Most people reading this post will have microchipped their cat – so do you need to get a GPS cat collar? The answer to that question depends on multiple factors. Also, if you are looking to be able to track and trace your favourite feline a GPS cat collar is not the only option.
Find out what factors you should consider when deciding about getting a GPS cat collar as well as what other devices are available to keep track of your kitty in my post.
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How do I know if I need a GPS cat collar?
GPS or radio frequency are 2 different technologies which can track the location of your cat. This can be useful in several circumstances. The first and most obvious situation is if your cat goes missing. Nearly 1/3 of cats will go missing throughout their lifetime!
Many missing cats are found through their microchip but remember this requires someone to take your cat somewhere to have the microchip read. And it also requires you to make sure that all of your contact details linked to that microchip are up to date.
The second reason for tracking your cat is that you may wish to know how far your cat travels for health reasons eg how much exercise is your cat getting or is it stopping somewhere and perhaps getting an extra meal?
The third reason is simple curiosity. Our cats can be quite enigmatic. In particular I wonder what my cat gets up to at night. A tracking device will help unravel some of your cat’s mysteries!
Cat Breed and Personality – and your Personality!
Some cat breeds tend to be more adventurous than others. For example, Alexei is a siberian cat. This means that his back legs are longer than his front legs. This allows him to jump higher and farther and he is a natural explorer.
Different cats have different personalities. Your cat may be more of a quiet homebody and therefore you are unlikely to need to keep track of its whereabouts. However, if your gregarious kitty is the life of the party and always jumping at windows you may want to be able to track him or her.
If your cat has not been neutered it may also be more likely to head out to meet a potential partner for mating.
A critical factor is your personality as a cat owner. Are you a worrier? A planner? In those cases you may well want to get a tracking device for your cat for your own peace of mind.
Your Home
Indoor cats are of course unlikely to need a tracking device – unless you have a concern that they would like to try the outside world. And for outside cats it may seem natural to get some kind of tracking device. But what if your cat is younger or inbetween?
If your home means it could be quite easy for your cat to get out then a GPS cat collar may be a good idea. For example, I have a balcony that Alexei can jump up on. Once he is up it is only a couple of jumps to an adjoining wall and then to the roof of neighbour’s. I try to keep Alexei off the balcony but can’t always succeed and he is fast!
A change in your cat’s world
Changes to the world around your cat may lead them to be more interested in exploring the outdoors. This is particularly relevant if you have moved. Of course, if you have moved your cat won’t be so familiar with the new area and is more likely to get lost.
Changes within the home can also trigger exploring in your cat. A new baby or the introduction of another pet may leave your cat feeling neglected and keen to seek other options for attention. Or if your cat has been used to company or entertaiment and then it is withdrawn eg returning to work after a lockdown your cat may seek to explore to relieve boredom.
10 Things to think about when choosing a GPS Cat Collar
There are several factors to consider when purchasing a GPS collar for your cat:
1. Technology
As we know from our phones and laptops technology is constantly changing and this is also true for the technology used in tracking cats. Most modern trackers use GPS satellite signals and the mobile phone network. Some trackers still use radio signals and others may use bluetooth.
2. Battery Life
Battery life can vary quite a bit across different cat GPS tracking devices. Remember, the battery will need to be effective for your cat to be found. And like all your electronic devices the tracker will need to be charged regularly. Many of the GPS cat collars come with 2 batteries so you can still be using one whilst you are charging the other.
Think about your cat’s habits and where you live. How long does your cat spend outside? How far do you think your cat would travel? This will help you with choosing the right battery life.
3. Location History
If your curious about what your kitty gets up to then you’ll be interested in tracking your kitty no matter where they go. However, being able to see where your cat has gone in the past could be very helpful if your cat went missing eg you can visit their most common haunts first.
4. Update Frequency
How frequently does the device update? Most of these devices won’t be “live” 24/7. Again, does your cat like to keep exploring or does it tend to find somewhere cozy to relax?
If your cat likes to move you will want a greater frequency of updates. Tracking your cat’s location history can help with making this decision.
Ideally, your cat tracker will minimise draining battery life when it is at home or somewhere safe. If the tracker is constantly turned on battery life will be used up quickly. It is ideal to switch to life frequency only when you are looking for your cat.
5. App
Is the device linked with an app? Does it require an app for its use? And if so is this an app that is available to your phone type and network?
6. Geofence
Some devices come with geofences. This means you can set it to notify you if your cat passes a certain boundary eg a gate or door. Again, how helpful a geofence is will depend on the type of property your live in and your cat’s habits.
7. SIM card
Does the device come with its own SIM card or do you need to purchase a separate SIM card? And what are the plan options?
8. Value for Money
Of course, this is a given but particularly when it comes to technology purchases. The GPS cat collar options available vary markedly in price. That is why it is even more important to review the factors in this list to make sure that you are not spending too much on features you may well not use.
9.Size
It doesn’t matter how good the technology – if the cat tracker is too large your cat may well end up playing with it and become keen to dislodge it. Also, the collar and the manner in which the tracker is adhered needs to be comfortable and ideally light. The perfect world is that your cat doesn’t even know that its gps collar is there.
10. Light and Sound
Trackers that can light up and/or make a sound when required can be very useful – particularly if you have a cat that likes to curl up in dark and distant parts of your home.
