Do you ever wonder where your cat goes and what they get up to when they aren’t at home? Well, thanks to cat trackers you can find out.
A good cat tracker will show you your cat’s current location, where they have been, the route they’ve walked and much more.
Below are what we are convinced are the three best cat trackers available:
Not all cat trackers are the same so we’re reviewing a selection to help you find one that offers the features you are looking for.
The above table is showing our carefully chosen top three Cat Tracking devices currently available in the UK.
We have reviewed a range of GPS collar, tag trackers and radio-frequency trackers to find out each of their features, pros and cons – you can read our review of each tracker by clicking the name of the device below or by skipping ahead to the product you are interested in.
Tractive ¦ Findster ¦ Weenect ¦ Tabcat ¦ petTracer ¦ Tailit ¦ PawTrack ¦ Whistle ¦ PawScout
If you’re not quite sure which device is the best fit for you please have a quick read through our buyers guide here.
Contents
1. Tractive IKATI GPS Cat Tracker Review
We are convinced that the Tractive IKATI is the best cat tracker available, this lightweight GPS tracker is packed full of useful features.
It is fast, precise and reliable and offers a range of tracking options at a very reasonable upfront price.
Users have said that Tractive is easy to use and allows them to give their cats freedom while having the peace of mind of being able to check where they are at any time.
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This tracker allows you to receive live location updates directly to the Tractive smartphone app and with no distance limitations you’ll never be left in the dark about where your curious kitty is.
There’s a good reason the Tractive IKATI pet tracker is so highly rated (on the Tractive website the device has received over 1700 reviews scoring an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars).
It is a reliable tracking system that allows you to see where your pet is in real-time and by using historical data and activity information you can also see what your cat has been up to.
This is a multi-layered tracker so rather than just seeing a dot on a map, Tractive takes it that extra mile providing you with information that answers questions cat owners have been asking for a long time.
Using this system, you can get to know your cat better than ever before, it will give you a unique glimpse into your cat’s activity and behaviour when they are not at home and you’ll find out where their favourite neighbourhood hangout spots are.
The app also allows you to set up a virtual fence which means you mark an area as a ‘safe zone’ for example your home and garden, then if your cat leaves this zone you will instantly receive a notification.
This is a fantastic feature that will help to put your mind at ease.
If your cat wanders out of the area you are comfortable with then you’ll know about it instantly and if you wanted to you could easily go outside and bring your cat back inside before they wander off too far.
The IKATI tracker works over any distance so you don’t have to worry about the signal cutting off if your cat wanders too far from home.
The basic subscription works in your home country and the premium option offers worldwide coverage!
To test this I put the tracker in my wifes car to see where she went, the journey was 5.83 miles, far further than even the most adventurous of cats would ever go.
It worked perfectly showing me exactly where she had been without having to engage ‘live’ mode.
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Another benefit of this tracker is the sturdiness of it. The last thing you want is for the tracker to fall off or break while your cat is out and about.
The small tracker simply clips to your cat’s collar and can survive whatever adventures your cat takes it on.
The simplicity of the system is a big plus too, it can be daunting to invest in new technology like this but it is actually very easy to set up and connect.
You simply need to download the app on a smartphone or iPad, put in the tracker code and then the app and tracker are linked up.
Tractive really couldn’t be more simple to setup, mine came with some charge already in the battery (but I recommend you plug yours into a USB port for a while just to make sure).
All I had to do was:
- install the app
- input the tracker number from the back of the device
- press one button on the tracker and it was working!
Turn the tracker on and attach it to your cat’s collar and you’ll be able to see their location in the app.
The app itself is very easy to navigate and you can fill in details about your cat and even include a picture of them if you’d like to.
The app gives you a couple of different map options so you can view the location on a satellite image or on a standard map.
The tracker clearly has a lot to offer but are there any cons to be aware of?
Here’s a couple of things some users have flagged up:
- The Tractive GPS Cat Tracker runs out of battery between 2 and 5 days depending on how much it is being used – If you regularly use the live tracking function for extended periods it quickly burns through the battery, however if you just have it in the normal mode with period location updates the battery will easily last for 5 days (or longer).
- There is a non-exchangeable SIM card within the tracker that relies on cellular networks in order to connect so if there is no mobile coverage in the area your cat is venturing it means you won’t receive the location updates – This works in the same way as your phone will sometimes have ‘no service’ in some areas. This can cause delays or intermittent service but this is not at the fault of the tracker. If you know your area has poor mobile coverage you may want to find an alternative tracking system to use.
- The tracker is recommended for use on cats larger than 4kg so it is not suitable for very small cats or kittens.
Despite these shortcomings the IKATI GPS seems to have a lot more to offer than a standard pet tracking system, below are the key features that make this tracker stand out against other options:
1. Virtual Fence
Something that catches our eye about this tracking system is the ability to create a virtual ‘safe zone’ around your home or your garden so that when your cat leaves this zone you will receive an instant alert either through a notification or email.
