Last Updated on 26 February, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

Having a cat is like having a little wild animal padding around your house. They’re independent yet loving (sometimes), adorable yet fierce, and clean yet oh so messy! Understandably, cat guardians want to keep track of their little furry companions, but there are so many options to choose from!

The best tracking device for cats is durable, lightweight, unobtrusive, and reliable. In this article, I’ll discuss the top 6 effective options for tracking our purring pals, whether it be inside the house or on adventures outdoors.

Here are the six tracking devices that will be discussed in this article:

• Tractive
• Tabcat
• Life360 Pet GPS
• Girafus
• Eureka Marco Polo
• Trackipet

I’ll also go over some of the other tracking devices, like Tile and Aire Tag, and discuss why these may not be the best options to track your cat. Let’s get started!

This post includes affiliate links, but rest assured that we only recommend items we would use ourselves. If you choose to make a purchase, we receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. There are no sponsorships; this is just the truth about our favorite finds.

Tracking Device for Cats: Overview

According to an article in the Journal of Animals, around 86 million cats are owned by people in the United States. (Or are the humans owned by the cats? With cats, it’s hard to tell sometimes!) The same journal article found that when cats are lost, only about 75% are recovered.

Using a tracking device is one way to increase that percentage and help your cat find their way back into your loving home. 

Below is an overview of the common characteristics of each cat tracking device that will be discussed in this article:

Here are some related articles that may help you and your adventure cat stay safe while using your cat tracking device:

• Ultimate Guide to the Best Adventure Cat Harness
• 8 Cat Hiking Gear Essentials
• 4 Best Cat Leashes for Hiking Adventures

1. Tractive

Tractive GPS cat tracker is the first option on our list of the best tracking device for cats. It utilizes GPS to hone in on your kitty’s location and provide live updates that you can easily track on the Tractive phone app.

Tractive at a glance:

• How it tracks: GPS
• Virtual fence: Yes
• Battery life: Up to 7 days
• Waterproof: Yes
• Range: Unlimited
• Requires a plan/subscription: Yes
• Price (2026, tracker only): $49
• Weight: 1 ounce

Now, let’s claw into the details!

How It Works

Tractive devices use a SIM card similar to your phone to connect to AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile LTE service, which works in over 175 countries around the world. While connected, it sends updates to your phone for live tracking using these mobile device services.

LTE provides the longest range of any cellular band, so you’ll get updates on your cat’s location no matter how far away you are from them, even if you’re in a different state, a different country, or even a different continent!

GPS is one of the best tracking options for a tracking device for cats because, unlike Bluetooth or radio frequency (RF), distance doesn’t matter.

Plan Options

For Tractive to work, you must purchase a plan. This is to cover the fees for the SIM card to work inside your cat’s tracking device.

Tractive offers two plan options with a variety of ways to pay, such as monthly, yearly, or even every 5 years!

• Basic Plan
  • Cost:
    • Annual Cost: $108
    • Bi-Annual Cost (billed once every two years): $144
  • Features:
    • GPS location tracking
    • Unlimited live tracking
    • Activity and sleep monitoring
• Premium Plan
  • Cost:
    • Annual Cost: $120
    • Bi-Annual Cost (billed once every two years): $168
    • Five-year plan (billed once every 5 years): $300
  • Features:
    • GPS location tracking
    • Unlimited live tracking
    • Activity and sleep monitoring
    • Family sharing
    • Worldwide coverage
    • A 365-day location history
    • GPS data export

Subscriptions are a great way to ensure you’re getting the best features out of your cat tracking device. If you’re unsure which plan is the best fit, start with the basic yearly plan. You can always upgrade later. You can cancel your subscription at any time, and Tractive offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Virtual Fences

The ability to create virtual fences is one of the best features of Tractive. Use the app to create safe zones, such as your backyard or a local park, and no-go zones, such as pools, busy streets, or your neighbor’s backyard.

When your pet leaves the safe zones or enters no-go zones, you’ll get an alert on your phone. This is a fantastic way to keep track of your cat and know when they are in dangerous areas.

