We tested the best GPS trackers for pets 2024 for monitoring location and activity

Losing your cat or dog is one of the worst feelings in the world, but using the best GPS trackers for pets can help prevent this.

These handy devices let you monitor your pet's location and some of them have interesting features, such as health tracking, voice commands, and alarms when they stray too far. Most trackers are waterproof, so you won't need to worry about where your pet might end up.

You might expect these to cost the earth, but in reality, you don't have to spend loads. You can pick one up for as cheap as $20 with no subscription costs or commitments needed. Whether you want a basic design or a high-end model, there are lots of options to choose from to suit your budget and needs.

Below, we've rounded up the best pet GPS trackers on the market, based on our own personal experiences and shoppers' reviews. If you want to boost your pet's security even more, you might want to check out the best pet cameras, too.

The quick list

The best GPS trackers for pets we recommend in 2024

Best pet tracker with voice commands

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The Pawfit 3 offers real-time tracking, giving you reassurance that your dog is where they should be. If your pup loves to swim, then you'll be pleased to hear that the design is fully waterproof, so you won't need to worry about taking the tracker off when they go for a dip.

Since the device uses GPS, you'll be able to track them from anywhere in the world, no matter how far they wander! You can create your own safety zones and if they go too far, you'll receive an alert to warn you. As well as keeping an eye on their location, you can also monitor their activity and set up personalized fitness goals.

The Pawfit also features light and sound tracking, making it easier to locate your pup. If your dog strays off and can't hear your call, you can use the handy voice command feature to get them to come back to you.

The tracker has an impressive 30-day battery life and you can invite multiple family members to track your dog with you.

This product is currently with our tester; we'll be adding our testing notes soon.

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Best budget pet tracker

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You don't need to spend a fortune to check your fur friend is safe. The Cube Pro Tracker lets you monitor your pet's location from a 200ft radius, using Bluetooth that connects to your phone.

It might not have flashy features like the Pawfit 3, but this simple design has all the basics you need — and it'll only cost you $30 all in. It's super simple to set up; simply clip it onto your pet's collar, pair it to your phone via Bluetooth and you're good to go. Unlike other trackers that have a bulky feel, this keyring design is lightweight and small.

The Cube Pro is actually designed for personal items, like bags, purses and other valuables, but if you're looking for an affordable Bluetooth option, this could work well.

This product is currently with our tester; we'll be adding testing notes soon.

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Best dog tracker without a subscription

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It's very hard to find a pet tracker that doesn't require a subscription plan, so we were delighted when we came across this one. As well as having no monthly costs, the upfront price is also more reasonable than many of it's competitors, and has most of the same features.

We gave this to Sophie Cheeseman, art editor at our sister publication Horse and Hound, to try out on her whippets, Frank and Bluebell.

This device uses GPS tracking, letting you locate your dog from an unlimited distance. Although it takes a few minutes to load up their location, Sophie praised its accuracy and says it shows you exactly where your dog is. She lost Frank on walk during the testing, but was able to track him to a specific point in a road and call a family member to retrieve him, saving a lot of stress.

You can also monitor your pet's activity, including how far they wall and how much they play. Frank and Bluebell went for a 30 minute dip in meter-high water, and Sophie confirms that it's waterproof.

Pet trackers might seem a little daunting to set up, but Sophie reassures that the instructions were clear to follow and the device is easy to use. It even notifies you when the battery is getting low.

You won't need to worry about it falling off your dog's collar; the straps use parachute-grade Velcro which Sophie says are "strong" and "fit neatly on".

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Best GPS and wellness tracker for cats

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As cat owners ourselves, we're always curious about where our felines wander off to. So, when we discovered Tractive's latest tracker, we just had to give it a go (especially since it's less bulky than other options on the market).

We don't know about you, but we don't have the time (or energy) to spend hours setting up a new gadget. PetsRadar editor Georgia tested this and she found it easy to set up, with minimal referrence to the instructions.

The device has an unlimited range, so you'll be able to track your kitties no matter how far they roam. Our tester says it's really fun to see where her cat goes and when she is close enough to call in for dinner.

