While the Tabcat pet tracker is efficient, reliable and well-loved, we recognize that it’s always good to have more options. While Tabcat’s patented RF technology can be used to track your furry companions just about anywhere, it may or may not be the best solution for you. It does cover a range of up to 400 feet and is accurate up to 1-inch. But what if accuracy is not as important and you want to stretch that range a little further?
There are many alternatives that offer GPS-functionality albeit primarily designed for dogs which allows you to see your pet’s general location on a much larger scale. Hopefully, your pet isn’t traveling too far from home, so a greater range may not always be necessary. However, for when it is necessary, there are some good GPS enabled pet trackers out there.
Here are some of the most notable trackers on the market for 2019:
1. Tabcat – Best Tracker for Cats
We can’t start a list without including the Tabcat tracker. The tracker attaches to your pet’s collar and transmits data to a small handset, akin to a remote. Each handset can track up to four pets at a time.
It beeps and illuminates to indicate the location of your pet, providing enough information to find your cat to within an inch of their actual location. It’s explicitly designed to help you find your cat indoors and out, wherever they are lost or hiding, and pinpoints their exact location. A red light tells you that you’re in range and additional green and amber lights indicate exactly which way to walk to find your cat.
Tabcat covers a range of up to 400 feet, can locate up to 4 cats, and does not require any monthly subscription or fees to use.
Specs:
- Size: 1.3″ diameter x 0.2″ (homing tag)
- Weight: 6g (0.21 oz)
- Cost (Over 2 Years): $99.99 (remote + 4 homing tags)
- Battery Life: Up to 1 year
2. Whistle 3 – Best Mobile App
The Whistle 3 is a small, collar-mounted device that uses AT&T’s network for coverage. No, that doesn’t mean you need an active subscription to that particular wireless carrier, but you will need an active subscription through Whistle’s service to use the GPS features.
A mobile app for Android and iOS allows you to track your pet’s whereabouts. You’ll also receive additional tracking support for health monitoring — such as daily activity — and time spent at various locations. For example, if your pet leaves local WiFi boundaries, it will tell you how long they spent outside that particular coverage area.
The tracker is waterproof up to 3 feet for 30 minutes, and purportedly “durable” to withstand most outdoor conditions. Battery life is said to last between three and seven days, depending on signal strength and time spent outside of local WiFi coverage.
Monthly subscription plans range from $7 to $10 and vary depending on coverage and features.
Specs:
- Size: 1.45″ x 1.82″ x 0.61″
- Weight: 26.08g (0.92 oz)
- Cost (Over 2 Years): $266.75 ($99.95 for tracker + $166.80 for 2-year plan)
- Battery Life: Up to 7 days
3. Findster Duo – Best Modular Tracker
While Findster Duo is GPS enabled and offers real-time tracking, it only supports a range of up to a half mile. But the real benefit is that it doesn’t require any monthly fees to use. Just strap the tracker on your pet’s collar and away you go — or your furry companion anyway.
The system is waterproof up to 3 feet, which is good news in case your pet decides to take a quick swim. In addition, it offers basic health tracking features so you can ensure your companion is staying healthy. It can also be used to track up to three different pets at a time.
Specs:
- Size: 2″ x 2″ x 0.5″
- Weight: 21g (0.74 oz)
- Cost (Over 2 Years): $149.99 for one tracker, $199.99 for two
- Battery Life: 12 hours with tracking, up to 5 days without
4. Bartun Mini Pet Tracker – Cheapest Tracker
Bartun attaches to your dog or cat’s collar and sends information via GSM networks to mobile, either through a companion app or SMS. The tracker is IP67 water-resistant and comes with a SIM card pre-installed.
Just install and go. You will need a subscription to use GPS tracking after 30 days, but no price is listed.
Specs:
- Size: N/A
- Weight: 136g (4.8 oz)
- Cost (Over 2 Years): $48.99 + monthly fee (not listed)
- Battery Life: N/A
5. Talis-US Pet GPS Tracker – Best Multi-Function Tracker
Talis does not require any monthly subscription, but you will need to buy and install a Speedtalk Mobile prepaid SIM. After it’s setup, Talis reports its location in real-time using GPS along with several health stats such as fitness and activity levels, sleep quality and more.