Virtual fences are customized areas that you create right on the app. You can create circles, squares, or custom shapes for your virtual fence.

Community Danger Alerts

Another benefit of using Tractive is utilizing the Tractive community. On the app, others who have Tractive GPS devices can report dangers that they’ve seen in the area, such as coyotes, poisonous plants, broken glass, pesticide use, and more!

Just open the app and check the map to see dangers that others have marked. If you notice a hazard, you can add it to the map to help others keep their pets safe from danger.

Health and Activity Tracking

Every cat guardian knows that cats like to hide their symptoms when something is wrong. Tractive offers health and activity tracking that accumulates over time to alert you when something changes in your cat’s normal routine.

It can track their daily activity level and their sleep schedule, offering insight into how often they wake up at night and how often they are active. If something changes, the Tractive app will notify you and let you know what has changed, such as a decrease in movement or your cat waking up more frequently at night.

For cats, this is truly vital information and can alert you to issues that you may not even realize are present because cats are so good at hiding symptoms. 

Is Tractive Right For Your Cat?

While Tractive is at the top of our list for the best tracking device for cats, it’s not the best for every cat. So, what kind of kitties would benefit from Tractive?

• Adult cats: Tractive is meant to be worn on cats over 7 lbs, so it’s best for adult cats and should not be used on kittens.
• Outdoor cats: Because of its long range, Tractive is best for adventure cats or those that roam outdoors. If you have an indoor cat, there are easier and cheaper options to keep track of them.
• Cats used to collars: Even though the Tractive device weighs just 1 ounce, it can be quite cumbersome for kitties that aren’t used to wearing a collar. Make sure to train your cat to wear the device before letting them roam outside with it.

Final Thoughts on Tractive

Overall, Tractive is a solid choice for a tracking device for cats. Its GPS locating system makes it reliable, and its lightweight, meaning it fits most adult cats. The tracker comes with a breakaway safety collar that you can attach to, but you can also use a collar that your cat is already used to.

As far as subscriptions go, Tractive is about average in cost. There are cheaper options out there if you want to use a Bluetooth or RF device to track your purring pal, but it may not be as accurate or reliable.

If you’re looking for a good, solid tracker and your cat doesn’t mind the somewhat bulky device, then Tractive is a fantastic option! However, if you have a small adult cat (7 pounds or less) or are looking for a device for a kitten, this isn’t the best option.

Training your cat to use a leash and harness is an additional way to keep your kitty safe on adventures. Check out our article on how to harness-train your cat to learn how to get your cat ready for adventure!

2. Tabcat

The next tracking device for cats is Tabcat. This little tracking device can find your kitty down to 1 inch! Unlike Tractive, Tabcat does not require a monthly subscription, which is appealing to many cat guardians.

The Tabcat is one of the smallest tracking devices on our list, weighing just 0.21 ounces. This makes it a good choice for smaller cats or even kittens, making sure you keep track of your cat, no matter what size they are!

Tabcat at a glance:

• How it tracks: Radio Frequency (RF)
• Virtual fence: No
• Battery life: 2-4 months with daily use, 1 year with light use.
• Waterproof: No (water-resistant)
• Range: 500 feet
• Requires a plan/subscription: No
• Price (2026, tracker only): $119
• Weight: 0.21 ounces

How It Works

Tabcat utilizes radio frequency (RF) to locate your cat. Specifically, it uses a 2.45 GHz frequency, which can be used globally. While it’s helpful that Tabcat works anywhere in the world, it does require you to actually go out and find your cat instead of being able to simply see their location on an app, such as with a GPS tracker.

This tracking device for cats comes with a handheld remote and the tracking device, which attaches to your cat’s collar. When you want to find your cat, press the location button on the handheld remote. 

Lights and beeping will help direct you to your cat’s location if they are within range. If your cat is out of range, the device cannot locate your cat. However, if you walk around the neighborhood or where your cat likes to travel, the handheld remote will pick up the tracking device and begin beeping and lighting the correct direction to go to find your cat.

