Pet Recovery Systems

Small, lightweight trackers made from comfortable, smooth materials, such as plastic, are best for cats’ collars. A comfortably fitting tracking device is less likely to impede on your cat’s movement and will not weigh them down.  Ideally, your cat should feel like they’re wearing nothing at all. Be sure to check the weight on the cat tracker you intend to purchase, as well as the measurements, particularly if you have a very small cat or kitten.  Trackers tend to be large for cats but the technology seems to be on the verge of producing smaller ones, which will be easier for the cat to get used to wearing.

Cat tracker devices typically come with a corresponding smartphone app, most of which allow you to view your cat’s location on a map in real-time. Some apps are more user-friendly than others; moreover, some apps include additional helpful features, such as the ability to make a ringing sound on the device, and even offer real-time support from veterinarians. Be sure to double-check that your cat-tracking device works seamlessly with your type of phone (e.g. iPhone, Android, etc.).   

Some cat tracker devices feature significantly more range than others. For example, many have a range of a few hundred feet, which is great for knowing where your cat is within the area of your home, backyard, and nearby premises. Others offer unlimited range, which allows you to see exactly where your cat is no matter how far they travel from home.  

Batteries and power come in many forms depending on the cat-tracking device you choose. Some offer a rechargeable battery, similar to a phone's battery, that will need to be plugged in and recharged every so often (this can be a few days or a few weeks, depending on the cat tracker you choose).

The other power option is a good old-fashioned battery; typically, cat tracking devices with batteries rely on small, flat, circular batteries, so as to not weigh your cat down and so the battery can fit within the small tracking device. Batteries generally offer longer-lasting power time, and there’s no need to recharge. 

Most cat-tracking devices, but not all, require subscriptions to use the location services you’re looking for. Often, the subscription is paid on a monthly basis, though annual subscriptions are also an option with some cat-tracking devices. Depending on the number of features the cat tracker offers, the subscription price can vary significantly, so be sure to double-check prior to purchasing to fully determine what suits your budget.  

There are more cat trackers and dog trackers available on the market.  Now that you know what you are looking for, feel out what trackers have to offer.  Sometimes there are products that will compromise for price - or just not be right for you or be everything you are looking for even if not listed here.  As always, check out what others have to say and what they like or do not like before committing!