Having an active dog at home who loves to explore the world is so exhilarating! However, that feeling of joy is often mixed with fear that your pet might get lost or run away.
To finally have peace of mind and not worry about your furry friend’s safety, consider buying GPS trackers for dogs, devices that allow owners to track the real-time location of their pets. Given the variety of such devices on the market, those hefty tips below can help you make the right choice.
What Is a Dog GPS Tracker?
A GPS tracker for a pet is a small gadget that is often attached to a collar and allows an owner to know the real-time location of their pet. With such a device, you can forget about frantic neighborhood searches or calling your furry friend’s name like a broken record.
There are a few types currently on the market:
- Bluetooth trackers that work over short distances;
- cellular trackers that use mobile networks and have relatively wide coverage;
- satellite-based trackers that can locate your pet just about anywhere on Earth.
If your little furry friend hears “Stay” and considers it a polite suggestion rather than a command, you should think about buying one of those.
Must-Have Features That Actually Matter
The market is packed with location monitoring devices with numerous features, impressive designs, and high-tech options implemented. You should know what to focus on if it is your first gadget of such kind. Thus, we have the most essential features for convenient and effective usage of GPS, overviewed below.
Real-Time Location Display
Make sure data about the location of your pet is reflected in real-time. This is crucial to be able to find it as soon as possible to minimize the stress for yourself and your furry friend. For this, you need to consider satellite-based trackers or cellular ones, like Petloc8, which offers 24/7 monitoring with a built-in SIM card.
Battery Life
Choose a device with a long-lasting battery, as you would not like to bother a lot about frequent charging. Moreover, consider buying gadgets with replaceable batteries to have one device serving for many years.
Geofencing
If you would like to allow your dog to roam about the yard or park on its own, you would certainly need a feature such as geofencing. Before buying, check if it provides the possibility of alerts when your four-legged friend leaves a designated “safe zone”. This would give your dog some freedom, and you would be spared from the constant anxiety that your furry friend could get lost while walking alone.
Waterproofing & Durability
If you have a puddle-jumper or snow-roller at home, waterproof location monitoring gadgets are the ones to look out for. Also, check its durability to ensure the device is in working condition for a long time. Otherwise, any puddle can become fatal, and you would need to order a new one.
Size & Comfort
Such gadgets are not that favored by dogs, so make sure the one you choose is as comfortable as possible. Avoid bulky and heavy gadgets. Instead, look for a small one. Especially if you have a little pup or breeds like Chihuahua, Pomeranian, or Yorkshire Terrier.
Matching Tracker to Lifestyle
On top of that, it is always a good idea to match a type of location monitoring gadget according to your lifestyle and the character of your pet. For instance, consider buying:
- trackers with strong cellular signals and indoor location accuracy for city dogs;
- rugged, waterproof units with long-range tracking for outdoor explorers;
- reliable, lower-cost options if you have an energetic pet, but you would like the tracker to fit your budget.
Moreover, a high price is not always an indicator of top quality, so pay attention to honest reviews when making a final decision.
Conclusion
With pet GPS trackers, it is not always about pricey and flashy models; it is more about reliability and convenience. Pay attention to how your dog lives, plays, and explores to find the most suitable device for them.
Also consider such factors as geofetching, battery lifespan, size, and waterproofing. Those essential features would help you to find a long-lasting option that would be with your furry friend for many years.
