WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

Trackers Aid Pet Safety and Health

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Many pet parents find that a tracker — whether a specially designed collar or a tag that attaches to an existing collar — can provide peace of mind when it comes to the safety and well-being of a dog or cat. Photo by Deni’s Fotografia, courtesy of Pexels.

by Anne Rener

Toad, a tabby cat, goes out every night to meet up with fellow felines and do whatever night
prowlers are apt to do. Each morning she returns, hungry and ready to lounge around the house all day. One morning, Toad did not come back, although she reappeared late that evening. For the next several months, she randomly took extended outings — until the time she disappeared for three days. Worried, her dad posted queries to local neighborhood websites. There were potential sightings, but no definitive proof. Then early on day five, carefree Toad sauntered into the house like a defiant teen who once again had broken curfew.
That’s when the family attached a pet tracker to Toad’s collar and started to monitor her movements. Although it doesn’t bring her home regularly, at least the family can keep tabs on the tabby and check her safety.
Pet Technology
Interest in pet technology has grown in recent years, as has the spending for pet products in general, according to a MarketWatch Guide published on September 11, 2023. Pet technology includes trackers, smart cameras, and automatic feeders that offer convenience and other features that many pet parents appreciate.
Pet trackers come in the form of wearables
— specially designed collars, attachable tags, or harnesses. The devices monitor location and/or activity using the Global Positioning System (GPS), Bluetooth, or radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology.
Trackers are available with varied capabilities to support pet parents’ needs:

GPS trackers such as the Whistle brand
show the location of pets. When your
pet is on the move, you can monitor the
location in real time.
Photo courtesy of Amie Trautman.

• Location monitoring: Pet trackers provide peace of mind if your furry friend goes missing. Whether you have an escape artist who slips through your fence or an adventurer who wanders too far while on your trail walk, a GPS-enabled tracker can provide real-time monitoring of your pet’s location.
• Activity monitoring: Say you’re working to improve your dog’s fitness. Wearables can track the levels of your pet’s physical activity — such as steps taken, distance traveled, and calories burned — to provide insight into the animal’s exercise pattern and overall health. Armed with this information, you can establish a healthy exercise routine for your pet based on its breed, weight, and age.

• Health tracking: Certain advanced pet trackers include sensors to monitor vital signs such as heart rate, temperature, and sleep patterns, which can aid in early detection of potential issues. A tracker can also monitor how frequently your pet scratches, licks, eats, or drinks. For parents of senior pets or those with chronic conditions, health trackers alert you to irregularities. These insights help you and your veterinarian manage your pet’s health more effectively.

• Geofencing: Smart collars can include a combination of features that support geofencing — establishing a virtual boundary that is particularly valuable forlarger properties. You can set the GPStracker to alert you when the pet wandersoutside the boundary. Some models alsolet you set boundaries for different conditions, such as a wide perimeter during the day yet close to the house at night. Additional features include temperature sensing and LED lights to aid visibility.

• Training: Certain trackers come withtraining features that enable you toreinforce positive behaviors and discourage unwanted ones. For example, when you are training puppies, you can use a remote control to send signals such as vibrations or sounds to instill a positiveand responsive relationship with the furryones.

• Identification tagging: Microchips — although not enabled by GPS — can store essential information about your pet that aids in retrieval if the pet is missing. These tiny devices have a unique identification number that is registered with a national database. They are implantedunder the pet’s skin between the shoulderblades. Veterinarians and animal-control officers who come across a lost animalroutinely scan for the chip to look up basic information about the pet and contact the owner.

A Scary Five Days
For Amie Trautman, the decision about a tracker was easy after the family’s Brittany,

Riley, dug under the back fence and was missing for five days.She said, “Riley was finally spotted running across Route 66 during some storms. A man stopped and was able to coax him into the car. Because the collar and name tag had fallen off, the driver took the dog to the vet, who contacted us. It was a happy return — but a hard and scary five days.”Because of that experience, Trautman said, the family discovered a Whistle brand tracker and have been faithful users for several years. They have used the trackers with three dogs and appreciate all the information they gain to know how the dogs are doing.Trautman said, “When one of our dogs started aging, we got alerts about excessive licking, so we knew to get her to the vet for care. And last weekend, when the grandpups were here, the activity-tracking feature enabled us to see that our other dog definitely got in his full exercise that day.”

What To Look for in a Tracker
If you’re considering buying a pet tracker, here are some factors to keep in mind:

Initial cost: Quality pet trackers range in price, depending on the type of device, brand, and features. You can get basic Bluetooth and RFID devices for less than $100. GPS trackers range from $50 to $200. Advanced health and activity monitors are typically $100 to $300, and features such as LED lights, cameras, and training capabilities will increase the cost.

• Subscription fees: Some GPS trackers require a subscription plan for ongoing services such as real-time tracking and access to historical data. Subscription fees range from a few dollars per month to higher-tier plans that support different features.

• Battery life: Depending on the type of tracker, battery life can be a concern. Some trackers need regular charging, and if the battery dies, the device becomes ineffective until recharged. Some models come with two batteries, so you can alternate between them to always have the juice you need.

• Size and weight: Ensure that the tracker is properly fitted and doesn’t interfere with your pet’s normal activities. When introducing your pet to a tracking device,proceed gradually and use positivereinforcement. How the pet adapts willdepend on temperament, comfort level,and past experiences.

Privacy concerns: In some cases, pettrackers can indirectly reveal the owner’slocation, especially if the pet and you areoften in the same place. In addition, ifthe tracker collects and stores data, there might be privacy considerations related to how that information is used.

Concentrate on the Benefits

Despite these potential drawbacks, many pet owners find that the benefits of pet tracking outweigh the concerns, especially when it comes to the safety and well-being
of their pets. Like the time Toad disap peared from the house…. An RFID tracker could have shortened that search and found her hiding place — on a deep shelf above the refrigerator.Finally, before purchasing a pet tracker, consider the specific needs regarding your pet — including size and lifestyle — along with the features you desire. Be sure to research different brands and models. Read the literature and user reviews. Consult withyour veterinarian, who will often providepersonalized advice for your pet. The vetmight also carry tracking devices or provide recommendations on where to find the bestsolution for your family.

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