Cats make nice pets. They’re unbiased but affectionate. They’re simple to look after with grooming and litter coaching. Cats are playful, curious, and scale back stress. They match effectively in residences and are loyal companions, providing pleasure and luxury. Cat house owners need the perfect for his or her furry mates and comfort for themselves.
Cat GPS trackers have gained reputation as extra pet house owners search methods to observe their furry companions. However, there are good causes to keep away from buying one. We will discover why you would possibly wish to assume twice about shopping for a cat GPS tracker and discover higher alternate options.
1. Cats Excel at Finding Their Way Home
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Cats possess a pure capacity to search out their manner home, even after venturing removed from acquainted environment. Their eager sense of odor and course permits them to navigate successfully. Cats may also use landmarks and the solar for orientation. Indeed, quite a few cases exist of cats protecting tons of of miles to return home. For instance, in 2022, Ashley, a misplaced Siamese cat, journeyed over 300 miles by means of the woods earlier than lastly reuniting together with her proprietor.
While cats are adept at homing, there are situations during which they may turn into misplaced, similar to relocating to a brand new home, encountering scary conditions, or sustaining accidents. If you are concerned about your cat’s security, microchipping is a everlasting identification technique that may facilitate reuniting along with your feline buddy in the event that they go lacking.
2. GPS Trackers Can Be Uncomfortable and Bulky for Cats
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GPS trackers are usually affixed to a cat’s collar. However, cats are vulnerable to something uncomfortable or cumbersome round their necks, main them to scratch on the tracker or try and take away it. Sometimes, the tracker would possibly turn into entangled and pose a choking hazard.
GPS trackers can add weight to a cat’s collar, hindering mobility and doubtlessly inflicting neck discomfort. When contemplating a GPS tracker in your cat, select a light-weight, comfy mannequin and guarantee it’s appropriately fitted to the collar.
3. GPS Trackers Can Lack Precision
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GPS trackers could show inaccurate, significantly in areas with poor mobile protection or dense vegetation. These trackers depend on satellite communication to find out their location, and if that connection falters, their capacity to offer correct information diminishes. Moreover, components like tall buildings and atmospheric situations can additional have an effect on accuracy, leading to imprecise cat places.
When counting on a GPS tracker to observe your cat, be aware of its limitations and have a backup plan in case it proves unreliable or non-functional.
4. GPS Trackers Can Be Costly
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GPS trackers will be costly, significantly in the event that they require a subscription price. Additionally, substitute prices have to be thought-about if the tracker is misplaced or broken. Monthly subscription charges can accumulate, particularly for a number of cats. You have already got a number of prices related to caring in your lovable feline. A GPS tracker doesn’t must be considered one of them.
Moreover, energetic outside cats could enhance the chance of dropping or damaging the tracker, necessitating the acquisition of a brand new one. If you’re on a funds, discover different choices similar to microchipping or setting up a catio.
Better Alternatives to Cat GPS Trackers
Microchip
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A microchip is a everlasting identification technique implanted below your cat’s pores and skin, which veterinarians and animal shelters can scan. It’s a dependable manner to make sure your cat’s identification is at all times accessible. You can have your cat microchipped at your native veterinarian’s workplace.
AirTag
The Apple AirTag is a small, light-weight monitoring gadget that may be connected to your cat’s collar. It makes use of Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband know-how to trace your cat’s location. However, it requires different Apple units to be close by for monitoring.
Tile
Like AirTag, Tile is a small monitoring gadget that attaches to your cat’s collar and makes use of Bluetooth for monitoring. Like AirTag, it additionally requires different Tile units to be close by for monitoring. However, they’ve just lately improved the vary and reliability.
Catio
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A catio is a safe outside enclosure that enables your cat to benefit from the open air with out getting misplaced or injured. Catios are available numerous sizes and kinds, making them a protected and interesting choice for outdoor-loving cats. They range in cost relying on the dimensions and complexity of the catio.
Indoor Training
Consider indoor coaching if you happen to’re involved about your cat’s security open air. Provide your cat with loads of toys and actions to maintain them engaged and content material indoors. An indoor cat oasis retains your indoor cat glad. Creating a protected and stimulating indoor atmosphere can scale back the temptation to roam.
Ultimately, the choice to buy a cat GPS tracker is yours to make. However, it’s essential to weigh the professionals and cons rigorously. If your cat’s security is a main concern, discover different choices that fit your wants higher. If you go for a GPS tracker, guarantee it’s light-weight, comfy, and correctly fitted, and at all times be ready for potential limitations.
