GPS cat collars allow owners to track the movements and location of their pet, saving them the trouble of looking for them outside.
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GPS cat collar: which model to choose in 2024?
Cats are true explorers and their owners often worry about them getting lost. Put your mind at ease with a GPS cat collar that will show your pet's location.
Are you adopting a kitten? Your garden isn't fenced and you're wondering how to track your cat’s location? Choose a GPS cat collar, which will allow you to quickly find your little friend. There are several models of GPS trackers for cats. Some work without a subscription, others require a SIM card or even incorporate a radio beacon or RFID chip.
Some cat trackers beep when the animal crosses the defined perimeter. You can also opt for an activity tracker that offers other functions, such as counting the calories your pet burns during the day or the time spent napping. We have selected a few models to help you choose the best GPS collar for your cat. With this comparison, you won't have to spend hours looking for your cat anymore!
Summary
What is a GPS cat collar?
A GPS collar for cats allows you not only to see the routes taken by your pet in the past but also to check their position in real-time! No need to look for them everywhere at dinner time as you can now geolocate them thanks to the activity tracker. Cats are true little explorers and love to wander more or less far from home.
A GPS collar for cats is a device that gives you the exact location of your pet. The data is transmitted by satellite to your mobile phone or computer through an application. GPS cat collars can also be called GPS trackers.
How does a cat GPS collar work?
A GPS cat collar is a device with a small GPS beacon that the animal wears around their neck. Here's how a GPS collar for cats works.
The more traditional trackers are small boxes that are attached to the cat's collar. They enable you to track your cat's movements using a free application that you can download to your mobile device.
Smart GPS trackers with applications offer more functionality. You can receive alerts if the cat crosses a certain perimeter and you can track absolutely everything they do throughout the day. Some devices even show the number of calories burned. There are also GPS units that have a microphone and allow you to talk to your pet.
Before you start using your cat's GPS tracking system, you need to define the area it will cover. The device will then beep if the pet crosses the limit.
Pet GPS devices are battery operated. The most suitable trackers for cats have a protective case that makes them completely waterproof.
How to choose a GPS collar for my cat?
New feline owners worried about losing their pet often wonder which is the best GPS collar for cats and how to choose the most effective device.
When choosing a GPS collar, there are several criteria to consider. Battery life is one of the most important ones. If the tracker runs out of power while your pet is out and about, you will lose contact with them. Choose a GPS cat collar that stays on for at least three days at a time. Depending on the cat's activity level, some GPS trackers can work for up to 8 days.
Check the size and weight of the GPS cat collar. If you have a kitten, make sure you choose a smaller collar that fits your pet's body and won't restrict their movements. There are some particularly light ones, weighing around 25 grams, which are perfect for young cats who like to jump. The GPS unit should be IP67 certified to guarantee it is waterproof. If you've never had a cat before, don't hesitate to ask your kitten's first owner for advice on buying a suitable GPS collar.
You can choose a model that has no distance limit or a GPS with a range of only 500 metres. Everything depends on your needs and the environment where your cat lives. The best GPS collars have no range limit, while those that operate by radio only cover the area of your garden. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi trackers are limited to 20-30 metres.
Think of any additional features you might be interested in. Some GPS collars keep a history of your cat's whereabouts, while others allow you to create virtual fences to mark a particular area. Some models tell you how many calories your pet has burned in a day, or how many hours they have spent napping.
Should I opt for a GPS Cat Collar with or without a subscription?
Each system has its advantages and disadvantages and it's up to you to choose the best GPS cat collar for your needs.
GPS cat trackers without a subscription tend to be more compact than subscription devices. Lighter in weight, they appeal to owners of small cats who are worried about making their cat uncomfortable with the GPS tag. These no-subscription cat GPS collars also offer longer battery life.
Moreover, this type of GPS uses public frequencies and can therefore be subject to interference. Mobile networks are quickly saturated and the pet's movements are not sent in real-time.
GPS collars for cats without a subscription are therefore suitable for cats who do not go far from home. They are ideal for tracking pets in a large garden, for example, or if they go to the neighbour's house.
GPS collars with a subscription have a built-in SIM card. They are generally multi-country and multi-operator and have no risk of white zones. Using the SIM card, your cat's GPS is constantly connected to the server and their location can be sent to you in real-time. There is also no distance limit, unlike the GPS collar without a subscription.
