9 Pet Tracking Products: Do They Actually Work, or Are They Just a Gimmick?

A few days ago, I came across two posts on social media about lost pets.

Every time I see something like that, my heart sinks. It is hard to imagine how a furry family member who was safe and carefree at home one day might survive outside after getting lost.

Preventing pets from getting lost is something every cat parent should take seriously. Today, there are many products that claim to help you find a lost pet through location tracking.

For this review, the author tested nine common pet-tracking and anti-loss products. The only way to find out whether they really work is to put them to the test.

At a glance

1. Probiotic LIVE Information Tag

The source card rated this item five out of five stars.

What I liked

• The tag has a simple, rounded shape that is less likely to snag on things.

• It is easy to use. After linking it to WeChat, the owner receives a text message with the pet’s location and the time of the scan when someone scans the QR code on the back of the tag.

• When someone scans the QR code, they can view the owner’s contact information.

Drawbacks

• It does not work with Android phones.

• If the code is scanned several times within a short period, the owner may receive only one text alert. It is not ideal for real-time tracking.

• The QR code on the back scratches easily.

• The tag is somewhat heavy and may be uncomfortable for smaller pets.

2. PETBIZ G1 Tracker

The source card rated this item three out of five stars.

What I liked

• It is easy to use: scanning the QR code displays information about the pet and its owner.

• The app can track the pet in real time and show its activity history.

• It can remain underwater for up to 30 minutes.

Drawbacks

• It is expensive.

• It may expose the owner’s personal information.

• The tracking unit is somewhat heavy and may be uncomfortable for smaller pets.

• The location information is not very accurate.

• It requires a paid renewal or subscription.

3. Mudis Dog Tag

The source card rated this item three out of five stars.

What I liked

• It is easy to use. Once the tag is linked, scanning the QR code on the back provides the pet’s current location.

• The front of the tag includes a notice indicating that the pet is lost.

Drawbacks

• After receiving the location, you cannot open it directly in a map app; you still have to enter the address manually.

• On Android phones, the location information sometimes fails to come through.

• The owner’s contact information is not available.

4. Finder Bell Tracker

The source card rated this item two out of five stars.

What I liked

• It has a cute, distinctive design.

• It is highly water-resistant.

Drawbacks

• It is expensive.

• Battery life is short.

• The signal is unreliable, and location updates are slow.

• The small clasp at the top is difficult to attach to a wider collar.

5. Getai 108 Pet Tracker

The source card rated this item two out of five stars.

What I liked

• Its location tracking is fairly accurate, with an error range of about 20 meters (66 feet).

Drawbacks

• The app’s listen-and-call feature is complicated to use.

6. RY Dog Tracker

The source card marked this item as not recommended.

Why I would not recommend it

• It is expensive and does not offer good value for the price.

• The tracker is somewhat heavy and may be uncomfortable for smaller pets.

• Location data uploads slowly, and the information can be quite inaccurate.

• The charging connector does not fit securely.

• The charging indicator light is difficult to see.

7. Getai Pet Tracking Collar

The source card marked this item as not recommended.

Why I would not recommend it

• It is expensive and does not offer good value for the price.

• The collar is too heavy.

• The activation process is complicated and time-consuming.

• During testing, it would not turn on properly.

• The SIM card is difficult to install.

8. Petalways Anti-Loss Tracker

The source card marked this item as not recommended.

Why I would not recommend it

• The device could not be linked to an account during testing.

9. Newsmmy Smart Tracker

The source card marked this item as not recommended.

Why I would not recommend it

• The device could not be linked to an account during testing.

May every cat parent keep their furry family members safe and well cared for throughout their lives.