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Though they’re not a substitute for microchipping and close supervision, cat trackers keep tabs on your cat when they’re out of sight. They offer peace of mind for outdoor cats who wander too far and are a smart safety tool for travel. Even cats who stay indoors can benefit, especially those with a habit of trying to escape.
To help you decide, we’ve tested a range of different trackers, focusing on their accuracy, cat-friendliness, and ease of use. We’ve chosen the Tractive GPS Cat LTE + Tracker as the overall best GPS cat tracker you can buy, it might not be right for every cat. That’s why we’ve included a variety of other options for you to explore below.
Overall Best: Tractive GPS Tracker & Health Monitoring for Cats
Newly upgraded, the Tractive GPS Cat LTE + tracker uses LTE cellular technology to track your cat’s location via GPS. It has all the features we look for in a good GPS tracker, like the ability to create custom fences and receive alerts via mobile app when your cat strays from home.
The setup was simple: the app walks you through everything from attaching the device to a collar to setting up a personalized profile for your pet. The Tractive app is functional, intuitive, and readable. It also sends notifications when the tracker is low on batteries.
One of the device’s more interesting functions is a remote-activated LED light. When you press a button in the app, a light on the tracker will turn on. This function is helpful when you’re searching for your cat in the dark.
The Tractive updates once every 2 to 60 minutes in default tracking mode and every two to three seconds in live mode. If you’re trying to find your cat, you can use live tracking to narrow in on their location, then activate Find mode. The closer you get to your cat, the more rings will appear on the screen. You can also activate the collar’s LED light or a sound indicator from here.
The tracker itself has been redesigned with a curved shape to make it more comfortable for your cat. The lightweight device (just 1.2 ounces) is easy to attach to your cat’s collar. There’s also a “mini” tracker (0.9 ounces) that may be more comfortable for smaller cats, but the battery life is slightly shorter (2 days vs 3.5 days).
Although the new model offers beneficial features like a Wi-Fi power-saving device (it uses less battery on Wi-Fi), it doesn’t come with a spare battery like the previous model. The new model does offer up to 7 days of battery life, however, which is an improvement over the prior mode’s 2- to 3-day life.
This device also provides insights into your cat’s health by tracking your cat’s activity and sleep times. If either changes dramatically, the user will receive a Health Alert email. This can help you nip potential health problems in the bud.
Runner Up: Jiobit GPS Pet Tracker
Originally developed for kids, the Jiobit GPS Tracker is now being marketed for pets. This tracker offers an excellent suite of features with reliable performance in a lightweight package.
This cat tracker utilizes GPS technology to deliver real-time, turn-by-turn tracking in Live Mode. In my hands-on testing, I found it to be incredibly accurate—potentially more accurate than the Tractive tracker. The virtual fence feature worked consistently as well. I received a notification immediately when the tracker moved outside the set boundary.
Another useful feature this tracker offers is Bluetooth connectivity. This enables you to use the tracker reliably in your home. You can even activate a sound indicator to reveal your cat’s location.
In terms of appearance, this tracker is small and simple. It clips onto your cat’s existing collar and, because it weighs only 0.6 ounces, it shouldn’t be too obtrusive. The tracker is water-resistant, and you can purchase a fabric sleeve if you want to dress it up a bit.
The Jiobit tracker has a longer-lasting battery than several of the other trackers I tested. Jiobit suggests that it takes about 2.5 hours to charge, and the unit can run for a full week on a single charge in optimal conditions.
Priced at $129.99, the Jiobit tracker is a little more expensive than some of the others on this list. On top of the unit itself, you’ll also need to pay upwards of $8.99 per month for the subscription.
Best Tracker for Small Cats: Tabcat RF Tracker
The Locator Tabcat is a small, lightweight RF tracker made for cats. The tracker module sits in a rubber case and slips onto your cat’s collar, where it transmits to a handheld receiver device.
The handset’s strip of color-coded lights and beeping tone indicates whether you’re in range and how close you are to your cat. One handset pairs with up to four trackers, so it’s easy to outfit your entire fur family with Tabcat trackers.
After a quick activation process, the tracker was ready to use. Using the handset was straightforward and intuitive, and it proved consistent and accurate in several tests around the house. However, it was less useful during outdoor tests. Unlike a GPS tracker, which starts helping you navigate as soon as you’re ready to search, the Tabcat’s 400-foot range means that you’ll have to do some searching on your own before you get a reading.
The Tabcat was spot-on once it got into range and always gave an accurate reading.
Best Tracker for Indoor Cats: Apple Air Tags
Apple AirTags are designed to track easily misplaced items like wallets, keys, and backpacks. Apple specifically advises against using them on pets. But many people find AirTags to be an affordable way to achieve peace of mind.
AirTags utilize Bluetooth technology, which means their range is limited to about 100 feet. This makes them more useful in an indoor setting. If your cat likes to hide in your home, you can ping the tag, and it will emit a sound to help you find them.
In addition, these small devices can locate your cat when they come across anyone with an iPhone. This makes them especially useful for pet parents who live in populated areas with good cell coverage.
AirTags are just $29, and you don’t need a subscription. If your cat goes missing, you can activate the “Lost Mode” from the “Find My” app. This feature will send you a notification when your tag gets near the Bluetooth range of any iPhone user. You’ll also receive the address where your tag was located, and you can even send a message with care instructions to the phone user who picks up your cat.
However, if you live in a less populated area, an Apple AirTag will have limited use if your cat goes missing outside.
Best Budget Cat Tracker: Tracki GPS Tracker
Most GPS trackers don’t come cheap, but you can get the Tracki Pet Tracker for under $20. If you opt for a pre-paid two-year subscription, you’re looking at a reasonable $3.99 per month (month-to-month will run you $9.95). Tracki devices offer worldwide coverage—provided you’re in an area with GSM cellular service.
This tracker is designed for dogs, so it will probably be too bulky and heavy for smaller cats—but it could work for larger cats.
The app lets you create a profile for your pet. If they go missing, you can activate a lost pet alarm that shares images and contact information for your cat. The app also lets you share your pet’s location with up to ten friends and family members. If your pet is lost, these trusted people will be notified.
The live-tracking feature allows you to track your pet in real time—although it is only accessible 15 times per day. Additionally, you can create geofences and receive notifications whenever your cat crosses the perimeter.