Some cats can be homebodies, hiding behind furniture or finding a cozy space on top of one. Some cats would like to explore the outdoors, again finding themselves a comfortable spot behind bushes or on top of trees.
Cats majorly tend to stay within the one-mile radius around their homes. But as a cat parent, when you cannot find your pet, you are bound to stress about it. So, how do you ensure your cat is free to move around while you know its location? It is a cat tracker that can help in such situations.
Owing to my experience and interest in the GPS space, I have tested several portable trackers meant for people, pets, and assets.
Typically, a GPS tracker for cats can provide you with your cat’s location or direct you towards it. Some offer live tracking, safety zone alerts, and advanced features like activity tracking. Some require a subscription, whereas others do not.
Our Top Recommendation For Cat GPS Tracker!
- Tractive GPS is a complete cat-tracking solution with health-monitoring benefits as well.
- It is suitable for cats above 9 lbs.
- It offers features like unlimited live tracking, virtual fences, worldwide coverage, activity, and sleep tracking.
To help with your buying decision, I have tested several cat trackers and put together a list for your convenience. The article will look at my tracker recommendations with their design and feature details.
5 Best GPS Tracker for Cats in 2024
These cat trackers have been tested on cats with different activity levels both indoors and outdoors. I have considered factors like size, location accuracy, setup, usability, features, and performance.
Here are my top five cat recommendations.
- Tractive GPS Tracker for Cats – Best Overall Cat Tracker
- Cat Tailer Cat Tracker – Best Budget-Friendly Cat Tracker
- Girafus Pro Track – Best Multi-Device Cat Tracker
- Tabcat V2 Cat Tracker – Best Customer-Rated Cat Tracker
- Weenect XS Mini GPS for Cats – Best Feature-Rich Cat Tracker
1. Tractive GPS Tracker for Cats – Best Overall Cat Tracker
Does your cat like to roam around the neighborhood and beyond? Does it have several hiding places inside and around the house? If yes, consider the GPS tracker by Tractive, which is specially designed for cats.
The tracker provides reliable location updates. It has features like live tracking, virtual fences, and location sharing. You need a subscription plan to use the Tractive device.
Here is how the Tractive GPS tracker performs.
Design
The Tractive device has a compact design, weighing about 1.2 ounces. It is meant for cats weighing over 9 lbs. If you want to track kittens or small cats, consider the Tractive Cat Mini, which uses the same technology but has a smaller size.
The device has an IPX7 waterproof rating. A rubber sleeve is included with your purchase for extra protection.
It has a rechargeable battery that can last up to three days. Using the power-saving mode can extend the battery life to eight days. The magnetic cable provided is short in length, so charging it can be a bit inconvenient. It takes about three to four hours to charge the tracker entirely.
Usability
To activate the tracker, download the Tractive app and create an account. Alternatively, you can use the Tractive website.
Activate the tracker by entering the character ID and choosing and paying for a subscription plan. You can choose from basic and premium plans.
It is best to use the app to track your cat, as the website can lack certain features. In the default tracking mode, you get updates every 2 to 60 minutes.
Features
You can create up to five virtual fences. These fences could be circular, rectangular, or custom-shaped. It is best to set the fences with a 50 to 100-meter radius for accurate entry and exit alerts.
You can track your cat’s activity levels, for example, the time it spends walking, running, and resting. You can also monitor its sleep quality. A diversion from the baseline numbers could indicate a health issue.
With a premium plan, you get features like worldwide coverage, family sharing, and a year of historical data.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimension | 2.8 x 1.1 x 0.6 inches |
| Weight | 1.2 ounces |
| Battery | Rechargeable, Last up to 8 days |
| Connectivity | LTE/4G, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| Tracking Range | Unlimited, Worldwide Coverage (with premium plan) |
| Warranty | Two years |
| Customer Support | Support portal, Submit a request through the website Chat |
| Tracker Price | Starts from $34.99 |
| Subscription | Starts from $5 to $13/month |
Pros
- The tracker can be used indoors and outdoors.
- You can set up to five virtual fences.
- It can track your cat’s activity and sleep levels.
- You get unlimited live tracking regardless of the subscription plan.
Cons
- You must pay for a premium plan for worldwide coverage.