The tracker is waterproof, while the battery will last up to 12-hours with the GPS on at all times. You can extend battery life by turning off GPS.
Specs:
- Size: 2.6″ x 2″ x 0.9″
- Weight: 136g (4.8 oz)
- Cost (Over 2 Years): $69.88
- Battery Life: Up to 1 day
6. GIBI – Best Replacement Collar
GIBI recently launched their 2nd generation pet tracker with some noticeable upgrades, including longer battery life, and improved accuracy in remote areas. The tracker is lightweight and water-resistant, which is definitely welcome. This is similar to other trackers as shown on Ideaing.
Instead of a modular unit that attaches to an existing collar, GIBI is a collar itself. Tracking the device is simple, as it’s done through a mobile companion app for Android and iOS. You can configure safe zones (geofencing) which also sends alerts anytime your pet enters or leaves.
GIBI requires a monthly subscription of $10 or $99 for the year to continue tracking its location.
Specs:
- Size: 2.8″ x 1.2″ x 0.5″
- Weight: 226g (8 oz)
- Cost (Over 2 Years): $297 ($99 for tracker + $198 for 2-year plan)
- Battery Life: Up to 3 days
7. Link AKC Smart Dog Collar – Best Tracker for Dogs
The Link AKC dog collar offers more than just GPS tracking, it also keeps you informed about your companion’s well-being. Obviously, the collar is intended for dogs, but it comes in several sizes from small to extra large. You may be able to use the smaller sizes on your cat, although it’s not recommended for animals under 10 pounds.
The collar itself is made of leather, while a tracking unit can be attached. A base station serves as the charger and acts as a receiver for the tracker. Everything is reported through a mobile companion app, available for iOS and Android.
The buy-in price is about $100, but you’ll need an active AKC membership to continue tracking your pets, which is about $10 per month.
Specs:
- Size: 15.3 x 0.8 x 0.2″
- Weight: 136g (4.8 oz)
- Cost (Over 2 Years): $295.80 ($129 for collar + $166.80 for 2-year plan)
- Battery Life: Up to 3.5 days
8. Tractive GPS Tracker – Most Versatile Tracker
Just like the other devices on this list, the Tractive GPS tracker has a mobile companion app — for Android and iOS — that you can use to keep an eye on your companion’s location. The device is a small modular unit that attaches to your pet’s collar. It’s both lightweight and waterproof, which is necessary considering your pet will probably spend a lot of time outside.
It has a pre-installed SIM card and uses live positioning (GPS) to deliver real-time updates about its current location. It does rely on T-Mobile coverage, which means you’ll need access to the wireless carrier’s networks in your area, at least in the US.
A monthly subscription fee is necessary to keep tracking enabled, which is $4.17 per month.
Specs:
- Size: 2″ x 1.61″ x 0.59″
- Weight: 50g (1.76 oz)
- Cost (Over 2 Years): $170.07 ($69.99 for tracker + $4.17 monthly fee)
- Battery Life: 2 to 5 days
Honorable Mentions
Because we couldn’t detail every cat or dog tracker in existence, we decided to include some honorable mentions too. These additional devices may or may not be appropriate for you and your companion.
Best Health Monitor:
PetPace Smart Collar
Finally, before we close out our list of the best pet trackers we thought it would be a good idea to highlight a different type of device.
PetPace is meant to help you monitor your pet’s health and vital stats. It constantly analyzes your pet’s vitals and physical activity and will send out alerts when something is amiss, like when your cat or dog is more lethargic than usual.
The idea is to help you diagnose or recognize potential problems as soon as possible, allowing you ample time to get them to a vet. It also provides pet owners with a more quantifiable way of measuring their furry companion’s overall health. Maybe your cat or dog needs to lose a little weight?
There are no GPS or location tracking features, but it’s still worth mentioning because who doesn’t want to know when their pet is sick or unhealthy?
There you have it! Those are the best GPS pet trackers for cats, dogs and any other type of pet you might want to track. Hey, you never know, Iguanas and other animals like to explore too!