This tracker also lets you monitor your pet's wellness, and sends you alerts when it detects a health issue. You can also check how much rest and exercise your cat has been getting — super handy if you're concerned about their diet and weight.

The only drawback is that the collar had a tendency to come off as it had a different fastening to the Weenect Cat Tracker. It’s designed for cat safety, but our tester cat Clemmie took advantage of this. If your cat doesn't tend to lose their collar, then it might not be an issue for you. Or you could attach it to a collar of your own.

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Best activity tracker for dogs

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This pet tracker tells you everything you need to know about your dog. The GPS has an unlimited range, allowing you to find your pup no matter how far they go. If you want them to stay within a certain range, you can set up a virtual fence and if they cross it, you'll be alerted on your phone.

It also alerts you of any health issues your dog might have, based on their sleep and activity patterns changing. If you're a worried pet parent like us, this feature is really reassuring. You can also check if your dog is getting enough exercise and how much they sleep each day.

This tracker is waterproof and your pooch can swim for up to 30 minutes at a three-foot depth – perfect for pups who love to swim!

Jane Gazzard, senior sub-editor at Horse and Hound, tested it out on her dog Jed and says that she would recommend it.

She says: "It's accurate to locate where your dog has gone - in Jed's case, woods are where he will scarper quickly and it can be difficult to keep track of him visually. But when you switch to "Live', it pinpoints to about a few feet where they've gone. For me, this was a godsend because although he's no longer working, he's still extremely hard-wired and disappears very, very quickly.

"However, there can be a delay waiting for a GPS signal - and this is the key. You MUST have a good connection, so I'm not sure how well it would work in really dense woodland. "

Although the design looks a little clunky, Jane says that it isn't heavy and doesn't fall off. It's also very easy to secure onto your dog's collar and the battery life is reasonable with a quick charge time.

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Best pet tracker for cats who like to remove their collar

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Does your cat have a tendency to remove their collar? If the answer is yes, then you should choose this pet tracker. Our tester said it stayed on well in comparison to the Tractive Cat Mini as it fastened with a buckle and has a curved design, which prevents it from getting caught on any trees or branches.

The device lets you track your cat's location with an unlimited range, and you can view their route history and find out the territories where they spend the most time. You can also monitor their activity, which will help you keep an eye on their health and fitness. Our tester says the app is easy to use and provides very accurate data.

The tracker also has a recall training feature and you can train your kitty to come back to you when it rings and vibrates. There's also a built-in light, making it easier to find them when it gets dark outside.

PetsRadar editor Georgia has had lots of fun seeing what her mom’s cat, Clemmie, gets up to (they couldn't believe how far she ventured!). The battery life is around two to three days when it's left on 24/7 and doesn't use Wi-Fi zones, but it can last longer if you do.

This tracker is small and lightweight, weighing just under an ounce. In fact, our tester's cat didn't even notice it was on!

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Best pet tracker for large dogs

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If your dog is over 50lbs, then this is the pet tracker for you. Offering GPS tracking with an unlimited range, you'll be able to keep a close eye on your pup's whereabouts. You can set up a virtual fence and if your dog escapes, it will send you a notification right away.

Our tester, Emily said that in comparison to other trackers she tried, this one was very secure and stayed in place – even during active walks in the woods! Like the other Tractive devices in this guide, this tracker has loads of cool features, like sleep and activity monitoring. It even alerts you if it detects a health issue.

She says: "I found it really easy to set up; it's clear how you're meant to get it all started and how to program it to your dog."

It might look like quite a bulky design, but Emily reassures that her dog wasn't bothered by it. She praises the live tracking feature which is great for directing you to your dog.

If you have poor signal, then this tracker won't work so well. However, if you do, Emily says it's brilliant and is a gadget she'd definitely recommend – and this comes from someone whose dog likes to disappear regularly! She adds that it's good value for money and is handy for all dog owners to use.

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Best pet tracker for small dogs

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This pet tracker is best for small dogs, thanks to it's compact and lightweight design. You can monitor your dog's location in real-time and find out what they're getting up to. You can also track their activity and find out if they have any potential health concerns.