The safe zone is fully customizable; it’s easy to move, change and activate/deactivate too.
This allows you to personalize the tracking experience and means you don’t always have to be refreshing the map to know your pet is safe and close to home.
2. Live Tracking
After setting up the tracker and connecting it with the app you can see the exact location of your cat.
The live tracking mode updates the location of your cat every 2-3 seconds so gives you an accurate, up-to-date location.
As well as receiving the live information you can also see where your cat has been over the last few minutes allowing you to determine the direction they are going in.
3. Location Map with History
You can view the location map with the history of where your cat has been. In this mode, you can choose a date and time and view where your cat has been over that period.
You can also see a heat map which shows you where they have spent the most time.
4. Activity Information
Another interesting feature of the IKATI is that you can actually see your cat’s activity levels. This can be very helpful in monitoring their health and fitness.
The Tractive IKATI tracker is one of the most complete tracking systems available to help cat owners keep a closer eye on their adventurous companions.
The Design
The tracker itself weighs less than 30g and can be used for cats larger than 4kg. It can be attached to most collars using rubber clips and it sits comfortably without being irritating for your cat.
The battery lasts between 2 and 5 days (depending on signal and usage) and can be fully charged in just a couple of hours by simply plugging it into a USB port:
The IKATI tracker is durable, 100% waterproof and is shock-resistant too.
It has a helpful light and sound feature that can be controlled from the app and helps you narrow down your search and more easily locate your cat at night or in a dense area.
What You Get in the Box
When you buy the Tractive IKATI set you will receive:
- The GPS Tracker
- A USB Charger
- User Instructions
This system requires an active subscription plan in order for it to work.
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There are two plan options available:
Basic Plan
The basic plan is the cheapest option and costs £6.99 on a monthly plan, £44.99 on a yearly plan (£3.75 a month) or £79.90 (£3.33 a month) on a two-year plan.
The basic plan includes:
- GPS Tracking (2 – 60 minute intervals)
- Live Tracking
- Activity Monitoring
- Home Country Coverage
Premium Plan
This plan offers more features and costs £54.99 (£4.58 a month) for a one year plan, £89.90 (£3.75 a month) for a two-year plan or £179.90 (£3.00 a month) for a five-year plan.
The premium plan includes:
- GPS Tracking (2 – 60 minute intervals)
- Live Tracking
- Activity Monitoring
- Public & Family Sharing
- Worldwide Coverage
- Unlimited Location History
- Data Export Option
- Premium Customer Service
You may think that with lots of features and tracking options the app would be confusing or complicated to use but it’s really not.
The ease of use and customer support is fantastic and although using this product requires a subscription, it is worth the price.
Weight & Size: The Tractive Cat Tracker weighs 30g, is 72mm x 29mm x 16mm is suitable for use on cats weighing more than 4kg.
What’s Good:
- Live tracking mode
- Easy to use app
- Abundance of features
- Can personalize the map by adding a ‘safe zone’ geofence
What’s Bad:
- Requires an ongoing subscription to work
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Top Tip: Worried about letting your cat out on its own even with a tracker?
Use a cat harness and lead to help them safely get accustomed to their surroundings before giving them complete freedom.
2. Findster Duo Tracker
The Findster Duo is a GPS tracker that doesn’t charge you a monthly fee, doesn’t require cell coverage and works everywhere.
This well-designed tracker looks smart, works well and offers users multiple features.
Findster stands out from competitors because it doesn’t require a monthly subscription in order to use it.
This “pay once, use forever” system is an option that pet tracking systems have been lacking and before you worry that this means you’ll miss out on features, you won’t!
You get everything you need to track your pet including many features that are often seen on ‘premium’ subscriptions with other systems for example; family and friend sharing, location history and activity tracking.
The Findster Duo+ allows you to track your cat in real time and has a range of 0.8km in congested urban areas and around 4.8km in open outdoor areas.
It is best suited for tracking your pets outside rather than remote monitoring or indoor tracking.
The tag is shockproof and waterproof so should be able to handle any adventures your cat takes it on. However, some users would like to see a more secure tag attachment system.
The battery can last up to 7 days depending on usage and you can turn the GPS tracking on at the press of a button.
When the GPS is not on, the tag will still be tracking your cat’s activity levels.
The activity data is saved in the app where you can see summaries and your pet can earn badges by reaching goals and milestones.
When using the Findster App you can monitor your cat’s live location, see their location history and you can also create safe areas.
You will be immediately notified if your pet leaves the marked area.
The app also includes a built-in radar which shows you your distance from your cat and helps to guide you directly to their location.
The Findster tracker also has an LED light to help you track your pet in the dark.
The LED lights also indicate to you when the device is paired, turned on, turned off, has a good battery level, has a low battery level, is charging or is fully charged.
There are other indications too such as a blue light to show when an update is in process.
