If you’re looking for the best cat trackers you’ve come to the right place. Cats are notorious for hiding in bushes or squeezing themselves in tight spaces.
Most times you’ll find cats return home safely after wandering off. In fact, your kitty probably never goes far from home.
However, knowing your feline friend’s whereabouts can be reassuring. Whether you haven’t seen your precious fur baby for a few hours, or just want to check her location, trackers can be a godsend.
Before diving into the trackers themselves, I wanted to share with you why you should get one, and how they work
3 Reasons Why you should get a cat tracker
A cat tracker can be a useful device if your cat has a tendency to wander further afield. Though most stay close to home, some have been known to walk long distances.
1 Even if your cat is microchipped there’s no guarantee of her being found if she goes missing. This is because they’re not tracking devices and can only identify.
2 If you have a very curious cat who loves exploring there’s always the possibility of her wandering into a neighbour’s shed. In addition, some are fascinated by parked cars and it’s not unheard of for a cat to end up miles away from home!
3 If you’ve recently moved home with a cat there’s always a slight possibility she’ll try and find her way back there. This is because cats can get very attached to places. The best idea is to keep your cat inside for at least a few weeks giving her time to get used to her surroundings.
How cat trackers work
There are several types of pet trackers, all of which can work very well. Firstly, you can get those which use GPS or global positioning. Secondly, Bluetooth is another option, and thirdly, those using radio frequency
GPS pet trackers
The global positioning system is made up of around 30 satellites which orbit the earth about 12,000 miles up in space. These then transmit information to a number of ground stations.
A GPS device on your cat’s collar receives information on her exact location from at least 3 satellites. These triangulate signals, calculating distance and time.
Bluetooth pet trackers
Using a Bluetooth tracker to find your cat requires a smartphone. In addition, coverage is limited to around 10 metres.
The device is usually powered by a small lithium battery which can last up to 6 months. Also, an app on your smartphone is used to pinpoint your pet’s location
Radio frequency pet trackers
Pet trackers that use radio frequency are simple to use and require NO monthly fee. They work by sending signals from a small device on your cat’s collar to a hand held device.
The closer you get to your cat, the stronger the signal. Whether you want to call your kitty in for dinner, or keep an eye on her, these can provide a good solution.
The following cat trackers are based on my own opinion and customer ratings. I may get a small commission on any sales made, but this in NO way reflects the price you pay.
1 BARTUN LTE GPS Dog Tracker, Real-Time Tracking Collar Device, APP Control for Dogs and Cats with Unlimited Range
Bartun LTE dog tracker is very small and suitable for both cats and dogs. However, at just 2 inches wide it weighs 30g which may be a bit heavy for a smaller cat.
Also, you don’t have to use the collar provided as the device can easily fit onto any size collar. This allows you to use your cat’s own collar if she wears one already.
This GPS tracker is waterproof and very hardy. This is great if your cat gets wet or likes playing rough and tumble. In addition, an led light allows you to track your kitty after dark.
If you want to see where your adventurous kitty goes to during the day, an historical route reveals all! You’ll get to see her favorite haunts, and where she spends much of her time.
In addition, you can define a safe range on the mobile app. This enables you to keep a close eye if your cat wanders out of this area.
A notification alerts you so you can immediately find your kitty. This could be useful if you live near a road or other places you feel aren’t safe.
You will need to get a SIM card as this isn’t included. However, this does give you freedom to choose your own network. Most GPS services come with a monthly fee as previously mentioned, but BARTUN LTE recommend Speedtalk which has NO subscription fees.
As this tracking device covers 150 countries, you should be covered in most parts of the world.
Key features
- Lightweight
- Waterproof
- Definable safe area
- Real time tracking
- LED light
- Suitable for dogs and cats
Average rating 4 out of 5
You can buy Bartun LTE dog tracker here
2 Girafus Cat Tracker RF Finder Longest Range up to 1600 ft lightest pet Safety Tracking Device only 0.28oz Small Pets Dog Pro-Track-tor
Girafus cat tracker works using radio frequency with a range of up to 1600nft. This is ideal if your cat is the more adventurous type and loves exploring
As it’s one of the smallest and lightest your cat should have no problem with it. As the tags are attached using Velcro straps you don’t need to use the collar provided.