Specific Pairing

Once you pair your remote with the tracking device, other people’s Tabcat remotes and trackers will not interfere with your attempts to locate your beloved fuzzball. The device will only pair to a single control device.

Is Tabcat Right For Your Cat?

Tabcat is a fantastic option for those who don’t want to pay a monthly or yearly subscription. Once you purchase Tabcat, there’s no need to pay monthly or yearly fees. It’s also a great option for those who have smaller adult cats or kittens they want to keep track of.

One thing to remember about Tabcat is that you must physically go out and find your cat using the device. There is no app that shows your cat’s location. The handheld device utilizes lights and beeping to point you in the correct direction using radio frequency. 

Here are the best types of cats and guardians for Tabcat:

• Small cats and kittens: With a weight of just 0.21 ounces, Tabcat is a great option for small cats, as the device will not weigh them down or be uncomfortable.
• Indoor cats: Radio frequency works indoors, making it a good option for those wanting to track down their indoor cats when they sneak into unusual spaces within the house.
• Active cat parents: For those who don’t mind getting out and walking around to locate their purring pals, Tabcat is a good option. However, for those with mobility problems, this may not be the best option.
• Those who aren’t technologically inclined: For those who aren’t the best at using phone apps or advanced technology, Tabcat is a great option. It uses good old-fashioned radio frequency with no fancy bells or whistles!

Final Thoughts on Tabcat

Tabcat uses radio frequency technology to locate lost kitties that are within range. It works all around the world but has a limited range of 500 feet. This tracking device for cats is a solid choice if your cat just wanders around the neighborhood or occasionally gets lost in the house, but it’s not the best for long-distance locating.

If you travel to different areas, such as in vanlife or RV living, you may want a more reliable cat tracking device, such as a GPS locator. However, if your cat is small or you have a kitten, something like Tabcat may be your only option, as most GPS trackers are heavy.

3. Life360 Pet GPS

The Life360 pet GPS has replaced the Jiobit. It is a GPS cat tracker that uses a 5G-compatible network to locate your cat. One nice thing about the Life360 pet GPS is that it switches seamlessly between GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth to make sure you’re always connected to your kitty.

When you purchase a Life360 pet GPS, it comes with the tracker, a collar mount, a USB-C charging cord, and 2 adventure sleeves.

Life360 Pet GPS at a glance:

• How it tracks: GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth
• Virtual fence: Yes
• Battery life: 14 days
• Waterproof: No (water-resistant)
• Range: Unlimited*
• Requires a plan/subscription: Yes
• Price (2026, tracker only): $49.99
• Weight: 1.19 ounces

*One important thing to note about Life360 pet GPS is that it currently only works in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

How It Works

Unlike traditional GPS trackers, the Life360 pet GPS uses multiple modes of detection to keep track of your cat no matter where they go and no matter where you are. In addition to using GPS, Life360 pet GPS will switch seamlessly between cellular data, WiFi, and Bluetooth.

Live tracking is available on the Life360 app, giving you turn-by-turn updates on your kitty’s location as soon as they leave the safe zone (virtual fence).

The Life360 GPS pet device connects to your cat’s collar and connects to the Life360 app on your phone. From your phone, you’ll be able to see where your cat is and can even keep track of their location history!

Plan Options

A subscription is required to use the Life360 pet GPS to track your kitty. This covers the price of the SIM card that is active in the device. No additional SIM card or cellular data plan is necessary besides the one offered by Life360.

The Life360 Pet GPS only works with gold or platinum memberships on the Life360 app:

• Gold Membership:
  • Monthly: $14.99/mo
  • Yearly: $149.99/yr
• Platinum Membership:
  • Monthly: $24.99/mo
  • Yearly: $249.99/yr

The main difference between the gold and platinum membership are the additional driving features, such as free towing (5 miles for gold, 50 miles for platinum) and extra support during crash detection incidents. As far as the pet GPS tracking is concerned, a gold membership would suffice if you don’t care about the additional driving features.