- The tracker’s ringer volume needs to be louder.
2. Cat Tailer Cat Tracker – Best Budget-Friendly Cat Tracker
If you are looking for a budget-friendly cat tracker, consider the Bluetooth tracker by Cat Tailer. It is best suited for indoor cats and the ones that do not venture far from home.
With the Cat Tailer, you can track up to a distance of 328 feet. The tracker is priced at $67.00. You do not have to pay subscription fees, so the tracker can be a cost-conscious investment.
Here is how the Cat Tailer tracker performs.
Design
The tracker has a circular design. It can be attached to your cat’s collar like a name tag. The brand claims the device is waterproof. But you should be careful, as the device covering is plastic.
The tracker is powered by a coin cell battery. It has a lifetime of up to six months. Replacing the battery can be a challenge.
Rotate the tracker case counterclockwise to open the device, remove the circuit board and the old battery, and insert the new one. To close the tracker, rotate the case cover clockwise.
Usability
You must open the tracker case to power on and activate the device, as the power button is on the circuit board. You may have to use a non-metallic object to press the button. You should see a flash of green light, indicating the tracker is on and activated.
You can track your cat using the Cat Tailer app. You can add multiple devices to the same account.
The tracker emits a signal every second. When the app detects the signal, it tells you how far you are from the cat. You must follow the signal strength to locate your pet.
Features
The tracker offers limited features apart from tracking your pet. The tracker does not ring, but the LED flashes green once a minute. So you will be able to see your cat quicker at night time.
If your cat goes missing, multiple people can download the Cat Tailer app and help search for it.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimension | 1.06 inches round |
| Weight | 0.24 ounces |
| Battery | 1 Lithium cell CR1632 battery |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Tracking Range | 328 feet |
| Warranty | 1-year |
| Customer Support | Email, Phone |
| Tracker Price | $67.00 |
| Subscription | No-monthly fee tracker |
Pros
- The tracker is compatible with Apple and Android devices.
- The tracker fits most standard cat collars.
- Its battery can last up to six months.
- It has a flashing light for easy detection.
Cons
- It has a short tracking range.
- Locating the tracker can be time-consuming.
3. Girafus Pro Track – Best Multi-Device Cat Tracker
Are you a pet parent to several cats? Are separate trackers and subscription costs burning a hole in your pocket? If yes, consider getting the cat tracker from Girafus.
The tracker uses RF-based technology to locate your cat. It is a combination of a base and tag device. One base module can support up to four tag devices. So, with Girafus, you can track multiple cats or purchase the tag devices as a backup.
Here is how the Girafus Pro Track tracker performs.
Design
You can buy the cat tracker with one to four tag devices. The base module, which includes two AAA batteries, will be used to locate the cat.
The tag device with rechargeable lithium coin batteries will be attached to the cat’s collar. The tag device is lightweight and can be used for small to big cats. You will receive the charger for the coin batteries in the box.
You will receive a silicone case for the tag device. The sleeve has two slots through which you can thread the cat’s collar or use the velcro attachment.
Usability
The tag devices with your purchase are already synchronized to the base module. By the default design, the white tag device connects to the first button, the black to the second, the purple to the third, and the pink to the fourth.
Press the button connected to the tag device you want to find. If your cat is in range, the LEDs on the base module should light up. The more the number of lights, the closer you are to your cat.
If you cannot find a signal, you must move around slowly until you find one. You will initially need time to get used to the tracker as its working differs from typical GPS trackers.
Features
The strongest selling point of the tracker is that you can track up to four cats with one base module. You do not have to pay a subscription fee. You do not need your smartphone or mobile data.
The base module is fitted with an alarm. The closer you get to the cat, the louder the alarm will be. You can easily turn off the alarm using the switch at the side of the base module.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimension (base module) | 3.7 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches |
| Weight (base module) | 1.2 ounces |
| Dimension (tag module) | 1.4 x 0.9 x 0.4 inches |
| Weight (tag module) | 0.14 ounces |
| Battery (base module) | 3A batteries |
| Battery (tag module) | Rechargeable battery |
| Connectivity | RF-based technology |
| Tracking Range | 500 meters |
| Warranty | NA |
| Customer Support | Email, Call |
| Tracker Price | Starts from $85.99 |
| Subscription | No subscription costs |
Pros
- The tracker can be used indoors and outdoors.