This device also has a recall training feature, and you can teach your dog to come back to you when the tracker vibrates or rings. You can control this via an app on your phone.

If you want to ensure your dog is close by, you can set up virtual safety zones and if your pooch crosses it, you'll be alerted immediately. It also has a built-in flashlight, which makes it much easier to find them in the dark.

This product is currently with our tester; we'll be adding testing notes soon.

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How we tested the best GPS trackers for pets

Your pet's safety is our number one priority. We understand how precious they are and how awful it feels to lose them (even if it's just for a split second!) That's why we've put the best GPS trackers for pets through rigorous testing to help you decide on the best one.

User-friendly: These trackers are quick to set-up and easy to use, ensuring you don't waste any of your time.

Fit for purpose: We asked our testers if the trackers were fit for purpose and actually worked. Plus, if their pets wanted to wear it.

Bonus features: We included details of any additional features the trackers have, like health monitoring and virtual fence alarms.

Hidden costs: You might not expect a pet tracker to have subscription costs, so we made it clear if they do. That way, there's no unwanted surprises for you.

How to choose the best GPS trackers for pets

The breed and species of your pet will be a big driver to choosing a particular tracker over another; larger breeds can easily accommodate larger trackers – and they're often the breeds you'll want to use them on anyway – whereas smaller dogs or cats might look a little silly with a large tracking module around their necks.

A good pet-safe collar is a must, so your pet will need to be used to wearing a collar at all times if you want constant tracking. There's not much that can be done about this. People sometimes think a pet tracker can be injected or embedded, in the same manner as a traditional microchip ID. That's just not the case; they need complex electronics and batteries.

Bear in mind that attaching these to a safe collar – one that will break should your pet's neck get snagged, means the possibility of losing the tracker. Luckily GPS trackers do, by their nature, have tracking built in, so they're relatively easy to find again if they get dropped.

One final point: the pet tracker market is, shall we say, a little volatile. More than one tracker has come along and rather abruptly disappeared, meaning it's well worth considering the likely longevity of not only the tracking hardware but the software backing connected models up. If the manufacturer pulls the plug, which is always a risk, that nifty collar accessory could turn into nothing more than a plastic pendant. Tractive is a strong choice for us because it's been around for a while, for example.

You’ll also need to keep up with the subscription fees on connected trackers; they’re typically not super-high, but tracking a household full of pets could make GPS trackers rather expensive to run.

GPS vs Bluetooth pet trackers

Broadly speaking, there are two main tracking technologies that the best pet trackers use; GPS and Bluetooth. But what is the difference between these two technologies, and which is the best choice for you?

GPS

GPS is the main type of pet tracker, and it stands for Global Positioning System. These trackers use a network of 30+ navigation satellites orbiting the Earth which constantly send out signals. GPS trackers pick up these signals and use them to determine a location by comparing the time it takes each signal to approximate the device’s location, typically within three to five meters.

The advantage of a GPS device is that it doesn’t require an internet connection, instead using a mobile network connection for tracking. That’s also the main downside too though — since they require a mobile network, they almost always come with a monthly cost to pay for the network usage, much like a cell phone. There are some GPS pet trackers that don’t require subscriptions, like the PitPat activity tracker, but they don’t feature live location tracking.

Bluetooth

The other main option you’ll find is Bluetooth trackers. These devices send out a secure Bluetooth signal that can be picked up by devices within range. This means they’re much more limited in range than GPS trackers, as they need to be within range of a compatible device to be picked up.

The upside is that they’re cheaper, don’t require subscription plans, and have much longer battery lives — some last several years. They’re also much more accurate, giving you your pets exact location instead of the roughly 10-meter radius that you’ll get from GPS.

Which is better?

Both types of devices have their pros and cons. If you’re pretty sure your pet isn’t going to gallop off into the wilderness then Bluetooth trackers are a great budget option, but GPS trackers are the more comprehensive option for ultimate peace of mind. You’ll need to weigh up the costs and risks to decide which option is best for you.