Weight & Size: The tag weighs 21g and is 5cm x 5cm x 1.3cm, it is recommended for use on pets over 3.5kg.
What’s Good:
- No monthly fees
- Easy to use
- Does not require cellular coverage
- Built-in radar shows your distance from your cat
What’s Bad:
- Communication range limited in built-up areas
- The battery life is short if in constant use
3. Weenect Tracker
The Weenect 2 is an impressive device that allows you to track your cat using the Weenect GPS app which is available on iPhone and Android.
It deserves to be considered among the best cat trackers available, if it’s not the best it’s a very close second to the Tractive IKATI.
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The app allows you to live track your cat with pinpoint accuracy and no distance limitation. You can see where they are in three distinct ways:
- Map – This shows a simple map interface with the location of your pet clearly mapped out on it making it easy to find where they are.
- Compass – Yes, you’ve guessed right, this method shows a simple compass showing the direction and distance of your pet.
- Radar – This is a cool virtual reality type interface (think Pokémon Go), which shows you where your cat is and how far away they are through a camera interface.
One of the most unusual features of the Weenect 2 is the fact that it can be used to call your pet!
The Weenect 2 uses a microphone and speaker to allow you to call your cat from the app on your phone to calm them down or tell them to come home.
You get up to 10 minutes of call time per month and the built-in microphone means you will be able to hear your cat too so you will quickly know if your cat is in distress or stuck somewhere.
The Weenect 2 tracking device communicates with the tracking collar every 30 seconds regardless of how far away your pet is.
One of the useful features of this tracker is that you can get the collar to ring, this is particularly useful if your pet has disappeared within the confines of your home.
Being able to get the collar to ring or vibrate can also be used for training purposes to teach your cat to come home when they hear the sound.
The best way of doing this is by making the collar buzz or ring when you feed your cat so they associate the two events.
Then when your cat is out and about and the collar buzzes they will know that if they come home they will get food.
You can also view your cat’s recent location history, allowing you to learn more about their territory, behaviour and movements. You’ll get to know your cat’s usual routine and their favourite hangout spots.
A few of the other features of the Weenect 2 Cat Collar are:
- Very good battery life lasting up to 3 days when left in standby mode and 3-hour recharge time.
- Allows you to set up Geofences so that you can receive alerts if your pet wanders too far.
- Water-resistant casing which will keep the tracking collar fully operational regardless of the weather.
Weight & size: this tracker is one of the smallest and lightest GPS on the market weighing only 25g.
What’s Good:
- Lightweight
- Water-Resistant
- Great price & full of features
- Voice call from any distance
What’s Bad:
- SIM card fee a minimum of £3 a month
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4. Tabcat Tracker (AKA Loc8tor)
The Tabcat uses radio frequency to track the location of your cat. You get a small, discreet tag to attach to your cat’s collar and a stylish receiver handset that will guide you in your cat’s direction.
The handset uses a light system to tell you the direction of the strongest signal so you can be led directly to your cat.
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As the tracking system uses radio frequency as opposed to GPS you can accurately find your cat indoors or outdoors at close range.
The range of the Tabcat Tracker is 122 meters (400 feet) (on a clear line of sight) so it isn’t as far as other systems but the good thing is that it does precisely track to within 2.5 centimeters of your cat.
Tabcat insists the range is sufficient as cats tend to stay close to home but it is important to keep the range in mind as cats can travel a lot further than this if something catches their eye!
A cool feature of the Tabcat system is that when you press the ‘locate’ button it activates a beep on the tag.
You can train your cat to associate this beep with a treat by pressing locate and giving your cat a treat a few times.
Before long, your cat will be making their own way home as soon as they hear the beep.
The tag, although small and lightweight, is not waterproof or even water-resistant.
You can buy additional covers to help protect the tag from water damage but the lack of built-in water resistance does seem like a bit of an oversight.
Tabcat have decided not to use GPS within their tracker as they have found it too be too large for comfortable use on cats, it also has a short battery life and a tendency to lose signal if your cat is indoors and is less accurate than radio technology.
The Tabcat tracker is noisier than a GPS tracker as it uses a series of lights and beeps to guide you and the beeps increase in frequency as you get closer to your cat.
The Tabcat tracker is simple to use, requires little setup and has no annual subscription fee.
Weight & size: the Tabcat tag weighs just 6 grams making it one of the lightest on the market. The circular tag are the smallest we have seen at 3.2cm x 3.2cm x 0.5cm.
For more information, you can read our full review of the Tabcat tracker here.
What’s Good:
- Small, lightweight tags – ideal for smaller cats
- No annual fees
- Beep sound which you can easily train your cat to respond to
What’s Bad:
- Limited Range
- No mobile app
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5. petTracer Review
petTracer combines multiple tracking technologies in one device meaning you can receive accurate and reliable location data for your cat even when GPS is not available.
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The tracker does not come with a dedicated app but you can easily use the browser on any phone, computer or tablet to access your personal account on the petTracer portal.
