Cat trackers for kitties about town

It’s safe to say that many of our feline friends walk to the beat of their own drum, but what about when they fence-hop one fence too far? Here we’re exploring cat trackers that’ll give pet parents and house sitters peace of mind, even for top hide and seek experts. So while we’re sure your kitty is full of street savvy, investing in a cat GPS tracker means safer pets and happier pet parents. Let’s take a look at what you need to know when buying, before we get into the most popular trackers on the market…

What to consider when searching for the best cat tracker

Not all cat trackers are made equal - ranging from subscription to non-subscription, app to app-free, not to mention all the types of tracking technologies. If you’re searching for a tracking device and struggling to see the wood for the trees, not to worry. Before we take a look at some of the most popular pet trackers on the market, let’s first explore what you need to consider before buying...

Type of tracking technology

This is one of the most important factors when choosing your cat tracker. Depending on whether the tracker you choose uses GPS, Bluetooth, cellular or a form of radio frequency technology, the price and method of tracking will change. Radio frequency and bluetooth trackers tend to be on the cheaper end, tracking your kitty through a handheld tracking device that beeps and flashes when you’re getting nearer. A cat GPS tracker on the other hand is usually on the pricier end as it’s able to track your cat from anywhere (provided it’s in an area where this can be picked up), and is often connected to an app where you can set up virtual fences, where many other activities can be tracked.

Range

GPS locators are of course the best for worldwide tracking. So in theory, you’ll be able to know where your kitty is gallivanting even if you’re on the other side of the world. This is because most GPS cat trackers tend to be connected to an app, meaning you don’t need to be within any proximity to your kitty to know where they are. Cheaper yet smaller in range, Bluetooth and radio frequency trackers are a little less reliable, but handy if you need to locate your kitty in a confined area.

Price

The price of cat trackers varies massively. GPS locators tend to be the most expensive, with companies charging an additional subscription fee to make use of the app where all the tracking takes place. If you’d (understandably) rather not spend over $100 on a pet tracker, avoid cat GPS trackers and opt for a Bluetooth-operated or radio frequency tracker.

Subscription type

Pet trackers that rely on GPS (and sometimes other tracking technologies) often charge a monthly subscription for use of their app, where you can track your kitty’s whereabouts. Lots of trackers on the market are able to track a lot more than just location on a map, so if it’s in your budget, the subscription-based trackers can be super handy. If you’d rather not pay extra each month though, your best bet is to opt for a handheld tracker that operates via Bluetooth or radio frequency.

Battery life 

Be sure to take a look at the battery life of your prospective cat tracker, as it can vary from a couple of days to up to a week. 

Size and weight

If you’re opting for a cat tracking collar, it’s best to keep it as light, small and cat-friendly as possible - you don’t want something that’s going to upset your feline friend or weigh them down.

Track location and more

Lots of the high-end cat GPS trackers and GPS cat collarsare able to track a whole lot more than just your kitty’s whereabouts. So, if you’re opting for an app-based tracker, take a look at what else you could be getting an eye into. Many have built-in activity monitors and share information on your kitty’s health, distance covered, sleep quality and play time.

Popular cat trackers

1. Jiobit dog and cat location monitor
2. Tractive GPS tracker for cats
3. Tabcat cat collar tracker for cats
4. Weenect cat tracker
5. Girafus cat tracker
6. FitBark cat tracker

Jiobit dog and cat location monitor

This handy cat tracker from Jiobit combines tracking types between cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a GPS locator. It’s always a great sign when a tracker has molded multiple ways to track your kitty, helping you rest safe in the knowledge that no matter where you are and how much signal you’ve got, you’re likely to successfully track your precious feline friend. Simply download the accompanying mobile app, and you’ll be able to know your kitty’s whereabouts on demand with geo-fenced areas and real-time alerts.

