All About GPS Collars

(and Why Your Pet Should Still be Microchipped)

In the age of the Internet, many of our old standbys are starting to take a backseat to smart technology. With humans now able to enjoy everything from smart watches, thermostats, doorbells, and lightbulbs, it only makes sense that the technology has seeped into the pet care industry. 

GPS collars, which enable pet owners to track a wandering dog’s (or cat’s) whereabouts, have been growing in popularity recently – are they the right choice for your pet?

How GPS Collars Work

A GPS collar does what the name implies – tracks your pet’s location in real time. Most GPS collars are easily operated via an app on your smartphone. There are a wide variety of styles and models available depending on what you’re looking for (water proof, long battery life, aesthetics, etc.). 

GPS collars can be extremely useful in the following scenarios:

• Your dog is prone to breaking out of the yard and going off on “adventures” (you can receive immediate updates on your phone as soon as your dog has left your property).
• You have a dog breed that is at risk of theft.
• You and your dog regularly go on outdoor adventures together and you want an extra safety measure in case you are separated.
• You hunt with your dog.

Some GPS collars double as dog activity trackers. Much like human activity trackers (such as the Fitbit), these devices provide data on how active a dog is and allow you to set and track fitness goals. Plus, if you rely on a dog walker for part of your pet’s exercise, a GPS activity tracker allows you to see if your dog is being exercised as promised.

Why GPS Collars Shouldn’t Replace A Microchip

So, you’ve done your research and purchased a GPS collar for your pet. That should be enough to ensure your pet is found and returned to you if they escape or become lost, right?

Not so fast. Pet microchipping is still by far the most reliable way to reunite with a missing pet, and here’s why:

• GPS collars can be removed or fall off, rendering them useless.
• Microchips are permanently implanted, meaning they will always be with your pet.
• Microchips are a “one and done” type of technology – meaning that once it’s been implanted and you’ve registered your contact information, you never have to think about it again unless you move or change your phone number (in which case the information should be updated with the microchip company’s database). There’s no software updates or monthly fees to consider with a microchip.

Do you have further questions about GPS collars or pet microchipping? Please don’t hesitate to contact your team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital!