Summary
When you’re attached to your pet, you quickly get worried when your pet goes off and frolics a little too far for a little too long. Whether we live in the city or in the country, our cat friends are very curious, and like to discover the world, as long as they are intrigued by another animal. The problem with our small felines is that you never know where they really go, when they will come back, if they are lost… To stop panicking and be reassured, there is a very practical and operational solution: the cat tracker. Small connected tool that allows you to geolocate your cat at any time for more peace of mind. Discover our top 3 of the best GPS cat tracker collars, to find out more about how they work and let your cat frolic with peace of mind!
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What is a GPS cat tracker?
Cat trackers are small connected objects that, thanks to GPS location, inform you of your cat’s position, accurately and instantly. You can find out where your hairball is and track its movements with the help of a GPS track. These trackers can take several forms, the most common being the necklace that incorporates a small SIM card. This is the best known cat gps model, being the most efficient and the least bulky. You can also find GPS in the form of a harness or backpack for dogs and cats.
There are two types of animal trackers: connected GPS trackers and radio trackers. The radio plotters allow Minou to be plotted using radio frequencies received on a special receiver. Less efficient, these trackers only allow you to receive a signal over a hundred meters, and do not geolocalize but increase the signal strength if you approach your cat.
Some models offer additional features in addition to geolocation, such as vibrating or ringing the collar, or even calling Kitty. These gps are obviously more expensive, and are often more bulky and heavy.
How does a GPS cat tracker work?
A gps collar works like a classic car GPS. The collar is equipped with a box with an integrated GPS beacon and a special SIM card. The housing can be supplied with a collar, or can be independent, to be clipped onto any collar.
The GPS chip allows your kitten’s location to be tracked via satellite communication, so you can get an exact position of your kitten at any time.
The integrated SIM card is required to be able to transmit GPS data to you via a GSM network. It’s this map that allows you to receive the position of your little furry friend on a map via your smartphone in a very precise way.
Network subscription
To be able to receive the localized data of your tomcat, it is thus necessary to subscribe obligatorily to a subscription, which can be monthly, annual or biannual according to the GPS trackers, to have access to the GSM networks and to operate the SIM card. Thanks to this subscription and connection, you will be able to view the position history from your phone, tablet or computer via a dedicated application.
How to choose the right GPS collar?
In order to find the ideal marker for Kitten, you have to study a few criteria, to make sure that the collar will be operational and efficient, without being too disturbing for your kitten.
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The size
One of the most important criteria is the size of the GPS unit. Even if these devices are meant to be of service to you, remember that it is your cat who will wear them, and it is not the intention that he be disturbed. Some models can be very heavy and bulky, and will therefore quickly become a nuisance for your tomcat. Choose a gps model that is light and as small as possible, depending on the size of your cat.
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Precision and performance
In order to be able to locate your cat and know perfectly where he is, you need a GPS collar that is efficient and above all precise in its geolocation. Choose a product with an approximate location of less than 20m, and with the longest possible range. If the GPS can’t locate your tomcat after 3km, it won’t do much good. Some tags have an unlimited location distance, so you won’t have to worry about seeing your cat on the map.
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Battery life
Very important, it would be a shame if the battery of the GPS tracker ran out while Kitten is out for a walk. Opt for a collar with an autonomy of 3 to 5 days for a regular use, to be able to find your tomcat if he was lost.
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The functionalities
Depending on the tracker models, you can go from simple tracking to a phone call to your cat, vibrate, alert or activity tracking to keep your pet healthy.
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The solidity
If your cat is moped around, it probably won’t protect its collar from rain or mud. Remember to choose a waterproof, dust- and shockproof cat gps to prevent it from breaking on your cat’s first jump.
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The price of the necklace and the subscription
When you choose your GPS cat collar, you should bear in mind that there is not only the cost of the collar, but also the cost of the SIM card subscription.
Generally speaking, you can find good cat trackers between 50 and 100€. As far as the subscription is concerned, you will most of the time have the choice between a monthly, annual or two-year subscription. The cost of the subscription is quite low, usually between 3 and 10€ per month.
