Finding the best cat trackers may be the one thing that will calm your nerves about letting your cat out. After all, when our cats start to adventure into our gardens, towns and beyond, it can make us a little nervous as cat owners. Cats will roam easily because it's in their natural instinct, so it can be daunting to let them out into the big wide world. There are plenty of things to think about to keep your cats safe.
These nifty tech products are easily added to your cat's collar, so you can keep an eye on them and where they run off when you open the door outside. Whether you're afraid of just letting them go or scared they'll get lost, these pet accessories are a modern solution to keeping your pet safe. Speaking of safety, have you got a cat flea treatment sorted?
Best cat trackers at a glance
Most cat trackers will come with a GPS installed inside them, which is how they track the location of your cat. Using radio signals, you'll be able to pick up the area that your cat is in. If you've got a funky tech option, you can see the history of your cat's journeys too. You can even attach a pet camera to one of our picks.
Want to know where to grab these cat trackers? We've got a full guide to the best options on the market below. Scroll down to our FAQs to get the scoop on how these nifty devices work. With a bit of luck, you'll be able to keep tabs on them. They'll be back for dinner, though. Have you seen our cat food brand buyer's guide? Now, our top picks...
Best cat trackers for you and your pet right now
Best overall cat tracker
tractive.com
You've probably heard of Tractive if you're looking for new cat trackers to invest in as it's one of the number one-rated cat trackers on Trustpilot. The Tractive GPS Cat Tracker has unlimited range and location history so you'll be able to keep a close eye on your kitty.
As well as having GPS tracking, it's also equipped with activity monitoring so you can make sure your cat gets enough rest and exercise and if the tracker notices any difference to your cat's usual activity levels, such as being less active than usual, you'll also get email health alerts to let you know.
Reviewers on Trustpilot love that the app shows them lots of interesting stats about their pets and that it has a very interactive user face. One area where the Tractive Tracker could improve is the battery life as some customers felt it lost battery quicker than what is advertised.
Pros
- Offers activity tracking for your pet so you can keep an eye on how much rest and exercise they're getting
- Health alerts if the app picks up any difference in your cat's usual activity levels
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the battery life could be better as they found it lost battery quickly than what is advertised
Dimensions | 2.8 x 1.5 x 5.3 cm |
Battery | 3-10 Days |
Compatible | Smartphone |
Features | Unlimited Range, Escape Alerts, Health Tracking |
Best cat tracker for larger cats
Say hello to the KIPPY - EVO Cat Tracker, which will do the job of keeping your kitty safe and sound. With unlimited distance tracking, they'll never be out of range, so you'll always know where your moggy is in real time.
Through the app, you can set activity goals for your cat so you can see exactly how many steps they’ve walked, how many calories they’ve burnt, how long they’ve been on the move for throughout the day, how much time they’ve spent asleep and more.
How accurate the GPS is and how easy it is to use are things that are mentioned throughout the customer reviews. Some reviewers felt it was quite bulky and it’s not suitable for cats under 4kg so this tracker may be better suited to larger cats.
Pros
- Full activity tracking in the app so you can keep an eye on your cat's stats
- Unlimited distance tracking so your cat will never be out of range
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it was quite bulky so might be better for larger cats
Dimensions | 2.2 x 5.5 x 3.7 cm; 38g |
Battery | 7 Days |
Compatible | Smartphone |
Features | Health Tracker, Virtual Fences, LED, Waterproof |
Best budget cat tracker
www.ubeequee.com
Another great choice is the UBEE CAT GPS Tracker. Fitting comfortably against your cat's neck, it's lightweight and has unlimited range so you can track your cat wherever they go.
Not many kitties like the water, but if your cat gets stuck outside in a rain storm, you’ll be pleased to know this tracker is splash and puddle-proof as it has a level of water resistance. You can also set up virtual fences on the app so if your kitty ever wanders too far away from the safe zone, you’ll be alerted.
Some customers felt the location updating on the app could be a little quicker and the app itself is quite clunky. Compared to other cat trackers, the monthly subscription is cheaper, starting at £2.99 per month (based on a two-year subscription) so if you’re after a budget option, this tracker is a good choice.
Pros
- Lightweight so it's comfortable for your cat to wear
- Splash/puddle-proof so you don't have to worry about it stopping working in the rain
Cons
- Some customers felt the app could be quicker and update location faster
Dimensions | 5.5 x 3.3 x 1.5 cm; 23 g |
Battery | 3 Days, Rechargeable |
Compatible | Smartphone |
Features | Virtual fences, Location History, Waterproof |
4.
Apple AirTag
Best cat tracker for iPhone users
If you don't want to splash out on a subscription month-in-month-out, it might be worth trying out an Apple AirTag which makes it much easier to keep an eye on your cat.
You just pop it in any attachment, add it to your cat's collar and pair it with any FindMy app to stay on top of where your cat's live location is. If you've lost your kitty, you can put the AirTag into lost mode which can help you find your moggy if they've strayed further afield as you will be notified when they've gone near to another device in the Find My network.
