Why Need Cat GPS Trackers and Collars? How They Work?

In a world where cats are natural explorers, ensuring their safety while satisfying their curiosity is paramount. Cat GPS trackers and collars are very essential tools for responsible pet ownership.

According to the American Humane Organization, around ten million cats and dogs go missing every year. There are around 3.2 million felines end up in shelters. We can use ID collars, GPS cat collars, and microchips to save them.

Losing a pet is extremely painful. So it is better to be careful in advance. A GPS tracker will help you to track your pet’s location. So the chances of pets getting lost are greatly reduced.

Discover how these innovative devices work and why they’re crucial for granting our feline friends the freedom they deserve.

What is a GPS Tracker?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It tracks navigation, positioning, and timing. A total of 24 satellites are involved with this system that communicates with any ground object.

The technology originated in 1960 for military purposes. For public use, it was opened in 1983.

Since then, the system has been used for both military missile and kid’s toy tracking purposes.

We can use a GPS system to specify someone’s precise location. We can use it while traveling to any place and estimated time to go to our destination.

Also Read: How to Find a Lost Cat 

Why Do You Need a GPS Tracker for Your Cat?

Some pet owners might want to know about the exact location of their pets. You need not worry about it anymore because there is GPS to help you up. Keep an eye on it all the time and be safe.

• Find your cat: Some cats leave for days and suddenly reappear. With a tracker, you can identify where the cat is at any time. You can know whether it is safe or not. It could be lost or stolen. The GPS tracker will reunite you and your friend.

• Track the cat’s workout: You can monitor the amount of exercise your cat is doing. Trackers can monitor every activity about walking, running, sleeping, and eating. Couples of trackers offer tips too.

• Monitor your cat’s behavior and health: It can help you identify changes in behavior. If a tracker shows that the cat is eating or sleeping less, this is a sign of a serious health condition.

Also Read: How to Avoid Losing Your Cat

How Do GPS Cat Trackers and Collars Work?

GPS is a global network made up of a couple of navigation satellites & their ground stations. Such types of satellites move around the Earth about 12,000 miles above us. They always travel two times around the World each day.

GPS trackers use this network by microwave signals that are transmitted to GPS devices that give instant information on location, direction, speed & time.

Your GPS device should be connected with a minimum of three satellites. This is how your signal is triangulated and gives accurate data. By measuring the time, the device calculates its distance by three satellites. 

Signals from three satellites allow a GPS device to give your latitude & longitude. If someone receives a signal from more satellites, you can get your specific location.

In the same way, Cat GPS collar is a tracking device, that is attached to cat’s body. You can set “safe zone” and “danger zone” for your cat by using GPS collar app from your computer or smartphone.

If your cat goes into a danger zone or outside of the zone GPS collar will send you text SMS, e-mail or beep signal depending on your tracker function.

How to Choose The Right GPS Tracking Device

If you are not an expert, then you have to know and consider few things when shopping for a tracker.

1. Cat tracker and GPS collar range

Many GPS tracking devices accurately work within three meters. In low-accuracy areas, the signal affects your results. The technology is being modified day by day to give us the best accurate result.

GPS trackers regularly maintain a constant connection. If your tracker covers long-range, it means your cat or dog can be safe for long distances.

2. Type of Technology

• WiFi: WiFi means Wireless Fidelity. This system allows LAN to operate without wiring. It’s a well-known choice for home & business networks. A PC’s wireless adaptor transfers any kind of data in a radio signal & transfers the data through an antenna. You will find some modern trackers that support wifi technology.

• SIM: SIM means subscriber identity module. We know it as a SIM card. They are used for identifying & authenticating subscribers on mobile telephony devices nowadays. Some trackers have SIM card slots and tracking via the mobile network.

• Bluetooth: For replacing the cables connecting electronic devices, Bluetooth technology is used for short-range wireless communications technology. Bluetooth technology also used for cat collars.

3. Battery life

According to some good quality GPS that is powered by batteries can last from few hours to 30 days depending on the uses and battery life. The tracker depends on a cellular connection for transmitting from the data points to the server. This is also based on cellular networks in the area for locating the asset.

4. Subscription Fee

There is both type GPS tracker available for a monthly subscription fee and no monthly subscription fee. Both have unique features. Choose the perfect math that you need. Some device’s monthly subscriptions can be payable yearly.

5. Warranty

Different companies provide different warranties. GPS devices that are made for vehicles are strong enough to defend itself against any kind of accident. They are costly and provide a wide range of warranties.

6. Size and weight

Some tiny tracking devices on the market are available. We can even find dimensions 1x1x0.38 cm that are similar to coins only. Their weights are not also very much to be concerned about. Some of them weigh only 35 grams.

The small and lightweight device is easy to carry for cats.

7. Quality

We know that quality matters. We can buy from a well-known company. Well known companies usually do not offer bad products.

8. Price

We can find GPS for a different price. Good quality products with a good warranty period will cost you much compared to general ones.

FAQs

Q: Can you put a GPS tracker on your cat?

A: Yes, a GPS tracker can be put on a cat to determine the specific place, time, speed, and direction of the cat effectively. We don’t know where our beloved cat might be. Therefore, put a GPS tracker on the cat so that you can keep an eye on the cat all the time.

Q: How much does a cat tracker cost?

A: There are various types of cats tracker available in the market. They come at different prices. Average costs are around $20 to $250. The tracker app has some special features that allow for earning badges for certain activities. The leaderboard will help you to compare your pet’s statistics to others.

Q: Can you track your cat’s microchip?

A: No, we can’t track our pets through a microchip. A microchip doesn’t send us any signal. A scanner will identify its ID number and its owner can be found via this given number. If the lost cat is taken to a pet authority, they will scan it to check the ID to find out its owner.

Q: What is the smallest GPS tracker for cats?

A: There are a couple of companies that produce tiny volumes of GPS trackers. There are such trackers that are sized like a coin.

Choose among the products that you like. But know first before buying about their activities, battery life, warranty, etc.

Q: Do GPS cat-tracking collars have monthly fees?

A: Yes, some tracker companies offer services with a monthly fee. If a pet tracker comes with a subscription, that depends on the type of technology it uses. Pet trackers use 2 types of technologies. The GPS determines the pet’s location and communication technology for transferring the data to a locator.

Nowadays, most pet trackers use cellular technology for communication with satellites.

Q: Which is the best GPS cat tracker with no monthly fee?

A: Almost all pet trackers depend on cellular networks recently. Some of them don’t need any paid external services. They use traditional communication technologies that don’t need any subscriptions.