- The tag module is lightweight, weighing 0.14 ounces
- You can track up to four pets with one base module.
- It is a no-monthly fee cat tracker.
Cons
- You must replace the tag batteries frequently.
- The attachment options provided are not sturdy.
4. Tabcat V2 Cat Tracker – Best Customer-Rated Cat Tracker
If you are looking for a tracker approved by cat parents, consider the newer version of the Tabcat tracker. It has a 4.3 out of 5 rating on Amazon.
The tracker uses RF technology to locate your cat. Like the tracker from Girafus, Tabcat is also a combination of a base handset and homing tags. One handset can support up to four homing tags.
Here is how the Tabcat V2 cat tracker performs.
Design
With your Tabcat purchase, you get one base handset, two homing tags, and two splashproof cases. You can purchase a kit with four homing tags if you have more pets.
The handset is shaped like a credit card. It uses a CR2032 battery. It has four buttons on it, each corresponding to one tag device.
With the new version, the homing tag has been reduced in size. It weighs 0.17 ounces. You can place the tags in the silicone cases, and they can then be attached to your cat’s collar.
Tabcat recommends you change the battery every couple of months if you use the tracker regularly. If not, you can change the batteries once every four months.
Usability
Remove the white strip at the back of the devices to activate the handset and tags. The devices will beep and flash a red light once they are activated.
You can register the tag to any of the four buttons on the handset. Place the tag device near the handset. Press the button you want to assign to the tag for three seconds; release when you hear a beep. For successful registration, ensure you have only one tag device near the handset.
Like other RF-based trackers on the list, the device provides you with the direction of where your cat is. You must move around slowly in locations your cat frequents to catch a signal.
Features
When the handset comes in the range of the homing tag, the LEDs on it will start flashing. It will also start beeping.
When you get near your cat, I recommend you turn down the volume on the handset. This will help you listen to the beeping the tag makes.
The beeping sound of the tag device can also be used to train your cat when it is time to return home.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
| Tag Dimension | 1.18 x 0.79 x 0.35 inches |
| Tag Weight | 0.17 ounces |
| Handset battery | 1 CR2032 battery |
| Tag Battery | 2 SR1130 batteries for each tag |
| connectivity | RF-based, 2.45GHz frequency band |
| Tracking range | 182 meters/ 600 feet |
| warranty | 30 days money back guarantee, 2 years manufacturer warranty |
| Customer Support | Web, Email, Phone |
| Tracker Prize | Starts from $99.99 |
| Subscription | No subscription costs |
Pros
- You can track your pet indoors and outdoors.
- The homing tag weighs 0.17 ounces and is suitable for cats of all sizes.
- It is a no-monthly fee tracker.
- It has a long battery life.
Cons
- It has a limited tracking distance of 182 meters.
- It does not offer features like safety zones.
5. Weenect XS Mini GPS for Cats – Best Feature-Rich Cat Tracker
If your cat enjoys its adventurous escapades outside the house, consider using the Weenect XS tracker to keep an eye on it.
Regardless of your subscription plan, you can get location updates every 30 seconds to 60 minutes. It offers several features like live tracking, safety zones, history, and recall training.
Here is how the Weenect XS mini GPS tracker performs.
Design
The Weenect tracker’s weight is just under an ounce. With its dimensions of 2.3 x 0.9 x 0.5 inches, it is comparatively bigger. I recommend the tracker for big cats. The device may be uncomfortable for small cats and kittens.
It has an IP68 rating, meaning it can withstand dust. It can withstand being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, up to a meter.
You get a silicone case with your purchase. You can use it to attach it to the breakaway collar or any standard cat collar.
The tracker has a 500 mAh rechargeable battery lasting three to ten days, depending on use. The battery can drain quickly with frequent updates, so be prepared to charge it every couple of days.
Usability
Download the Weenect app and create an account to activate the tracker. You will need the IMEI number on the back of the device. Select a subscription plan and complete payment.
Once the payment goes through, you can use the Weenect tracker. You can build your pet’s profile with details like type, age, sex, height, and weight.
