency help from licensed veterinary professionals through the TELE-VET feature on the app. The feature powered by VETINSIGHT is available on some subscription plans.
Whistle GO & GO comes with fitness tracking capabilities, providing routine wellness reports to help you detect any changes to your dog’s health. You can also set up notifications for these changes and share reports with your vet directly from the app. It is waterproof with a durable battery that can last for up to 10 days.
Pros:
- Lightweight with a waterproof design
- Long battery life
- Wi-Fi and AT&T cellular network connection capabilities
- Health and fitness monitoring
- Activity report with a 24-hour timeline
- Proactive notifications via the app, SMS, or email
- TELE-VET feature with instant access to experts in veterinary medicine
Cons:
- The AT&T cellular network connection is only usable in the US.
4.PetFon Pet GPS Tracker
For those looking to save money without paying recurring subscription fees, the PetFon GPS tracker is a suitable option. With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, users enjoy real-time tracking with a great deal of accuracy for free after purchase. It is also shockproof and waterproof, ensuring that you locate your dog even in the rain.
Users can download the companion app on their smartphones, which gives them access to other exciting features. You also get to view the location history and distance traveled by your furry friend via the app. The Geo-Fencing feature notifies you when your dog strays beyond a specified area.
This fitness tracker features an embedded high-gain antenna that guarantees accuracy even within a 3.5-mile radius. With the customizable alerts and multicolor led lights on the tracker, you can communicate remotely with your pet and find him/her in the dark. The rechargeable battery can last for up to 16 hours, giving you ample time to find your pet when it strays beyond the geo-fenced area.
Pros:
- Durable and waterproof design
- Free tracking with no subscription plans
- Lightweight and fits on most dog collars
- A companion app for accessing location history
- Geo-fencing with customizable voice commands
- Multicolor lights for visibility at night
- Embedded high-gain antenna for improved accuracy
Cons:
- Short battery life
- Tracking might be difficult in dense forests
5.BARTUN GPS Pet Tracker
The BARTUN GPS is another option for dog parents who want to monitor their pet’s real-time activities from any location. It comes with a SIM card that offers both international and USA network services at different prices. Activating the SIM card is relatively straightforward, as users can begin to enjoy the service and features instantly.
The fact that the device works with GPS+LBS+AGPS network and GPS satellites, locating, and monitoring your pet accurately becomes possible. You can track your pet via SMS, web browsers, and the companion app, which works on Android and iOS platforms. With a positioning accuracy of up to 5 meters and an unlimited GPS range, you can rest assured that your pup would never get missing.
The small size and lightweight design of the tracker make it ideal for puppies. It is waterproof and shockproof, durable enough to survive harsh weather. It works with 2G SIM cards, meaning that low 3G or LTE connection would never hinder finding a lost pet.
Pros:
- Shockproof and waterproof design
- Works with 2G networks
- Positioning accuracy of up to 5 meters
- Unlimited GPS range
- Works with GPS+LBS+AGPS network and GPS satellites
- Track your pet via SMS, web browsers, and the companion app
- Offers both international and USA network services
Cons:
- The GPS takes time to calibrate
- Some users find it difficult to set up
Would you like to keep track of what your dog is up to when they’re home and you aren’t? Check out our review of the best pet cameras for monitoring your dog!
What to Look for Before Buying GPS Dog Trackers & Collars?
Design: Most GPS Dog trackers and collars have a lightweight design that makes it less bulky when hanging on your puppy’s neck. Whether you have a GPS device that can be fitted on any collar or a collar with a built-in tracker, it should be designed in such a way that it does not obstruct free movement of your pet’s neck.
Your tracker should be shockproof and waterproof, ensuring that it is not damaged by harsh weather or impact from a fall. It should also be durable and not easily bitten off by another dog. Some models feature multicolor LEDs that blink, making visibility possible at night.
Range and Accuracy: Accuracy is key to finding your pup when it strays from your home. But first, you must find a signal. With Wi-Fi and cellular network connectivity, you can track your dog’s location, regardless of the distance. It should find a signal even if you are deep in the woods. Units that support only Bluetooth connectivity have a shorter range and are not ideal for remote areas. If your tracker supports cellular network connections, find one that offers 2G services internationally, ensuring that you enjoy its full features at all times.
Subscription Plans: Since some of these trackers use cellular networks, users would have to get subscription plans to enjoy their full capabilities. You get to choose between models that offer monthly or yearly plans to enjoy extended features. Researching the available packages ensures that you buy a tracker with subscription fees that fit into your budget.
Additional Features: A couple of features can make dog owners opt for one tracker over the other. Some models double as fitness trackers, helping you monitor your dog’s health metrics in real-time. One with the geofencing feature allows users to restrict their pup’s movement to a specified area. You can also access your pet’s location history, which holds vital information regarding some of its behaviors.
Do GPS dog trackers work?
GPS dog trackers can give accurate results, whether you are using Wi-Fi or cellular network connections. With companion apps, you can find out the places your pooch has visited in real-time. You can also get other important details that affect your pup’s overall health. For models that use only Bluetooth connections, your dog may get missing if it wanders out of range.
While most trackers provide companion apps that are compatible with Android and iOS devices, others allow interaction via SMS or a web-based interface accessible through an internet browser. Even with a GPS dog tracker on your dog, microchipping ensures that you are reunited with your dog if it ends up in a shelter.
Do you still need a GPS tracker when your dog has a microchip?
Microchips only contain the owner’s information, increasing the possibility of reuniting a lost dog with the pet guardian. But a GPS allows you to find the dog instantly on your own without help. Since their functions differ, one cannot replace the other. It is advisable to get the two devices to ensure that your furry friend remains with you throughout its lifetime.
Final Thoughts
Although most people forget to research battery life, it is an important consideration when choosing a GPS Dog tracker or collar. It is impacted by the GPS service that your device uses and its accuracy. Whether you travel with your dog or not, you would want to learn about his/her activities. Knowing that your furry friend is safe at all times makes owning these devices worth every penny.