The combination of technologies means that petTracer can be used to find your cat both indoors or outdoors accurately and effectively within the 1 mile collar range (there is a 3.14 square mile maximum area coverage with this device).
The three types of technology used to obtain an accurate signal are:
- Motion Sensor – the motion sensor can help save battery life as it increases or decreases the amount of GPS positions needed to get your cats location.
- GPS – coordinates are collected by GPS signal.
- Radio – the exact location is sent via radio which allows you to view your cats position in real time.
The radio signal means you can find your cats location even when there is no GPS reading.
This can often happen if cats are in closed spaces, particularly if they have found their way into garages or outbuildings.
Rather than being a device that you clip onto a collar, the petTracer is itself a lightweight collar. It is designed specifically for use on cats and is durable while remaining flexible and comfortable.
The collar battery lasts up to 30 days on one charge which is the longest battery life of the cat trackers currently on the market.
You will receive an email to alert you when the battery is low, a full charge takes 2.5 hours.
There are four search modes to choose from:
- Fast: GPS position sent every 10 minutes when cat is active and every 60 minutes when not active
- Standard: GPS position sent every 30 minutes when cat is active and every 3 hours when not active
- Slow: GPS position sent every 4 hours when cat is active and every 24 hours when not active
- Search: GPS position sent every 15 seconds.
You can view your cat’s historical data by choosing the time frame you’d like to know about and selecting the map type you would like to see.
There are three map types allowing you to view the exact locations of your cat illustrated by circles, view their routes using lines or see where they spend most of their time using a heat map.
The petTracer can handle all weather conditions and has an LED light to help you locate your cat when it is dark outside.
Another important feature is the safety buckle that will release if your cat gets into trouble or the collar gets snagged on anything.
The petTracer has interesting features but the coverage, need for a constant Wi-Fi signal and high cost let it down slightly.
Weight & size: The petTracer collar weighs 34g, its minimum circumference is 21.5cm.
What’s Good:
- Long battery life of up to 30 days on one charge
- More accurate location data
- Lightweight
- Works indoors and outdoors
What’s Bad:
- Requires a subscription (minimum of 1 year)
- Short distance coverage
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6. Tailit Tracker
One of the newer cat trackers on the market, the Tailit Tracker is possibly the smallest cat GPS tracker available at the size of a 50p coin.
It may be small but with a battery life of two weeks, it packs plenty of power too.
Thanks to the small size of the tracker it can be used on all cats, many of the cat GPS trackers are bulky, awkward and heavy which mean they are only really suitable for larger cats but the Tailit Tracker ensures even smaller cats can be comfortable and safely tracked.
This device also comes with an easy-release collar so it will open if there is pressure put on the collar ensuring if the collar gets snagged or stuck your cat will be safe.
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It’s not only your cat’s safety that is a priority for Tailit, they also ensure the cat tracker is encrypted in order to protect your cybersecurity – something that many GPS trackers do not take into account.
This additional security also means that less data is being used which supports the battery life too.
This tracker operates with a user-friendly app that is available in multiple languages to help break down any barriers between the users and a smooth, easy-to-understand experience.
When live tracking is turned on the location updates every 5 seconds so you can see exactly where your cat is at any time.
This system of tracking when you need it (rather than tracking constantly with automatic updates) helps to conserve battery life so you don’t need to charge the collar every day and worry the tracker will run out of battery when you need it most.
If you’ve narrowed down on your cat but they are on the move you can activate ‘live’ which will show your cats real-time position on the map (updating every second).
This feature can be used for 5 minutes before you need to approve further use as monitoring the location live uses more battery. This is an amazing feature for emergency situations.
There is a light and a sound feature on the Tailit Cat Tracker, this helps you to find your cat in the dark or if they have hidden.
These features are particularly helpful if your cat has become trapped or is hiding and you still cannot see them even when you are close to their GPS location.
Another interesting feature of the Tailit tracker is that when your cat is indoors, it uses a Wi-Fi chip to locate your cat.
Although this doesn’t show your cats exact location within the house, it will show that your cat is inside and then you can use the sound and light features mentioned above to find them.
There’s also a backup LBS location system that helps to locate your cat when they are out of GPS signal and out of Wi-Fi signal.
The LBS location will show you the area your cat is in allowing you to narrow down your search.
Again, the sound and light features will be useful here to pin-point your cat’s exact location.
Weight and Size: At only 23g and a size of 27mm x 42mm x12mm this may be the smallest cat GPS tracker available.
What’s Good:
- Small tracker size
- Long battery life
- Utilizes multiple location technologies
- Offers light and sound features to help you pin-point your cat’s location
What’s Bad:
- The instruction manual is very basic
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7. PawTrack
Pawtrack are an experienced company that have been making tracking collars for cats for over 10 years.
They offer cat collars in three sizes so you can ensure you get the perfect size to comfortably fit your cat.