Trusted Places

Similar to Tractive’s virtual fences, Life360 offers ‘safe zones.’ Set safe zones on the app by setting the boundary and naming the place. When your cat crosses in or out of the safe zone, you’ll get an alert on your phone through the app.

The great thing about Life360’s safe zone is that, as soon as your cat sneaks out of it, you can enable the ‘escaped pet’ mode, which alerts everyone in your Life360 circle that your cat is on the loose, getting all hands on deck!

Live Tracking

If you want to see the exact path your cat is making in real time, you can choose to turn on live tracking. This automatically connects to GPS and gives you turn-by-turn updates on your cat every 2 to 4 seconds.

When not in Live tracking mode, the Life360 pet GPS will still provide the location of your cat, but it will not provide turn-by-turn updates on where they are going. This is an excellent feature if you are trying to actively locate your cat and want to know in what direction they are heading.

All In The Family

Another amazing feature of the Life360 pet GPS is that you can keep track of everyone in your family, human and furry, all in one app. See where your cat, your parents, or your children are all on one map through the app. And with a gold or platinum membership, your family will get extra benefits in case of an emergency while driving.

Ready for Adventure

The Life360 pet GPS is water and bite-resistant, making it a great choice for those who adventure with their cat outdoors. Additionally, it features a safety light that makes your cat more visible in low-light conditions.

This cat tracking device also features a 6-month power reserve mode. If the battery on your cat’s GPS unit drops below 6%, it automatically goes into power saving mode by turning off GPS and satellite and utilizing only Bluetooth.

Is The Life360 Pet GPS Right For Your Cat?

Life360 Pet GPS has a ton of features that make it a valuable choice on our list of the best tracking device for cats. As with any cat tracking device, there are downsides. So, is this tracker right for your kitty?

Here are the types of cats and pet parents who will benefit most from Life360:

• Limited Countries: Life360 Pet GPS currently only works in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. If you live outside of these countries, this isn’t a good fit.
• Adult cats: The Life360 Pet GPS is the heaviest on our list at nearly 1.2 ounces. It’s not a good fit for petite cats or kittens.
• All the bells and whistles: Life360 Pet GPS is a great option for those who like all the bells and whistles. It offers smart fencing, live tracking, Bluetooth alerts, and community alert options, giving you the widest range of features to keep your purring pal safe.

Final Thoughts on the Life360 Pet GPS

Life360 has many of the same features as Tractive, with additional Bluetooth alerts and the option to have family members and friends in your circle. The price of the plan is about average and includes many additional features for driving.

Life 360 uses GPS, cellular data, and Bluetooth, making it a good option when service is available, but not the best option if you plan to be out of a cellular network. Life360 Pet GPS is not waterproof, so if your cat likes to swim, Tractive’s waterproof device may be a better option.

Overall, Life360 is a solid choice if you are comfortable using the app to track your cat. It’s durable but heavier than most tracking devices, making it only suitable for adult cats. It also attaches to your cat’s current collar, so there’s no need to buy special collars or harnesses to use it.

4. Girafus

Girafus is a fantastic tracking device for cats. It uses radio frequency (RF) at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, which won’t interfere with other wireless devices. The Girafus works similarly to Tabcat but is slightly heavier at around 0.3 ounces.

Finding your cat using Girafus is just like playing ‘hot and cold.’ Walk in one direction, and the handheld remote will beep and light up if you’re approaching the device on your cat. The closer you get, the louder the beeps and the more lights.

Girafus at a glance:

• How it tracks: Radio Frequency (RF)
• Virtual fence: No
• Battery life: 7 days with moderate use (10 minutes per day)
• Waterproof: No (water-resistant)
• Range: 1,640 feet in open terrain.
• Requires a plan/subscription: No
• Price (2026, tracker only): $95
• Weight: 0.3 ounces

How It Works

Like Tabcat, Girafus works using radio frequency. When your cat gets loose or hasn’t come home on time, you basically play a game of hot and cold with your cat’s tag.

