A cat smart collar is a wearable technology device designed to monitor, track, and improve the well-being and safety of your feline friend. These collars come equipped with various features such as GPS tracking, activity monitoring, health monitoring, virtual boundaries, LED lighting, and audio communication, among others. They typically integrate with smartphone apps to help pet owners manage and monitor their cat’s activity and health.
After testing 14 different cat smart collars, I found that many of them did not live up to their promises. To provide an accurate and reliable rating, I based my assessment on several major factors, including the effectiveness of GPS tracking, the accuracy of health and activity monitoring, ease of use, comfort for the cat, battery life, and overall durability. By considering these essential factors, I have compiled a list of the best smart collars available, ensuring that pet owners can make an informed decision to keep their cats safe and healthy.
I already have guides for the best cat GPS trackers and best cat fitness trackers, but I consider a smart collar as a combination of both.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. This commission helps support my work and allows me to continue testing and reviewing cat gadgets for this website. However, please be assured that my opinions and ratings are unbiased and not influenced by these affiliate partnerships. My priority is to provide accurate and helpful information to cat owners, and any recommendations are based solely on my experience and research.
What Cat Smart Collars Did I Test?
Over the past 3 years, I have had the opportunity to try and test a variety of cat smart collar models, each with its unique set of features and capabilities. In this article, I’ll be discussing my experiences with these models and sharing my insights on their performance.
- Tractive cat collar (read full review)
- Maven Pet (read full review)
- Pawtrack (read full review)
- Fi Collar (not suitable for cats)
- Tabcat (read full review)
- Trackimo Smart Tag
- petTracer (testing now)
- Whistle system (not suitable for cats)
- Findster Duo+ (discontinued and it was low-quality product after all)
- Pawscout 2
- Pawfit
- Weenect
- UBEE (does not work well in the US)
- Apple Airtag (read here why you should not use it!)
3 Suitable Options as a Smart Collar For Cats
Tractive Collar
Latest Tractive cat GPS Tractive model
The Tractive cat collar has earned the top spot on my list, and it’s easy to see why. Over the past three years of using this smart collar on my cat, it has consistently provided a reliable and comprehensive set of features that cater to my pet’s needs. The Tractive collar offers GPS tracking, activity monitoring, virtual boundaries, and more, making it an all-in-one solution for keeping your cat safe and healthy.
One of the reasons I chose the Tractive cat collar as my personal #1 is its user-friendly design and seamless integration with the companion app. It allows me to monitor my cat’s location and activity with ease and set up virtual boundaries to prevent wandering. Additionally, the collar is comfortable for my cat to wear, ensuring they are not bothered by the device.
Photo Tractive.com
Another notable advantage of the Tractive collar is its affordability. Priced at only $69, it offers excellent value for money considering the range of features it provides. Furthermore, the subscription plan for the GPS tracking service is reasonably priced, making it an attractive option for cat owners seeking a reliable and budget-friendly smart collar. Check the current price on the official website only.
Maven.Pet Smart Collar
Maven Pet takes #2 spot on my list of smart collars for cats, even without GPS tracking, as it excels in health tracking and offers additional innovative features. Maven Collar, an AI-powered device, collects and analyzes data on your cat’s activity, sleep, and behavior, providing valuable insights into their health and well-being. With a team of veterinary experts analyzing the data, you receive personalized recommendations to improve your cat’s quality of life and address potential health concerns.
The collar is designed with both style and functionality in mind, making it easy to attach and comfortable for your cat. What sets Maven Collar apart is its proactive approach to monitoring your cat’s health, even when you’re away from home. The collar communicates with your Maven Vet, who can notify you of any issues and provide guidance on next steps. The user-friendly companion app, available for iOS devices, enables you to monitor your cat’s well-being and consult with your vet directly.
Maven Collar’s pricing is reasonable given the value it provides. The device itself is free, but a subscription is required for the service (check the pricing here). Considering the comprehensive health tracking, 24/7 telehealth availability, and the ability to closely monitor your cat’s well-being, the investment in a Maven Collar is worthwhile for cat owners looking to provide the best possible care for their feline companions.
3. Pawfit Smart Collar
Pawfit is my final selection in the list of the best smart collars for cats due to its combination of reliable features and user-friendly design, although I find its overall quality a bit lower than Tractive and not as innovative as Maven Pet.
This smart collar focuses on the essentials, offering GPS tracking, activity monitoring, and virtual boundaries to keep your cat safe and healthy. While it may not match the advanced features and innovation seen in Tractive and Maven Pet collars, Pawfit provides a solid foundation for cat owners seeking a reliable, affordable, and straightforward smart collar solution.
In summary, Pawfit is a dependable smart collar option that covers the essential features necessary for monitoring your cat’s safety and well-being. Its combination of GPS tracking, activity monitoring, and virtual boundaries make it a suitable choice for cat owners looking for a more basic, yet effective smart collar solution, despite being slightly lower in quality and innovation compared to Tractive and Maven Pet.
Smart Collars For Cats I Would Not Recommend
In addition to the top smart collars I’ve recommended, there are a few that I would advise against based on my experience and feedback from other cat owners:
- Findster Duo+: This product failed too many times for me, and it did not properly fit on my cat, even though it was advertised as a smart collar for cats. It eventually broke, and I found that other cat owners had similar issues. Some experienced problems with the device’s durability, while others reported connectivity issues. No surprise they discontinued the product.
- Fi Smart Collar: While this collar might be great for dogs, it’s not suitable for cats. When it was advertised as a smart collar for pets (including cats), it provided inaccurate information for cat owners. Now, their website mentions that it’s designed for dogs only. However, many cat owners still ask about Fi in online communities, so I decided to clarify this point here.
- Smart tags like Trackimo or Apple AirTag: I wouldn’t trust a small tag to accurately identify a cat’s location, and these devices lack the additional features that smart collars offer. Although Apple AirTags have become popular among cat parents, Apple itself does not recommend using them for cat tracking. It’s important to remember that these tags were not designed specifically for pet monitoring, so they may not provide the same level of reliability and functionality as a dedicated smart collar.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while some smart collars and tags might work well for certain pets or purposes, they may not be suitable for cat owners. It’s essential to choose a device that is specifically designed for cats and offers reliable, accurate, and helpful features to ensure the safety and well-being of your feline friend.
