Top Pet Trackers for Sending Your Dog with a Pet Sitter

As someone who boards dogs as a side gig, I am used to seeing many pet trackers and smart collars these days. These devices have become a must-have tool for pet owners (especially when trusting their beloved pets to a stranger). They provide real-time location tracking, updates, alerts, and most importantly, peace of mind.

But with many options available, which one is the best fit for your needs? Let’s dive into the features that matter and explore some top trackers that dog owners love.

Why Use a Pet Tracker with a Pet Sitter?

Leaving your pet with a sitter involves trust. If you are lucky, you have already found your trusted go-to sitter. But sometimes they can get fully booked or you have a last-minute request, so you might have to leave your furry friend with a new sitter. In these cases, having a pet tracker adds an extra layer of security. And from the pet sitter’s perspective, pet trackers help us build trust with the owner.

Most Upvoted Pet Tracker Options

1. Apple AirTags

While AirTags are not specifically designed for pets, I have to say they are the most popular tracking device among pet owners. That might be because of their affordability and integration with the Apple ecosystem.

Key Features:

• It uses the Apple Find My network to locate your pet.
• It has a compact design and can be easily attached to collars.
• It is available for as little as $29 and does not require any subscription fees.

Why It’s Ideal: The AirTag works best for dogs in areas with a dense Apple user network, as it relies on nearby devices to relay the tracker’s location. It’s budget-friendly, making it a good starter option.

Downside: If you are an Apple user, you will get notifications all day alerting you that a device is following you, and after a while, the device will give audible alerts. The beeping can be annoying for you or the pet (especially if it sounds in the middle of the night). Consider asking the owner of the Airtag to temporarily share it with you in Find My.

Another point to consider is that it only has a range of only 33 to 100 feet.

2. Whistle Go Explore

This brand is superior in combining location tracking with health and activity monitoring.

Key Features:

• It provides real-life location data and creates safe zones.
• It provides many activity and health metrics such as scratching and licking behavior.
• The battery lasts up to 15 days.

Why It’s Ideal: The app allows you to add multiple people for one dog, which means you can share their profile with your sitter. Having access to health and activity insights can help them provide better care.

Downside: It requires a paid subscription.

→ Here is a review we wrote for Whistle Switch Smart Collar, another of their flagship products.

3. Tractive GPS Dog Tracker

The Tractive GPS tracker stands out for having the fastest location updates and an affordable subscription plan. This product is by far the most reviewed and best-rated on Amazon.

Key Features:

• It updates every 2-3 seconds (up to 30x faster than competitors).
• It lets you create safe zones and alerts you if the dog leaves the area.
• It monitors your dog’s daily activity levels and sleep patterns.

Why It’s Ideal: It’s a great option because the sitter will receive immediate notification if the dog scapes.

Downside: The battery lasts on average between 2 to 5 days

4. Fi Smart Dog Collar

The Fi Series 3 is a market leader for its GPS tracking capabilities and battery life.

Key Features:

• It updates every 10–15 seconds in Lost Dog Mode.
• It alerts you when your dog leaves a safe zone.
• The battery lasts up to 3 months in normal mode.

Why It’s Ideal: It’s great for sitters because the alerts are instant, and the device’s rugged design withstands active dogs.

Downside: It requires a paid subscription.

What to Consider When Choosing a Pet Tracker

• Choose a waterproof and durable design, that nicely fits your pet’s size.
• A long battery life is preferred for interrupted tracking (you don’t want to be reminding the sitter to charge the tracker every other day).
• Check if the tracker has good coverage in the area (ideally nationwide range).
• Bonus points if the app is easy to use and allows you to add multiple users to your dog’s profile so you can share it with the sitter.

→ You might also be curious to read our FitBark 2 Review: The Lightest Pet Fitness Tracker