The handheld module will light up with LED indicators that let you know which direction to go. Simply pick a direction and walk, and if you’re going in the wrong direction, the handheld device will let you know. 

As you get closer to your mischievous cat, the handheld module will produce more lights as well as beeps, letting you know you’re on the right course. There is no app for Girafus, as it does not utilize GPS. 

Rechargeable Batteries

It may come as a surprise to learn that the Girafus batteries only last about 7 days compared to Tabcat’s 2-4 months. This is because the Girafus is always at work locating your kitty. Luckily, you don’t need to shell out a bunch of money on batteries, as the ones that come with the Girafus are rechargeable!

The charger and batteries are included with your purchase. The Girafus hand module uses 3 AAA batteries, and the tracking device that goes on your kitty uses LIR2032 coin batteries.

Is Girafus Right For Your Cat?

Using an RF device like Girafus requires some legwork, so it’s not the best choice for everyone. It also cannot show you where your cat is at all times, like GPS devices.

Here are the cats and their guardians that would benefit the most from Girafus:

• Multi-cat households or travelers: Girafus has the option of tracking up to 4 cats with the same device. This is helpful for multi-cat households or those that travel with more than one cat.
• Walk to find: Girafus is a good option for those who don’t mind going out and finding their cat. RF technology requires you to physically walk to your cat, wherever they may be lounging.
• Limited battery: The battery on Girafus does not last as long as other RF options on our list, so this would only be suitable for those who feel they can stay on top of keeping the batteries charged on the device.
• No subscription: For those who want to avoid paying a monthly subscription, Girafus is a good choice. You pay once for the device, and that’s it!

Final Thoughts on Girafus

Girafus is a tracking device for cats that works by using RF technology to locate your kitty. When searching for your cat, the handheld module will beep and light up to indicate which direction your cat is in.

Compared to Tabcat (another RF cat tracker), Girafus is less expensive. However, the device on the cat collar is slightly heavier (0.2 ounces with Tabcat versus 0.3 ounces with Girafus).

Battery life is one of the biggest downsides to Girafus. The battery only lasts about 7 days if used for 10 minutes per day. If the device is used more frequently, the battery life is even shorter. This is on par with some GPS devices, which offer more precise location and an app to see exactly where your furball is at all times.

Overall, there are better options out there than Girafus to locate your cat. However, if you’re on a budget and want something quick and easy, Girafus may be a good choice.

5. Eureka Marco Polo Advanced Pet Tracker

Yet another excellent tracking device for cats is the Eureka Marco Polo. Instead of RF, GPS, or Bluetooth, it works using radar. It does not require cellular service or GPS to function and has no monthly fee, making it an easy-to-use tracking device for cats.

The big difference between Eureka Marco Polo and other tracking devices is that it has a large LCD screen that points you in the direction of your cat, instead of relying on beeping and LED indicator lights. This makes it much easier to understand the direction and distance to your pet when searching.

Eureka Marco Polo at a glance:

• How it tracks: Radar
• Virtual fence: Yes
• Battery life: 45 days
• Waterproof: Yes
• Range: 2 miles
• Requires a plan/subscription: No
• Price (2026, tracker only): $274.95
• Weight: 0.8 ounces

How Eureka Marco Polo Works

The Eureka Marco Polo works similarly to RF tracking devices, but is more like personal radar than a radio signal. It operates on a frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) on frequencies ranging between 902.5 and 906.5 Mhz.

The handheld locator has an LCD screen and transmits a ping to your pet’s tag either every 5 seconds in tracking mode or every 40 seconds in monitoring mode. Your cat’s tag receives the ping and transmits a signal back to the locator, which then determines the direction and distance to the tag, indicating it on the LCD screen.

Track mode should be used when actively searching for your cat, while monitor mode can be used at all other times. When in monitor mode, the handheld locator will alert you if your mischievous cat leaves your programmed safe zone, such as your yard, the house, or an RV.