Always use a break away collar though for safety. This ensures your cat never gets caught on anything.
You get 4 tags so ideal for multiple cat households. This means you can sleep well at night knowing all your furry friends are safe!
In addition you get two rechargeable batteries plus charger, saving you money. We all know how quickly batteries wear out especially with constant use.
The tracker comes already configured so no pairing required. This makes the whole process very quick and easy. You can simply use it straight out of the box.
As long as your cat doesn’t wander too far away Girafus tracker should work fine. Hide and seek games are easily rumbled as the handset signal gets stronger the nearer you get. In addition, you can turn off the bleeping sound for a more discreet search!
Key features
- 1600 ft range
- NO monthly subscriptions
- 4 tags
- Rechargeable batteries
- Already configured
- Easy to use
Average rating 3.9 out of 5
You can buy Girafus Cat Tracker RF Finder here
3 Tractive Dog & Cat GPS Tracker
Tractive dog and cat GPS tracker allows you to track your cat in real time. You can even follow her antics on a heat map. This shows you where her favorite places are.
You may be surprised and even amused at what you find! Neighbors offering your cat treats, meet ups with other kitty friends and more..
If you worry about your cat wandering longer distances, Tractive allows you to create a virtual fence. This great feature enables you to create a safe area for your pet.
If your cat decides to wander beyond the boundary you’re notified immediately. This helps you find her quickly before she runs off.
Another great feature is it’s similarity to Fitbit. This is because it not only tracks distance covered, but calories your cat burns as well.
In addition it can also detect your cat’s sleeping habits. This can be helpful if your cat is prone to inactivity and needs to lose weight!
As it’s waterproof it doesn’t matter if your cat likes splashing in puddles. While most run for cover at the mere hint of a raindrop, some are happy to endure a brief shower!
Tractive is battery powered, and comes with one that’s rechargeable and can last up to 5 days. In addition, it can be fully charged in as little as 2 hours.
This is great news if you forget to check the battery and realize it’s very low on juice! This is easily done, especially if you have a busy lifestyle.
As Tractive is a GPS tracker you’ll need to sign up to a monthly subscription. This can vary in price from $3 up to $5 depending on which plan you opt for.
Key features
- Waterproof
- Real time tracking
- Updates every 2-3 seconds
- Rechargeable battery
- Battery life up to 5 days
- Fast 2 hour charging
- Virtual fence
- Worldwide coverage
- Basic and premium subscription plans
- Tracks calories as well as activity
Average rating 4 out of 5
You can buy Tractive Dog & Cat GPS Tracker here
4 Findster Duo+ Dog & Cat GPS Tracker & Activity Monitor
Findster Duo GPS tracker works using MAZE technology and isn’t dependent on cell coverage. This means you don’t need to pay a monthly fee.
You get 2 modules with the pack. One fits onto your cat’s collar, and the other known as the guardian module is one you carry with you.
The downside is you have to charge both modules before use, but battery life does last up to 12 hours. In addition, as the two modules are connected using Bluetooth you’ll need to make sure they’re paired.
You can extend the battery life up to 7 days by turning off GPS if you’re not using it. However, it can still be used as an activity monitor.
It’s advisable to keep within 5-10 ft of both modules for pairing to work. This should be easy enough if you’re indoors, or your cat is very close to home.
Unlike Tractive which updates every 2-3 seconds, Findster takes a fraction longer at 10 seconds. This shouldn’t be an issue though.
Although Findster has a much lower tracking range at just 3 miles compared to other GPS trackers, this shouldn’t be a problem as cats rarely walk that far from home.
The reason for the lower tracking range is MAZE, but as long as your cat doesn’t hitch a ride on a truck or walk very long distances it won’t make any difference.
This GPS tracker has quite high accuracy and should get you within inches of your cat. This could be useful if your kitty is playing hide and seek!