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PawTrack: Use coupon code Tux2 for 2 months free tracking |
One of their unique selling points is the fact that they have their GPS on the back of the neck, rather than slung under the cat’s chin as they commonly are with the majority of trackers.
This makes a crucial difference when it comes to accuracy, as the GPS antenna is facing the sky to help get the best positions possible and ensure that they will get as much signal as possible.
The Pawtrack collar offers automated tracking that updates every 6 minutes as well as on demand tracking.
This can help you to see where your cat goes and will help you to build up an idea of your cat’s behaviour.
There’s no limit to how much you can track your cat and how much data is used so you can track your cat as much as you want.
There are four levels of tracking used on the Pawtrack collar, this includes Wi-Fi that recognizes when your cat comes home or goes out and will send you a notification to let you know.
When your cat is at home the Wi-Fi chip will connect to the home Wi-Fi and will automatically shut down the collar to conserve battery.
The collar also uses GPS, cellular and beacon tracking systems to ensure you can always get an accurate location on your cat even when they are in challenging environments.
The tracking system comes with 2 detachable rechargeable batteries which each last up to 2 days.
To track your cat, you will need to log onto the app (multiple users can log into the same account which is very handy).
The app is full of great features: there are the usual geofence and low battery alerts, but there are also heat maps, animated playbacks and path drawings showing what your cat gets up to. You can also see up to a month’s tracking on your screen.
For those more technically minded you can send a .csv with all your cats’ data and GPS positions on it.
For Android users, there is an additional feature of a Wi-Fi beacon in case your collar is lost, it will help guide you in by turning the collar into a mini Wi-Fi hub.
Weight & Size: The collar weighs just 35g and they are available in three different sizes.
What’s Good:
- Sleek, smart design
- Two batteries for constant tracking
- Great value
- User-friendly app
What’s Bad:
- 2-day battery life
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PawTrack: Use coupon code Tux2 for 2 months free tracking |
8. Whistle Tracker
The Whistle Tracker is a tracker suitable for both dogs and cats, it has not been designed specifically for cats but it is recommended for use with pets over 3.6kg so it should be fine for medium to large cats.
It may not be the best choice for smaller cats as it is quite a chunky tracker.
Once you have charged the device and attached it onto your pet’s collar you can log onto the Whistle App and monitor your pet’s location and activity.
The tracker uses GPS, Wi-Fi and cellular technology to provide you with your pet’s accurate location.
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The Whistle Tracker allows you to track your cat’s location, the live mode gives you real-time tracking that updates every 15 seconds.
You can set up safe places on the app and receive alerts when your pet leaves the safe zone or has achieved activity goals.
While this is a tracker, it has a lot of features dedicated to your pet’s health and fitness and is not too dissimilar to a Fitbit!
Your pet’s activity is tracked and the app takes a record of the distance travelled, active minutes and calories burned which can be a very helpful feature if you are trying to increase your cat’s daily activity.
Whistle also tracks behaviours such as licking, scratching and napping.
You can be notified of behaviour changes and can even email the pet health reports generated to your vet.
There are a few tracking device options available from Whistle including the Whistle Go Explore and the Whistle Go.
There’s only a couple of differences between the two devices, the Go Explore is more expensive and has an extended battery life offering up to 20 days vs. the Go’s 10 days.
The Go Explore also features a built-in light and has more effective waterproofing, aside from this they share the same features.
With either device, you’ll get an alert when the battery needs to be charged and when your pet is in your Wi-Fi range the device goes into a power-save mode.
The Whistle Trackers requires an active subscription to work, each pet needs its own subscription which can quickly get costly if you have more than one cat you want to keep an eye on.
Depending on the plan you are on, you may be charged an early termination fee if you decide this device isn’t right for you so be aware of this when choosing which plan to sign up for.
Weight & Size: The device weighs just over 25g and is 35mm x 45mm.
What’s Good:
- Good battery life
- Accurate location tracking
- Whistle Go Explore features a light that makes night tracking a lot easier
What’s Bad:
- Not specifically designed for cats
- Requires a monthly subscription to work
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9. PawScout
PawScout is a Bluetooth-enabled tag that allows for short-range tracking. It is best suited for keeping an eye on your cat indoors or in the garden.
If you want to track your cat while they are out and about then this isn’t the best choice but if you have a cat that spends most of their time indoors and you want a small, inexpensive tracker that shows you on a radar where they are in the house then PawScout is a fantastic option.
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The tag is small, lightweight and customizable so you can choose the design and include your contact info like traditional pet tags often have.
The tag has a 6 – 12 month battery life, is water-resistant and has a communication range of around 300 feet (which is impressive for a Bluetooth connected device).
A big draw of the PawScout is the features offered by its app, you can create a digital profile for your pet featuring important information such as your contact details and your cat’s medical records.
When you track your pet, you can see both your location and your pet’s location on the map.