Our top 3 best cat GPS’s
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Mini waterproof cat GPS tracker – TKSTAR
Very complete, this gps tracker for cats will not only allow you to locate him in real time, but also to control his physical activity with his speed, his movements, and to contact him remotely. You can delimit an area on the application, to receive an SMS if your pet goes outside this delimitation. You will also have access to his travel history via the free dedicated application available on Android and iOS. The operation is simple, when you want to know where your tomcat is, just send an SMS to the number on the built-in SIM card. You will then receive a link that sends you to Google Maps to get its location in real time. Waterproof and equipped with a shock sensor, the beacon has a standby time of 300 hours, and is very light with a weight of 50g. The dimensions of the GPS box are 70 x 37 x 20mm, which is quite cumbersome if your cat is small. Please note that this device requires a special SIM card, which is not included with the GPS.
The TKSTAR cat gps collar in pictures
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Cat GPS tracker – Weenect
With unlimited geolocation, you will be able to follow your cat’s movements in real time on your phone. The GPS beacon sends its position about every 10 seconds, and you have access to 3 location modes with a visual in the form of a map, compass or radar. You can define a zone not to be exceeded, and will be warned if Kitten goes out of it. The advantage of this model is its small size, with a GPS box of 23 x 1 x 58mm and a weight of 25g which allows you to install it around the neck of any cat, even if it is a kitten (recommended for cats weighing 3kg or more). The disadvantage is that small size means small battery, and therefore less autonomy, which lasts 3 days. There’s also a ringtone function, which allows you to find your hairball in your ear if you’ve lost sight of it, or to let him know it’s time to come home! You can also talk to him, for example, to reassure him thanks to the SIM card and the built-in speaker. A product that is unanimously acclaimed with reassured masters!
The Weenect cat gps collar in pictures
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Cat GPS collar – Tractive
Thanks to the free Tractive application, you can discover your pet’s activity and all its movements, to find out more about its little life as a cat. Without tracking limits, you will also have access to the history, and can place a virtual fence to be alerted if your hairball leaves the area. A sharing feature is also available, to share the location with family and friends if you need help finding your cat. The big positive point is the integrated breaking mechanism, which allows Matou to be released if he gets stuck in a wire mesh with the collar. The device is quite light and weighs 50 grams, and measures 74 x 28 x 15mm. A little bigger, it will be less suitable for kittens, and is recommended for cats from 4kg. Its autonomy lasts between 2 and 5 days depending on use.
The gps cat collar Tractive in pictures
Why would I use a GPS tracker for my cat?
With a rather solitary and curious character, our domestic felines are quickly tempted to go beyond the limits of the house to set off on an adventure. But between cars, dogs or other animals, loss of landmarks or traps, your Kitty may not come home for a variety of reasons.
A GPS tracker for cats allows you to keep an eye on them and reassure you, while giving them the freedom they need to be happy. In the form of a necklace, medallion or harness, this beacon makes it possible to know where it is at any time. If you don’t see him come in, then you know where to look for him. If you think it’s in danger, it lets you know where to look, and lets you tell the right people to deal with it quickly.
Where can I find a GPS for cats?
Whether online or in store, you will easily find what you are looking for with a wide choice of GPS for cats.
In stores, you can go to pet shops like Maxizoo or Truffaut. You will also find them in household appliance stores such as Boulanger or Fnac.
Online, you will have a very large choice, between sites specialized in pet shops, or platforms like Amazon or Cdiscount.
Best GPS for cats: why trust us?
Thank you for reading this article! Because we know that it is not always easy to make the best choice without trying, each of our recommendations is the result of a long work of analysis of consumer opinions on flagship and little-known products on the market, of comparison of prices and technical characteristics, but also and above all of tests by a team of men and women constantly renewed in order to keep a real objectivity to help you in your purchasing process.
All the purchasing criteria are scrutinized for the realization of our comparative guides: budget, level of range, functional and practical aspects, design, pack and accessories, safety… All this in order to help you choose the products best suited to your needs, desires and constraints on a daily basis, at the best price!