Some customers find the Bluetooth connection breaks easily, but is then able to quickly reconnect again. Though not perfect, you don’t pay a monthly fee, nor do you need worldwide coverage
with a cat.
You download an app onto your mobile phone which in addition to tracking also has a radar screen. This is great for guiding you to your cat’s location.
Findster is able to track your cat’s distance walked and time spent resting. This is great for monitoring her health, enabling you to encourage more activity if needed.
Although you won’t be paying any fees to use the tracker, you get 1 year of free Findster care. This is a membership service giving you access to your own personal vet.
Key features
- No SIM card required
- No monthly fees
- Tracks up to a range of 3 miles
- 12 hour battery life with continuous use
- Waterproof
- Tracks walking distance and resting
- Virtual fence or safe area
- 1 Year of free Findster care
Average rating 3 stars out of 5
You can buy Findster Duo Dog & Cat GPS Tracker & Activity Monitor here
5 Cube Bluetooth Real Time Smart Tracker
Cube Bluetooth real time smart tracker connects to Verizon and requires a monthly fee. However, if you’re looking for a tracker with long battery life this may be a good option.
Cube claim their rechargeable batteries can last anywhere between 10-60 days. This is great if you don’t want to be bothered checking battery levels too often.
Another great feature is geofencing. This gives you an instant notification should your adventurous kitty wander beyond the virtual fence.
As well as keeping track of your cat or dog, you can also use it to keep track of possessions, vehicles, and lots more. However, at $19.95 per month, Cube is quite expensive.
The cost does reduce to $16.50 per month though if you pay annually. Verizon claim to have up to 70% coverage which is a plus point. As you have to pay for each GPS device, it could work out expense with a multi-cat household.
It’s worth bearing in mind though, you’re not actually restricted to Verizon, as Cube will work with any network and smartphone able to download the app.
Cube’s dynamic reporting enables GPS to enter sleep mode when no movement is detected. This can greatly extend battery life.
In addition you can send custom alerts to friends and family. This could be useful if you want to involve others in tracking your cat.
Key features
- Battery life from 10-60 days
- Geofencing
- Send custom alerts to friends and family
- Monthly subscription fee
- Waterproof
Average rating 3.7 out of 5
You can buy Cube Bluetooth Real Time Smart Tracker here
In conclusion
Now you understand a bit more about cat trackers I hope this article has inspired you. I’ve shared with you what I believe to be the best cat trackers although I’ve never actually used one.
While some cats quickly get used to a device on their collar, others are not so keen. If your cat has never worn a collar it may be a good idea to get her used to wearing the collar first before adding the device.
All cats are different though and yours may get used to a tracker with no problems. As I’ve mentioned before, only buy a collar with quick release. This ensures your cat’s safety.
Whether you choose a basic radio frequency tracker or one that uses GPS is up to you, and depends on your situation. If your cat rarely wanders further than two doors away it may not be worth the cost.
However, having said that, it could be fun finding out how far your kitty walks. In addition, the heatmap provided by Findster shows your cat’s favorite places.
You may never have realised the lady 4 houses from you is feeding your kitty tasty treats! Seriously though, tracking your cat can be both fun and practical.
Knowing if your cat is being a bit too lazy is a good thing as you can try and get her to exercise and keep in shape. This can help prevent future health problems including diabetes and heart disease.
So far my cat has never ventured more than a short distance away. At least as far as I know. Though if I ever decide to buy a tracker I’ll share my experiences with you:)
If you’ve enjoyed this post and found it useful please share. Please feel free to share this pin on your “pets” post
In addition, if you have any questions or would like to share experiences please leave a comment below.
Wishing you a purrfect day:)
Kath
I would have loved to use the bluetooth tracker but too bad it only works for short distances. Maybe for those people who live in mansions and wonder what part of the house their cat is in hehehe. Anyways, I love your post and how you break down each of the trackers. After reading your review, I am leaning more towards a RF tracker because it is small, light, covers a decent range and has no monthly fees! I am sold!