Something that’s really neat is that you can see pet points of interest such as vets, groomers, parks and pet-friendly restaurants in your area on the PawScout map.
One of the key features of the PawScout app is that it allows you mark your pet as lost and fill out vital details including where you last saw them, the circumstances and your contact information.
This report is then shared and nearby PawScout users will be notified of a lost pet in their area. If another app user comes close enough to your pet they can notify you that they’ve found your pet and you’ll receive the date, time, location and contact details.
This community pet tracking can be very helpful in bringing your cat home safely.
On the app, you can see how many PawScout users there are in your area and there is a search & discover tab that allows you to see content from other users.
It’s a good idea to download the app and take a look at how popular PawScout is in your area to ensure there are enough users to be able to help you locate your pet if they do go missing (currently PawScout is mostly used in the USA and Canada so elsewhere the user communities are very small).
Weight & Size: This tiny tag weighs 5g and is approximately 4cm x 5cm x 1cm so it can be used comfortably on cats of all sizes.
What’s Good:
- Very affordable
- Long battery life
- Small, lightweight tag
- No monthly fees
What’s Bad:
- Not suitable for long-distance use
- Does not have the most accuracy
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When you are looking to purchase a cat tracking device, there are a few important factors to consider. Below we answer some of the most frequently asked questions:
What is a Cat Tracker?
A cat tracker is technology that you attach to your cat’s collar, the tracker sends out signals that lets you know your cat’s location.
Generally, cat trackers will use either GPS, mobile data or radio to send signals back to the receiver.
Many trackers have dedicated mobile apps that record your cat’s location history and allows you to view their live location on a map.
If the tracker does not have an app then it will have a browser page that you will need to log into to view the location information.
Many cat trackers clip onto collars or are built into a collar themselves which can be easily fitted to your cat.
Having a tracker built into the collar reduces the risk of the tracker coming off as sometimes tags can become snagged or fall off.
When buying a cat tracker there are a number of different features and functions that you should be aware of before making a purchasing decision:
GPS or Radio Frequency?
Radio Frequency trackers are much simpler and therefore much cheaper to both purchase and run, a big bonus is that they require no annual fees (something that is very common with GPS trackers).
However, radio trackers are limited in that they provide pretty much none of the trackable data which you get in abundance with GPS trackers.
GPS trackers allow you to accurately locate your cat at any moment and record all of your cat’s activity from the convenience of your phone.
If you’re not fussed about having tons of data about what your cat does and where exactly he goes then a Radio Frequency tracker would be the logical choice.
If you like to have access to loads of data and like to be able to quickly and effortlessly pin-point your cat’s location you should definitely invest in a GPS tracker.
How Good Is The Battery Life?
The variation in battery life of cat trackers is huge. Some of the smaller trackers barely last a day while others (often larger devices presumably with bigger batteries) can last more than a week.
This is particularly true of GPS trackers as they tend to record a lot of data and often have automatic updates which means the location is frequently being recorded and stored – something that uses a lot of battery.
If you can’t be bothered perpetually charging yet another electronic device then make sure you opt for a tracker that has a longer battery life.
Having a longer-lasting tracker can also provide you with peace of mind as you know it’ll more likely have battery when you need it most.
Pro-tip; Radio Frequency trackers use significantly less battery (they last for weeks!).
Does It Have An App And What Functions Does The App Have?
Most GPS trackers make use of mobile apps for ease of use.
Some apps offer very basic functions such as location updates every two minutes and nothing else.
Whereas more advanced apps such as the Tractive have a huge array of functions including virtual fencing, calorie tracking, measuring distance covered, top speed and more!
Don’t make the mistake of presuming that just because the tracker you bought has an app it is going to be able to do everything you could ever dream of, do your research first and make sure the app has all you need.
Most apps can be downloaded from the app store or Google play before you purchase a device so it is a good idea to do this before investing to allow you to get a feel for the functions and usability of the device.
Many apps are very user-friendly and easy to navigate which is a big plus for those less tech-savvy.
Does It Offer Geo Fencing?
Geo-fencing is a really useful feature that some of the tracking devices enable. It is basically a virtual fence that you can draw around your home, garden or safe area.
If your cat leaves the safe area (moves beyond the virtual fence line) then you will receive an instant notification alerting you.
This is very handy and allows you to act quickly if they leave the area when they are not supposed to.
The Price Range
You can expect to pay between £60 – £150 upfront for a good tracker depending on what you are looking for.
However, it is important to remember that most GPS trackers will charge an annual (or sometimes monthly) subscription fee which covers the cost of mobile data usage, this can quickly add up and can easily add £30-£50 per year to your initial cost.
Some trackers offer different levels of subscriptions (standard or premium) which provide access to different features so make sure you read the purchasing information before buying the tracker to find out if a subscription is required and what will be best suited to your needs.
How Big/Heavy Is It?
There is a vast range in size differences from one tracker to another.