Rugged

One of the standout features of the Marco Polo is that it’s rugged. The tag comes in a ballistic nylon cloth that is military grade to handle 100 pounds! The tag attaches using four velcro straps but still offers a soft nylon backing to make it comfortable for our finicky felines.

In addition to the rugged tag cover, the Marco Polo is also waterproof. If your adventurous kitty likes to paddleboard or boat, this is an excellent option. The nylon cover on the tag can be removed and machine-washed if your cat decides to roll around in the dust or grass!

Monitoring Mode Vs. Tracking Mode

The Eureka Marco Polo has two modes:

• Monitoring Mode: This is a passive tracking mode that pings your cat’s tag every 40 seconds. It conserves battery while still monitoring your pet to make sure they stay in your designated safe zones.
• Tracking Mode: If your cat has wandered outside the safe zone, use tracking mode to track down that little fuzzball. This mode pings your cat’s collar every 5 seconds, giving you nearly live updates on your cat’s whereabouts.

The two different features help conserve the battery life of the tag and the handheld locator, giving you extended battery life between charges. Ideally, you’ll want the locator inside your home, in a place where you can hear the alarm if your pet walks outside of the safe zone.

Safe Zones

Like GPS trackers, Marco Polo allows you to program safe zones. These are programmed using the handheld locator, similar to how you would program it into a GPS tracker’s app. Once the safe zone is programmed, Marco Polo monitors your fuzzball 24/7. 

If your cat leaves the safe zone, the handheld locator will sound off an alarm to let you know. But what happens if your cat escapes the safe zone while you’re away from the locator, such as in the yard or at the store?

Marco Polo offers two options to get alerts, even when you’re not near the handheld locator:

• External Alarm Accessory: This attaches to the handheld locator and blares a very loud alarm that can be heard throughout the house, garage, and yard. If your cat escapes during the night, the alarm is loud enough to wake you up!
• Phone Dialer: When connected to a landline, this accessory can dial out to up to 4 lines (including cell phones and work phones) to let you know your beloved kitty has left the safe zone.

You can’t always be expected to be around the handheld locator, so these options add a layer of security, making sure you’re always informed about your cat’s location.

Is Eureka Marco Polo Right For Your Cat?

The best tracking device for cats will be the one that fits your lifestyle, your cat, and your expectations. So, what kitties and cat paw-rents would benefit most from the Eureka Marco Polo?

• Adventure cats: Because the Marco Polo is so rugged, it works great for adventure cats that get out there on the trails, paddleboards, boats, and up into the trees. The Marco Polo may be a little overboard for house cats.
• Up-front Cost: While the Marco Polo doesn’t have any monthly fees, it’s one of the most expensive up-front costs for a tracking device for cats. If your budget allows, this is a fantastic choice and will incur no additional monthly subscription fees.
• Vanlife and RV cats: For those who vanlife or travel in an RV, the Marco Polo is a great option because it’s rugged and has no upkeep costs. The extended battery life also makes it convenient for those who run their rigs on a 12V system, as you won’t have to charge it on an inverter daily like some GPS units.

If you’re thinking about vanlifing with your cat, check out our article on how to vanlife with a cat for tips and tricks on making the transition.

Final Thoughts on the Marco Polo

If you don’t want monthly subscriptions and are okay with not knowing the exact location of your cat at all times, the Marco Polo is top-notch in the RF/radar department.

Despite not having an app, the large LCD handheld locator acts similarly to an app and allows you to program virtual fences, called safe zones. This is a huge advantage over other RF cat trackers and pushes Marco Polo to the top of the list for those wanting an RF tracker. 

If your cat is an indoor-only or a couch potato, the Marco Polo is probably overboard. You could get away with a Bluetooth device like the Air Tag, Tile, or Cat Tailer (more on those later!).

6. Trackipet

Tracki is a GPS tracking device for cats (and a dog tracker, too!). This tracker utilizes the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) to send signals to the receiver so that you can locate your wandering kitty.