Why we like it

• Multiple tracking types (GPS, Bluetooth, cellular and Wi-Fi)
• Long-lasting battery
• Easily attaches to your cat’s collar
• Track your kitty’s whereabouts via the mobile app
• Real-time alerts
• Lightweight
• Water-resistant
• Compatible with Apple iOS and Android

Tractive GPS tracker for cats

A cat GPS tracker is great for knowing your kitty’s whereabouts, but what about when they’ve wandered too far, and might even be lost? Well with this cat collar with GPS from Tractive and their monthly fee, you can activate ‘live’ mode, so you can see your kitty’s exact movements as they happen. And of course, it’s not your choice when your kitty goes astray, so if they’re lost in the dark, this tracker makes it a whole lot easier to find them. How? Simply activate the LED light attached to the tracker from your phone. That way, you can spot your kitty in the dark, and so can others. And with no distance limitations, finding your precious pet is a whole lot simpler.

Why we like it

• Custom virtual fences
• Receive alerts when your cat strays
• LED-fixed tracker which can be turned on remotely
• Live tracking can be activated
• Curved shape for comfort
• Power-saving mode 
• 7 days of battery life
• GPS location

Tabcat cat collar tracker for cats

Unlike other pet GPS trackers, this tracker from Tabcat uses radio frequency technology which works over a wider range than Bluetooth trackers, and claims to provide better location accuracy than GPS trackers. And instead of tracking your kitty via an app, like most other cat trackers on the market, Tabcat have designed their own handset that lights up and emits noises that increase in volume when you’re nearing your kitty. While this is a handy feature, the tracker will need to be within 500 feet of the handset, so not so handy if your kitty has seriously strayed, but great if you know a rough location.

Why we like it

• Super lightweight
• Specifically designed for cats
• Radio frequency tracking technology
• Two years warranty
• No monthly subscription fee
• 30-day money back guarantee

Weenect cat tracker

This cat GPS tracker allows you to track your pet’s location in real time with no limit on distance. With the monthly subscription fee for use of the app, you can rest assured you’ll be able to track down your kitty, even if they’re lost in the countryside (unless there’s no cellular service in your area, where the tracker will stop working). Along with tracking your cat’s location, the Weenect tracker allows you to also monitor your kitty’s previous gallavants through location history, plus their time spent sleeping and playing. You can also activate the tracker (through a gentle vibration or ringing noise) to recall your kitty when you’d like them home. How well this works on strong-minded felines though, is another conversation.

Why we like it

• No distance limit
• GPS technology
• Additional tracking such as sleeping and playing
• Cat training module on the app
• Lightweight

Girafus cat tracker

A great budget option, this cat tracker from Girafus requires no subscription fee, so tracking your kitty (or multiple cats) on a budget doesn’t have to break the bank. Despite its radio frequency technology, cats can be tracked for up to 1,600 feet away (which is quite far in the world of radio frequency trackers). Functioning both indoors and out, the Girafus tracker signals a high-pitched tone and flashing, multi-colored lights to let you know that it’s detected the tracker (and your lost kitty).

Why we like it

• Long-range radio frequency tracker
• No subscription fee and no app
• Easily slips onto slim collars
• Up to 30 days battery life
• One handset works with up to four trackers (ideal for multi-kitty households)

FitBark cat tracker

With a monthly subscription fee, this GPS cat tracker from FitBark helps you to know your kitty’s whereabouts with their handy app. Get a notification when your kitty enters or leaves your Wi-Fi zone, and set up other ‘safe’ zones, just in case they’re paying a family or friend a visit. Along with location tracking, the app also allows you to keep an eye on your kitty’s sleep quality, calories burned, distance traveled and fitness levels.

Why we like it

• Multiple ‘safe’ zones can be set up
• Attaches to your cat’s collar, so you don’t need to buy a new one
• Track other aspects of your cat’s behavior like sleep and distance traveled
• One year warranty
• Lightweight
• Battery lasts between 10 and 20 days

Related article: Top Apps for Cats

Want to track your pooch, too? 

Realized how useful a GPS pet tracker could be in your life? While it’s not nearly as common for other four-legged friends to be trusted on lone walkies, it’s still super handy to use a tracker, should the worst happen. So if you’re interested in keeping tabs on your other furry family members, check out this blog on GPS dog collars.