The smallest tracker featured on this page weighs only 5 grams, while the biggest weighs 35 grams.
Each of the trackers are light enough for a cat but some are bulky or awkward in their size and shape.
This may be the case particularly with the larger trackers or smaller cats.
The smaller the tag, the more comfortable it will be for your cat but battery life tends to be reduced with size so it may be worth going for a slightly bigger tracker for longer battery life.
Also Read: How Do Cat Trackers Work
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Does it exist a tracker that has both GPS+radio tracking?
We have a new rescue cat who appears to be deaf. As we won’t be able to call her we need a tracker that will help us find her. We live in a very rural location so once the cat leaves the home there are no boundaries, just miles of countryside. A tracker with a small range will be useless if she wanders. What would you recommend? We have very poor mobile phone reception. She is not a very big cat so something not cumbersome and a battery that will last a few days? What is our best option please?
Re. Geofencing, do any of these trackers buzz the animal if it gets to the geofence or do they all just notify you? We have an animal serial killer where we live (seriously) and thus I don’t want to just get notified that my cat leaves my garden, I want the cat to be trained to not leave it, for its own safety. Do any of these fit the bill or is catfence the only way to go for me?
Our cat goes missing for days or even weeks at a time. Which one has the longest battery life?( Though I guess if we can find her she won’t be gone that long!) We tries a tracker by Pawtrax called Halo, not on your site, but we’ve tried 2 and had to send back as neither worked properly.
Thank you for the review. Its good to have info on functionality etc but one thing lacking is how much they weigh and the size of them. This is very important when deciding on what to buy. I’d prefer one that isn’t going to impede my cats too much, some seem to do this from the pictures. Would it be possible to give this info in yur next update.
Thanks
Thanks for visiting our site 5 cat lady!
We do actually talk about their size and weight in every one of our reviews however I appreciate it’s not very easy to find that information as there is a whole lot of text to read through on this page!
When I get the chance I will update the tables at the bottom to include it. Thanks for the suggestion.
Hi Dan
Not sure if I’m being a bit blonde, but the Weenect – I don’t understand about the SIM card. Does it mean that to track Lily I would have to remove the SIM from my phone and replace with theirs? I travel a fair bit and this would be a nightmare for my kitty sitters, so I’m leaning towards the Tabcat.
George went missing two years ago, Ethel is currently missing. Hence why Lily needs some sort of tracker!
So glad I found your reviews, any advice greatly appreciated.
Hi Susie,
No you wouldn’t need to use the SIM from your phone you would just need a seperate SIM in the Weenect to allow it to use mobile data and communicate with the app on your phone.
I’m a big fan of the tabcat too the radio tracker works very well and is ideal for anyone wh isn’t too concerned about having data on every aspect of their cat’s life all the time, if you’re happy juist knowing that should you need to you can track down your cat with it then the Tabcat is a nice easy to use choice.
Hope that helps!
Good article. Not sure what date your original review article was… do you update and revise the article and ratings based on some of the feedback people have given since? Or is a new review article in the offing? I see Pet Tracer not covered – it’s now on sale apparently and two years ago was regarded as highly promising.
Live in London and our cats only go out the back – a maze of rear gardens belonging to terraced or detached houses but none with any side access, so it’s relatively safe. Want to get a tracker that can pinpoint whose garden our two cats are in. Have one unpleasant neighbour who has threatened them and so good accurate information is desirable. GPS or other signal is therefore important as it would be impossible to go out searching for them with a radio signal device. Mobile signal is poor, but I’m with EE and other networks might be better. Which device do you reckon is currently best bet?
Hi Paolo,
glad you like the article, we update it every few months, it’s due an update now actually as there are one or two new products on the market that we intend to add. I’m not familiar with the Pet Tracer but I will have a look.
Exact location tracking can be difficult down allies so your best bet is a tracker which utilises as many tracking methods as possible to get the most accurate data. Personally I would recommend the Tractive as this uses both GPS and mobile data so should give about as accurate a reading as possible. Hope that helps!
Hi Dan Will you updating your cat tracker reviews any time soon? I am keen to purchase 2 trackers very soon and possibly another 2. I am very grateful for all the advice on your page and so very glad I came across it. Thank you ?
Hi Dan,
I’m in the market for a decent cat tracker. I’d want real-time GPS tracking and to be able to view recorded movements within a mobile app. My main concern is the size of the tracker, as little Cuthbert doesn’t like anything too bulky hanging around his neck. He is also a serial collar loser, so I’d need to be able to locate the device if necessary.
What would you recommend? Thanks.
P.S. Great site, keep up the good work!
Hi, why isn’t there a gps chip that you can insert like the microchip.. ? For cats that don’t like collars!
Hi Louise, it would be great if that existed. Unfortunately battery power is required to transmit a GPS signal so you would also have to find some way to power it from underneath the skin…maybe one day in the future..!