Tracki GPS at a glance:

• How it tracks: GPS
• Virtual fence: Yes
• Battery life: 7 days
• Waterproof: Yes
• Range: Unlimited
• Requires a plan/subscription: Yes
• Price (2026, tracker only): $49.99
• Weight: 1.06 ounces

How It Works

The Trackipet GPS tracking device for cats uses 4G, 3G, and 2G to locate your pet, similar to using GPS on your phone to navigate maps. The Trackipet can also use WiFi when connected.

Trackipet updates your pet’s location once per minute or once every 5 seconds when actively searching for your cat in ‘chase mode.’ With 3G and 2G capabilities, Trackipet can track off of old cellular towers as well as LTE 4G towers.

Plan Options

Trackipet offers four different plan options. Each plan has the same benefits. The only difference is the length of the subscription and the subsequent payment per month.

• Flexible Monthly: $9.95/month
• Six-Month Plan: Pay $49.95 every six months (about $8.33/month)
• Annual Plan: Pay $79.95 once per year (about $6.66/month)
• 2 Year Saver Plan: Pay $119.95 once every two years (about $5/month)

A great option would be to start with the flexible monthly plan and then, if you decide you like Trackipet, upgrade to a longer plan to save some cash.

Designated Safe Zones

Trackipet’s free app allows you to create designated safe zones, similar to a virtual fence. When your pet leaves the safe zone, you’ll receive an alert via text, email, and push notifications on your phone.

Chase Mode

If your kitty is determined to hide, you can activate ‘chase mode’ on the app. This gives you an update on your cat’s location every 5 seconds instead of every 60 seconds. 

While in Chase Mode, use the app’s map to locate your pet. The map will update every 5 seconds to give you an accurate location.

Community Ring Finder

One feature of Trackipet that sets it above others is its ability to invite others to the app. This is great if you live in a neighborhood, as you can invite your neighbors on the app. When using chase mode, you can send out alerts to your neighbors, who can help you locate your kitty in a group effort!

This feature may not be as useful for those traveling in a van or RV, but it can be helpful if you’re parked in a campground and need emergency assistance from your fellow campers.

24/7 Customer Service

Trackipet offers its customers 24/7 customer service with its online help and chat feature. While many tracking devices offer customer support, Trackipet makes it a point to let you know they’re here for you, no matter where you’re located and no matter what time of day or night it is.

This offers peace of mind, knowing that if your tracker has issues, you can get it resolved right away without having to wait for customer service hours.

Is Trackipet Right For Your Cat?

Trackipet is a tracking device for cats that uses GPS to locate your adventurous kitty. Here are the cats and cat parents that will benefit most from the Trackipet:

• Larger cats: The Trackipet is the second-heaviest GPS tracker on our list at 1.06 ounces. While this isn’t very heavy, this cat tracker is best for larger adult cats that can handle the weight on their collars. 
• Adventurous cats: Trackipet is water- and dust-proof, making it an excellent choice for those with adventure cats that like to paddleboard, swim, roll in the dirt, and hike. Couch potatoes and house cats could get away with a Bluetooth device.
• Neighborhood cats: For those who live in a neighborhood, Trackipet gives you the option of involving your neighbors on the app when your purring pal has escaped. This is an excellent feature for those who live in a neighborhood, but it isn’t the best for those traveling in desolate areas.

Final Thoughts On Trackipet

Trackipet is a tracking device for cats that uses the 4G LTE network to locate your cat on a free app. Compared to other GPS tracking devices, the Trackipet is heavier, so it’s only a good option if your cat is larger and can handle the weight on their collar.

The neighborhood feature stands out as one of Trackipets’ best characteristics. It lets you involve your neighbors when searching for your cat, which can bring your feline friend home faster.

In terms of cost, Trackipet is cheaper than some of the other GPS units on our list. The yearly and two-year plans are lower than both Tractive and Life360. Their 24/7 support is also a bonus that you don’t get with other tracking devices.

Overall, Trackipet is a solid option for a GPS tracking device for cats as long as your purring pal can handle the weight. The low monthly costs and the relatively low upfront cost make it a budget-friendly option with all of the same locating characteristics of more expensive GPS units.