1. Tractive GPS Cat collar
Tractive is an all in one cat tracker with a leather collar. The collar can be linked to your smart phone or browser. Once you have purchased the collar sign up for a monthly subscription plan and download the Tractive app.
Tractive features the following:
Live Tracking – location updates every 2-3 seconds and there are no distance limitations
Virtual Fence
Worldwide Coverage through a mobile network
Is 100% waterproof
Up to 5 days battery life
Lighter than 30g
This GPS cat collar also offers activity monitoring so you can see how long your cat spends napping (which could be concerning) and how much time it spends moving around. It also keeps your cat’s location history and has a heatmap.
The design is quite sleek and comfortable for cats. And there is no way that the cat can turn the GPS off. The tracker clips on to the collar. Tractive is well known for having a very simple set up and being super easy to use. Monthly subscription plans start at £3.75.
There is an option in the app to press the button and the tracking collar will beep and light up. This is a great option for indoor cats who like to explore.
Tractive is particularly good for adventurous kitties. If you live in a more rural area or in the UK the waterproof feature is a big positive. The live tracking is good for cats who spend alot of time on the move eg if they go missing you can track them moving.
The battery life will be used up quickly if you keep it on live tracking mode. It is best to keep the system on normal mode and only switch to live tracking when you need to find your cat.
Tractive is not so well suited if you own more than one cat as it does not track multiple cats. Also, the tracking is only as good as the mobile signal in your area so if you have poor signal where you live this may not be the best option for you.
Finally, Tractive is recommended for cats 4kg and over so it is not appropriate for kittens and small cats.
2. Pawtrack
Pawtrack says that it is the only tracking device that was designed exclusively for cats. The collar is available in 3 different sizes to suit your cat as well as being adjustable. It also unfastens if your cat gets stuck.
This GPS cat collar takes regular GPS positions as well as tracking on demand. The GPS tracker has been placed so it will sit at the back of your cat’s neck – quite a few of the other options have the tracker under your cats chin which means it isn’t as effective. And it comes with an app as well as browser access.
There are three ways to look at what your cat has been up to – playback, heatmap and path. Pawtrack is the only cat gps collar that operates on 4 tracking systems – cellular, GPS, Beacon and wifi. As a result it claims to have the most accurate tracking.
Regular and on demand tracking
Virtual Fence
Worldwide Coverage through a mobile network
Splashproof
Up to 2 days battery life
Weighs 35gms
This collar also includes a Wi-fi antenna. That means it can detect when your home wifi system can be accessed. Once it has detected your home wifi it will put itself to sleep apart from regular checks to make sure your cat is still within the home wifi signal. This is great for battery life.
Pawtrack is particularly good if you have a kitten or a smaller cat. Quite a few of the other GPS cat collars are also available for dogs and tend to require a larger animal to be effective.
3. Tabcat
Tabcat is different from most other GPS cat collars because it uses radio frequency. This means it can help you locate your cat no matter where it is. GPS and cellular will struggle to find your cat within your home.
Tabcat’s range is 122 metres. If you are looking for your cat press the locate button on the remote control which comes with Tabcat. The cat’s collar will beep. Ideally, cats can be trained to return home or to a set area based on the alarm beeping.
The remote control/handset uses a light system to help guide you to where the signal is strongest and hopefully the location of your favourite feline.
Tabcat says that the large majority of cats don’t wander more than its 120 metres from home. However, if you happen to have a super adventurous cat this may not be the best option for you.
This is also the smallest cat tracker option – weighing in at just 6 grams. However, it is not waterproof or water resistant. And it has a longer battery life than a GPS tracker. And it can track up to 4 cats.
Of course, this means that Tabcat does not have an app – nor does it have a monthly subscription plan as it is based on radio frequency so unlike the other options in this post the only cost is the initial purchase price.
4. Pawfit
The tag uses the latest text to speech technology and you can also use the voice function to help to train your cat. You can even tell your cat to come home when you’re not there! This tracker also comes with alerts for when your cat is in more extreme weather conditions as well as an alert when your cat’s tracker is removed. ⇒ 5. Weenect
One of its main points of difference is that it offers a training module. The collar can be set to to vibrate or ring at meal times. This may well then associate the ring or vibration with food meaning when it is enacted your cat will quickly head to you! Weenect allows you to keep track of your cat in 3 different ways: classic maps or satellite view, compass or radar. This means you should always be able to find out exactly where your cat is – and you can ring your cat’s collar if you can’t quite figure it out. And this does mean that you can actually ring your cat! There is a microphone and you will receive up to 10 minutes of talk time a month. So your cat will hear your voice – and you will be able to hear your cat. As with most of the other GPS Cat collars in this article, Weenect comes with a geofence. The tracker weighs 25 grams and can be attached to your cat’s collar. The battery lasts up to 3 days in stand by mode and takes 3 hours to fully charge. 
CYNTHIA SNEED
Saturday 24th of October 2020
Very important info. Even indoor cats need a tracker collar bc someone might inadvertently let them outside. And being able to live communicate with your cat is brilliant. Will save a huge percentage of lost kitties!
thediscerningcat
Saturday 24th of October 2020
I hope so Cynthia! And I very much hope it will mean that Alexei won't get lost!