I had a cat when I was a kid and i let it out to get some air and it never came back! And I took really good care of it for the time I had it, if you were wondering! I was sad for days and looked everywhere. I was scared that something bad must have happened to her. Too bad they didn’t have these devices when I was growing up. Now I never let my cat out of my sight lol.
Hi Sasha, thank you for your comment, and glad you enjoyed this post:) Yes, unfortunately, bluetooth doesn’t have global coverage, but you’re right it could help find your kitty indoors. It never ceases to amaze me the tight spots cats squeeze themselves into lol! Yes, RF trackers can cover a very decent range without paying a monthly fee. As cats rarely wander far it makes more sense anyway. I know how you feel about losing a cat that disappeared. A similar thing happened to me growing up. One of our furries was a little black cat called Dusty. He just vanished one day and we never found out what happened to him.
A cat tracker could be very useful for me. I live in the middle of nowhere, so my cats have lots of territory to roam. I don’t think that they go really far, but they are sometimes gone for a few hours. They do know when it’s dinner time though and are always back in time. It’s good that you mentioned the break away collar because I was worrying about them getting stuck somewhere with their collar while I wouldn’t have any idea of their whereabouts. One of my cats also loves to get inside my car when it’s parked with the windows open. No one’s living here now, but when people start moving in, I may have to get trackers for my kitties. It would also be cool to see how far they go and where they hang out.
Hi Christine, thanks for your comment and glad you found this post useful:) I can understand your concern as being in such a remote area could be a worry if your cats are gone for a few hours. Yes, isn’t it funny how they always return at mealtimes! You’re right that cats rarely wander far but it’s still nice to know they’re safe. As your cat knows your car it makes sense. I doubt he’d climb inside other parked cars though. Yes, trackers could be fun and probably amuse you at some of the places your cats spend their time! Thanks for stopping by:)
Hi Kathy,
Cat trackers are a great idea. They look like the same machines we use for our wifi or broadband 🙂
My friends who have a cats could really benefit from a cat tracker, and could be something I get them for Christmas 🙂 I will share your article with them and advise them to look into a cat tracker because it could be so helpful for them.
Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work.
All the best,
Tom
Hi Tom, thank you for your comment and glad you found this post helpful:) Yes, I’m sure your friends would benefit from a tracker for their cats. They would certainly make good Christmas presents. Thanks for stopping by:)
Hi Kathy,
This article reminds me of Apple’s newest product, called Airtag, and it’s really nice to see that we have other choices for our pets at affordable prices. From your recommendations, I love Girafus Cat Tracker the most since it’s the lightest choice, which will make it easier for cats. Do you think Girafus also work for little dogs too? In that case, I don’t need to purchase another one for my dog.
Cheers,
Matt
Hi Matt, thanks for your comment:) I haven’t heard of Airtag but just looked it up, and yes, I can see the similarity:) Girafus is a good choice as the tag is a bit lighter than some of the other brands. While some cats are fine with wearing a tracker others may feel uncomfortable. Yes, Girafus would definitely be fine for a small dog.
That’s an awesome idea! Our cats and dog are microchipped but still, sometimes, you’re worried about them so it’s a great idea to get one of these. I like the first model, BARTUN LTE GPS, because it has got an unlimited range. All other suggestions seem like a good purchase. Thanks for sharing this list, Kathy. Much appreciated! Keep up the good work.
Hi Ivan, thank you for comment and glad you enjoyed this post:) Yes, microchipping only works if someone finds your pet and takes it to a vet. It can’t be used for tracking. BARTUN LTE GPS is a good product and would work well for both your cat and dog.
I think cat trackers are very important because you get to easily find them as they can disappear at any time and be comfortably lying somewhere when you would be worried sick about them.
I would definitely go with the 3 Tractive Dog & Cat GPS Tracker because of its features, I think it will do a really good job keep track of your cats movements. Great job, this article will really be useful to anyone looking for the best cat trackers.
Keep up the good work
Hi Femi, thank you for your comment and glad you found this post useful:) Yes, I also like Tractive as it can track your cat in real time which can be reassuring. Cats are liable to wander further afield at times and knowing you can always check their location gives peace of mind:)