You can track your cat using the map view. At a glance, you can see details like your location from the tracker, battery percentage, and GPS accuracy.
The app is straightforward to use, but its performance has degraded with recent updates. Weenect must work on improving its user experience.
Features
This feature-rich tracker offers unlimited safety zones. You can get entry and exit alerts through push and email notifications. For text alerts, consider getting a premium plan.
If your cat has wandered outside the safety zone around your home, you can use SuperLive to track it down. The feature provides updates every 10 seconds for up to 5 minutes.
You can get the tracker to ring or vibrate remotely. These stimuli can be used for recall training.
You can view the tracker history to understand where your cat spends the most time. Weenect can also track your cat’s activity levels.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimension | 2.3 x 0.9 x 0.5 inches |
| Weight | 0.95 ounces |
| Battery | Rechargeable Lithium-ion, 500 mAh |
| Connectivity | GPS, Compatible with 4G and 2G, 5G-ready |
| Tracking Range | Unlimited Coverage provided in 30+ countries including the US, the UK, Germany, France, and Italy |
| Warranty | 2 years manufacturer warranty, Multi-risk warranty offered for $3.99/month |
| Customer Support | Help center, Website form Email, Online chat (premium plan) |
| Tracker Price | $29.99 |
| Subscription | Starts from $4.72 to $9.99/month depending on payment period |
Pros
- It can provide location updates every 30 seconds to an hour.
- Get updates every 10 seconds for 5 minutes with the SuperLive feature.
- The tracker can ring or vibrate with remote commands through the app.
- It can track your pet’s activity.
Cons
- It could have a short battery life.
- Live chat support is offered only with a premium subscription.
How We Picked and Tested the Product?
My search for the best GPS tracker for cats stemmed from my friend’s concern for her cat, Luna. On most days, Luna stays inside the house and around the neighborhood. But the cat has had its phases wherein we have looked for it quite far from home.
I started with online research, looking at tracker descriptions, features, and customer reviews. The five trackers mentioned above were part of the shortlisted products, which I tested along with some help from friends.
Key-Decision Making Factors
Pet trackers are typically designed for bigger animals like dogs. So, I picked trackers that would comfortably fit around a cat’s neck. The trackers on the list weigh around an ounce. And most can fit your cat’s existing collar.
Then, I looked at the type of connectivity technologies offered so the tracker can be used indoors and outdoors.
Accuracy and coverage were also important considerations. The GPS tracker works best for long-range tracking, whereas the Bluetooth and RF-based trackers are ideal for short-range.
I have also provided no-monthly fee options for budget-conscious shoppers.
FAQ’s
No, cat trackers like those from Tabcat, Cat Tailer, and Girafus do not require a subscription. Typically, GPS trackers fitted with a SIM card like Weenect require a subscription.
If you are looking for short-range tracking, that is, over a few meters, Bluetooth and RF-based trackers like Cat Tailer and Girafus work best with a battery life lasting months. In the case of GPS trackers, Tractive has a good battery life.
Cat trackers can provide you with peace of mind as you can find out where your pet is. Some trackers offer geofences and live location updates, so you never lose sight of your cat. Some provide features like activity and sleep tracking as well. So overall, cat trackers are a good investment for your cat’s safety.
Summary
Cat trackers can provide you with peace of mind. They can show your cat’s location on a map or direct you to it if the tracker is in your range.
When looking for the best GPS tracker for cats, consider factors like size, design, accuracy, features, cost, and performance.
If your cat likes to wander outside, the trackers from Tractive and Weenect are good options. If your cat stays indoors and occasionally ventures out, consider the Cat Tailer. And if you want to track multiple cats in a budget-friendly way, consider the trackers from Girafus or Tabcat.
I hope the brief cat tracker reviews help you find the best device for your pet.
Carson Harris is a highly qualified author and expert in GPS tracking technology. With a background in electrical engineering and machine learning, he has established himself as a trusted source of information. Carson’s work experience at Garmin and Panasonic has further enhanced his expertise. He possesses creative skills in website design and AI applications. Known for his clear and concise communication, Carson’s articles on Trax Family’s website provide valuable insights on GPS trackers.