Hi Dan, I have bought the Pod 3 for my cat and I can’t for the life of me get it to work.
I cannot seem to connect it to the network, I usually have no problem with my network even though it says between 1 and 3 our of 4 bars usually and have taken the advice of the Pod 3 help team but no matter how many times I try, I can’t connect it. Have you heard of any similar problems? For the expensive price of the POD 3 am not happy it’s so difficult to use. Lookinga t some reviews, I’m not the only one and even heard some are only compatible with US networks!
Can you help?
Hi Deborah, sorry that you’re having trouble with the Pod 3. It sounds to me like you have been sold a faulty product.
If I were you I would get in touch and request an exchange…when they work they are definitely one of the best trackers on the market!
Sorry you’ve had trouble with it, do let us know how you get on.
I prefer to use a GPS tracker with Geofence feature because i am busy at work and my cat is free whether it is inside or outside of our house. By the way thank you for sharing this blog to us cat lovers.
Geofences are great aren’t they? glad you like the blog Shirley, thanks for visiting.
Hi Dan!
Looking for a pet tracker for my 4 cats. Can only see 2 trackers on your list with multiple pet tracking. Would you recommend the Tabcat or the Girafus? I know you have the Tabcat in your Top 4 list but the reviews on Amazon aren’t great. They are all neutered so shouldn’t stray too far but still concerned about the Tabcat only being able to track for 122 metres. However it seems smaller and less cumbersome than the Girafus so would be inclined to go with that one. But then the Girafus has GPS and a mobile app whereas Tabcat doesn’t. I’m in a rural location. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Shirley,
Cork, Ireland
Hi Shirley,
Thanks for stopping by, sounds like you have quite a handful of cats there!
I’ve just noticed that Tractive have updated their app now so you can track multiple cats on it if you have more than one of their trackers (I’ve updated the table too).
Although the Amazon reviews for the Tabcat aren’t great I personally am a big fan of it and think it’s a great option if you aren’t bothered about having the app for them. Not many cats ever seem to go out of range on it despite its limited range!
The Girafus is also a good option though can be a bit too bulky for some smaller cats.
Hope that helps,
Thanks,
Dan
Hi Shirley
I have three cats and currently use the Tabcat tracker which is great if they are within range, which they usually are. My cats even usually come home when I do turn the tracker on and give them a beep. However, my 11month old cat went walkabout this weekend and was missing for 26 hours, he was found approx. 1 mile away from home. As he was out of the Tabcat tracking range of 122 metres a local Cat Networking Organisation who are on Facebook (I’m not) helped me to find his exact location by putting out an alert with picture and fortunately someone telephoned in to say they he had seen him at 6.00am that morning. I was then able to go to the location with my Tabcat. He was eventually found at a Riding School in a field full of horses hiding amongst bushes and trees. I would never have been able to pinpoint his exact location in this huge field if I hadn’t had the Tabcat tracker. So I cannot fault the Tabcat, I change the batteries in both the handset and the collar buttons every 5 months however I must say that I wore out the battery in the handset twice over this weekend because of the amount of continuous use during this time of intense tracking. Quite often my cats come home having lost their collar and tracker button and I have been able to go out and track the collar and have successfully retrieved them each time. Because of the distance my cat travelled on this occasion I am also looking into purchasing a GPS tracker for my naughty kitten in case he goes walkabouts again. Hope this info helps you.
Hi,
I have a cat and have been using the track active. For a while now however we live behind a train line and the cat has now lost the device twice the second time is somewhere we cannot get out so it is now lost. I like the track active as if he has been out a while I can flick up the app and see where he is but the issues with the clip coming off is a real problem. What else would people suggest that is similar !
Hi Kay,
I would recommend the Tractive which features a clip loss alarm so you know when it has come off your cat. Tractive are also bringing out a new tracker in the next few months which is built into a collar so in theory should be much harder to lose so it may be worth waiting for that.
The TK Star is also a good option which is underrated in my opinion. It is built into a collar so again is harder to lose.
Both of these feature app integration which gives you all the data you need.
Hope that helps Kay.
Looking at the comparison table, it shows there are really a lot of good products to monitor my feline pet. It helped me narrow my choices down.
There’s certainly a lot of choice, which one did you choose in the end?
Thank you for this list! I’m glad you’ve posted about this. By the way do you still have any suggestion on trackers that already uses 3G? Thanks!
Hi Janica, glad you like our page.
A lot of these trackers do use 3G too.
In stock trackers mentioned on our page that use mobile data include: the Pod 3, Weenect, Tractive, Novita, Trax, TKStar, Gpaws & Petkit…in fact pretty much all of them except for the radio trackers!
My ginger cat just disappears and shows whenever she like, that is why I badly need a pet tracker. I’m looking for a device with geofencing capabilities thanks for this list.
Hi Tiffany,
The Pod 3, Tractive, Novita, Pod 2 and TK Star trackers all have geofencing capability.
Hope that helps,