What About Air Tags and Tiles?

Bluetooth tracker devices like Air Tag, Tile, and Cat Tailer are handy for finding lost items like your keys and wallet, but they’re not the best tracking device for cats that have been lost or go on adventures with their humans.

Here’s why a Bluetooth tracking device for cats isn’t the best for finding your mischievous cat:

• Limited Range: Air tags have a range of 100 feet in open space and 30 feet indoors. The Tile is 100-350 feet, depending on the area. The Cat Tailer has a range of 328 feet. This limited range means that once your cat exceeds that distance, you can no longer track them.
• Not durable: Bluetooth tracker devices like Tile and AirTag aren’t really meant for pets. There’s no secure way of attaching them to your pet, and therefore, it is very easy for the tracker to fall off or break if they rub against something or get snagged on a fence or tree. To put it in perspective, I bought a Tile for my adventurous dog, and it broke after 3 days.
• Dependent on other devices: Trackers like the Apple AirTag and Tile depend on other people being near your lost pet to ping their location when they are out of range. If your cat escapes into a forest, there won’t be devices around to ping their location.

Overall, I would not recommend a Bluetooth tracking device to keep track of your cat. Even if they are strictly indoors, there’s always the chance they will escape out the door or window and get out of range quickly, leaving you with no clue as to where they are.

GPS and RF trackers are the best choice, especially if you have an outdoor cat or a kitty who goes on adventures with their humans to hiking trails or other activities.

Pros and Cons of GPS, Bluetooth, RF

When searching for the best tracking device for cats, you may be wondering what the big differences are between GPS, Bluetooth, and Radio Frequency (RF). 

Let’s quickly discuss the differences between using a GPS, RF, or Bluetooth tracking device for cats. This will help you better understand which device is the best for your and your cat’s lifestyle!

• GPS Pros:
  • Long distance or unlimited range
  • Most GPS trackers have an app for your phone so you can look at a map
  • Many use cellular networks to pinpoint your cat’s location within a few inches or feet.
  • Virtual fences
• GPS Cons:
  • Doesn’t work in enclosed spaces
  • Limited battery life
  • Requires subscription

• RF Pros:
  • Moderate distance coverage
  • Technology works anywhere in the world
  • No subscriptions
  • Typically has a longer battery life than GPS devices
• RF Cons:
  • No app
  • You cannot get live updates on your pet’s location
  • Most do not have virtual fences
  • No alerts on phone

• Bluetooth Pros:
  • Long battery life
  • Lower cost
  • No subscriptions
  • Works in enclosed spaces
• Bluetooth Cons:
  • Limited range
  • Dependent on other devices
  • No virtual fences
  • Not durable
  • Many Bluetooth devices are not meant for pets, so there is no secure way to attach them to your pet.

If your cat is always indoors and you just want to know where they are inside the house, a Bluetooth device may work for you. However, for adventurous felines or those that leave the house, a GPS or RF tracker is the best choice.

Best Tracking Device for Cats: Wrap-Up Session

Now that we’ve gone over the 6 most effective tracking devices for adventurous kitties, let’s wrap up and review the most essential information.

To recap, here are the six cat tracking devices that I highly recommend to keep track of your purring pal:

• Tractive (GPS)
• Tabcat (RF)
• Life360 (GPS, Cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth)
• Girafus (RF)
• Eureka Marco Polo (RF/Radar)
• Trackipet (GPS)

Each tracking device comes with its own set of unique features and characteristics. Think about what kind of adventure you and your cat will go on, and which tracking device will be most effective at keeping track of your pet.

If you don’t mind charging the device often, go for a GPS device for pinpoint accuracy, no matter how far away you are. If you’d rather have a little more battery life but give up an easy-to-read map, check out the RF or Radar devices.

It’s all about what fits your lifestyle! Until next time, give your fuzzy pal an extra pet from us, and keep exploring with your adventure cat! For more tips on having adventures with your purring pal, check out our Dirtbags with Furbags blog!