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Cat Tracker

33 replies

fledglingFTB · 27/01/2017 10:47

Hiya,

I'm looking into these and wondered if anyone uses a good one? What I'd like is:

  • lightweight/unobtrusive
  • waterproof
  • links to an app so I can see the both the current location and track daily movement in real time

I can't seem to find anything that does all three

OP posts:
bingolittle · 30/01/2017 11:27

We tried Tabcat and were VERY unimpressed - returned it for a refund in the end because it failed to detect our cat even when he was in the same room and we were pointing the detector right at him!

Had a look on Amazon and were put off many brands by the fact that they had obviously paid for a number of lengthy and slavishly positive reviews - this makes me distrust the brands.

Most trackers are really designed for dogs and would be unsuitable for smaller cats - having said which, our (medium to large-sized) cats seem to wear 30g trackers on their collars without even noticing.

We looked at weight, size, upfront cost, ongoing cost, and battery life. Also looked at whether they came as a collar or as something to put onto a collar. (Our cats tend to pull off quick-release collars very easily, so we wanted something to put onto an elasticated collar.)

We've been using Pod trackers on both our cats for the last few months and have been pleased with them.

The setup seems relatively easy (and I'm not a very techy person). The battery seems to last just over 2 days (approx), but each tracker comes with 2 batteries and a charger, so it's fairly easy to just have the spare battery on to charge and swap them over when you need to. It's also pretty waterproof.

It CAN track your cat constantly in real time, but this would eat the battery life to a ridiculous degree (battery would last a few hours). So we have it set so as to locate the cat on demand. It will do this accurately to within about 5 metres in our experience. It works using your home Wifi, local mobile phone masts, and/or GPS satellites, so it should work pretty much anywhere.

They have a new model of Pod out now which might be worth looking into - I'm a bit concerned about how long our older Pod version will be usable, given changes in mobile phone network coverage.

Hope this may be helpful!

fledglingFTB · 30/01/2017 12:22

Thanks Bingo, I've seen Pod, but it seemed ginormous. I'll take another look. Quite taken by G-Paws if I can get it to work. I'm not sure I actually need real time, I do like the idea of a record of the cats travels. So I'd know where to find him.

OP posts:
RubbishMantra · 30/01/2017 13:52

Always use a quick release breakaway collar, avoid anything else, esp. the elasticated ones.

fledglingFTB · 30/01/2017 14:19

I started to wonder if a wi-fi enabled device was actually good for cats. Esp with what you hear about smartphones.

I've gone for G-Paws version 3 and a quick release felt collar from Pets at Home. It's not real time location, but for £30 at least I don't have to be super precious and as it's UK based I can test/return it quickly if needed.

My guess is that he'll chuck it off within 5 mins anyway Grin

Thanks for all you help.

OP posts:
LivingInMidnight · 30/01/2017 16:58

I'd rather lose the tracker on a quick release collar than risk an elasticated one. I was a bit Shock at the elasticated collar bit. I had a cat that nearly died because of one, it's not worth the risk.

fledglingFTB · 30/01/2017 17:18

I'm confused Living which elasticated collar are you referring too? I've gone for a quick release

OP posts:
LivingInMidnight · 30/01/2017 17:40

Sorry fledgling in bingo's post!

RubbishMantra · 30/01/2017 18:00

Tabcat used to be Loc8tors, which have always worked well for me. They have changed the design, I suppose that must be the problem?

Living, totally agree about elastic collars. Cause horrible injuries. If you're worried about cat losing the pod (being on the pricier end of the market), bing, you'd be able to find it if your cat were to shed a snap release collar anyway?

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