Customers appreciated how easy it is to set up and pair with their iPhones and that it can be used for more than tracking pets as you can track luggage, handbags, keys and more. It's worth noting that this is designed to be used with Apple devices so if you don't have an iPhone, this may not be the tracker for you.
Pros
- No extra subscription costs
- Alerts if your cat has strayed further afield
Cons
- Only compatible with Apple products
Dimensions | 3.2 x 0.8 cm; 11g |
Battery | CR2032 coin cell battery |
Compatible | Apple Products |
Features | Simple Set-Up, Precision, Live Location |
Best cat tracker for features
Being 100 per cent waterproof, you can be sure that even the rainiest of adventures will keep this Pawfit 3 GPS Pet Tracker intact. We love that it offers recommended exercise goals for your kitty based on their size and weight.
It has a built-in speaker that allows you to communicate with your kitty and it’s also fitted with an LED light, so if your kitty goes out on the prowl in the evenings or other low-light conditions, it will help you spot them.
Reviewers love this option for its sleek design and that it’s made out of sturdy materials, they also like how user-friendly the app is and the quality of the location tracking. Opinions are mixed about the battery life with some saying it needs recharging frequently but others say it lasts for a good few days without needing recharging. Due to the fit of this one, we think it would be purr-fect for medium-sized cats.
Pros
- 100 per cent waterproof
- Built-in speaker to talk to your cat and LED light to spot them in low light conditions
Cons
- Opinions are mixed on battery life
Dimensions | 4.8 x 3.3 x 1.4 cm; 27 g |
Battery | 6 Days, Rechargeable |
Compatible | Smartphone (App) |
Features | Activity Monitoring, Text to Speech, Pawfit App, Hour Set-Up |
Best cat tracker without subscription
Unlike the other cat trackers on our list, the Tabcat v2 Cat Tracker doesn't require a subscription to keep tabs on your tabby, so you've got peace of mind knowing that once you've bought it, there are no extra fees to pay monthly or yearly to be able to continue using it.
It operates on radio frequency so it has a range of up to 500ft and it offers audio and visual aids to signal where your kitty is so you can keep tabs on how close or far away they are. This is particularly helpful if your kitty is lost somewhere in your house, say if they've got accidentally trapped in a room or cupboard after wandering in behind you because you can pinpoint exactly where they are indoors, which is something that GPS trackers aren't entirely capable of.
Customers have rated this tracker for its efficiency and how loud the sound is for locating your kitty. As this one isn't a GPS tracker, you won't be able to track your kitty over long distances outside but if you tend to lose track of your kitty around the home, this is a fab option.
Pros
- No added subscription fees each month/week compared to others
- Audio and visual aids to signal where your kitty is
Cons
- As this one isn't a GPS tracker, you won't be able to track your kitty over long distances outside
Dimensions | 21.01 x 16.31 x 2.39cm; 222g |
Battery | 6 months |
Compatible | N/A |
Features | audio and visual cues, 6-month battery life, splashproof |
Best for battery life
www.weenect.com
Top-rated as a hot choice for a cat tracker, this Weenect Cat XS Tracker has an impressive 10-day battery life, and offers up to three days of continuous tracking, giving you peace of mind if your kitty ever goes missing.
If you pop this tracker on your kitty’s collar every time they go out to explore the great outdoors, you can use the tracker to alert you if your kitty strays too far away from your home by setting up safe zones. As it’s a mini size, it shouldn’t feel too bulky around your kitty’s neck.
Customers have rated this highly for how easy it is to use and set up and how simple the app is to navigate. The reviews are mixed about the accuracy of the GPS as some say it’s not 100 per cent accurate but others say the tracking is great.
Pros
- Long-lasting battery life of up to 10 days
- Continuous tracking for three days for peace of mind if your cat gets lost
Cons
- Reviewers have mixed opinions on the accuracy of the GPS
Dimensions | 6.5 x 2.45 x 1.5cm; 27g |
Battery | 10 Days, Recharges |
Compatible | Smartphone |
Features | 10-Day Battery Life, Rechargeable, Real-Time GPS Tracking, Anti-Escape Alert |
How we chose the best cat trackers
All of these cat trackers have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered location accuracy, range and fit in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching cat trackers to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval.
FAQs
How do cat trackers work?
Pet trackers are small devices you can tag onto your cat's collar that will send a tracking signal to whatever remote you have attached to the tracker. This can be a handheld remote, app or program that will allow you to keep up with the whereabouts of the tracker sending the signal. Done through radio frequency, you can keep track of your kitty from the comfort of your home.
Do I have to buy a subscription with a cat tracker?
If you're looking for a live GPS tracker then chances are you'll have to buy into a subscription service to continue to use the tracker and keep up with the SIM that's included inside it. These start from around £3 a month so it's not too much money to fork out for the safety of your kitty.
Not too fond of buying into a SIM package? You can also invest in a product like a GPS tag like the AirTags that you can attach to an app on your phone which means you won't have to fork out for a subscription service.
Caitlin Casey is a Senior Product Writer for Take a Break Pets. When not out and about, you can catch her reading books at home with her two cats.