Has your dog ever got lost outside your home?
Wouldn't you want to increase the chances of your dog being found in such a scenario?
It's very anxiety producing when you do not know where your dog is.
All you have to do is download an app on your smartphone, connect it to your GPS chip, and you'll be able to track your pet from wherever you are. The GoFindR GPS Pet Collar. The GoFindR pet collar is a great example of GPS chips for dogs. It is a reliable device that attaches to your dog's collar and is equipped with nationwide cellular and GPS coverage, meaning you can track your dog anywhere, anytime. Jan 11, 2021 In this way, it would not be comfortable nor safe to implant a GPS tracker into your dog. By comparison, an implantable ID chip or transponder is about 11 millimeters long and two millimeters thick – nearly the size of a grain of rice. At this size, they can be safely implanted between your dog's shoulders.
Many people search online for the term 'GPS chips for dogs.'
However, technically this technology doesn't exist since chips (aka microchips) work off radio frequency, and not GPS.
In this blog post, I will go through everything you need to know and what alternatives exist to help find your dog.
Has your dog ever got lost outside your home?
Wouldn't you want to increase the chances of your dog being found in such a scenario?
It's very anxiety producing when you do not know where your dog is.
All you have to do is download an app on your smartphone, connect it to your GPS chip, and you'll be able to track your pet from wherever you are. The GoFindR GPS Pet Collar. The GoFindR pet collar is a great example of GPS chips for dogs. It is a reliable device that attaches to your dog's collar and is equipped with nationwide cellular and GPS coverage, meaning you can track your dog anywhere, anytime. Jan 11, 2021 In this way, it would not be comfortable nor safe to implant a GPS tracker into your dog. By comparison, an implantable ID chip or transponder is about 11 millimeters long and two millimeters thick – nearly the size of a grain of rice. At this size, they can be safely implanted between your dog's shoulders.
Many people search online for the term 'GPS chips for dogs.'
However, technically this technology doesn't exist since chips (aka microchips) work off radio frequency, and not GPS.
In this blog post, I will go through everything you need to know and what alternatives exist to help find your dog.
A Quick Look at GPS Chips for Dogs
You can probably understand my disappointment when I found out that a GPS implant that tracks your dog is a myth!
A GPS tracking implant would be the perfect solution for dogs who love running away from home.
Although this technology doesn't exist as of today, we do have the following solutions:
- Implanted chips (aka microchips)
- GPS trackers
Let's take a quick look at what they have to offer.
How Do Implanted Dog Chips Work?
A microchip is placed under your dog's skin, normally around the shoulder blade, to help identify your dog if ever lost.
The chip is enclosed in an 11-14 mm plastic or glass cylinder and implanted in your dog. It weighs around 0.025 grams.
By using RFID or Radio-frequency Identification technology, the small electronic chip contains a unique identification number that is 9, 10 or 15 digits. It does not contain any other personal information.
Microchips work when your lost pet is found by a good samaritan and brought to the vet who has a scanner to read the ID. If all goes well, the vet will be able to access your contact details and call you.
In order for the chip to work, it must be registered with an online registry.
There isn't one universal registry, but you can register your chip with multiple registries including ones not from the manufacturer.
However, the vet or shelter will need to know to check these registries and not just the chip maker's registry.
There are a number of databases that are recommended such as:
- HomeAgain National Pet Recovery Database
- AKC Companion Animal Recovery
- Found Animals
- AVID
- PetKey
A microchip can help you find your lost dog only if:
- Someone has a scanner to read the information embedded in the chip
- If your contact information on the chip is up to date
Their use is extremely limited.
In some countries, the law requires you to get your pet microchipped.
How Do GPS Trackers Differ From Chips?
GPS trackers track the live location of your dog and are attached to your dog's collar.
The trackers use GPS technology–similar to what your cellphone uses and needs to stay connected to a GSM network. Some of these trackers also have cool features like activity tracking, sleep tracking, behavior tracking, etc.
You can also use geo-fencing to specify a Safe Zone–if your dog leaves this area, you'll be notified right away.
The great thing about these devices is that you know where your dog (or the device) is in real-time. This saves you a lot of time and panic in situations where Fido has become lost.
The main problem with GPS trackers is that they're large in size which means that they have to be attached to your dog's collar. If your dog runs away without the device on him, or it falls off, then you won't be able to track his location.
How Does My Dog Get Implanted With The Chip?
The vet uses a needle to place the tiny chip underneath the layer of your dog's skin—usually near the shoulder blade.
Normally, implantation does not even require an anesthetic, plus the chip has a sterile applicator.
The process isn't long or very painful–it only takes as much time as a regular shot would. While the process of implantation takes only a few seconds, you do have to spend a bit of time on completing the paperwork.
Any trained expert can implant the microchip. However, we recommend you go to a vet to avoid complications.
Once you get your dog microchipped, you also need to attach a tag to his collar so that people know that he's microchipped.
How Much Does It Cost To Microchip my Dog?
Microchipping your dog costs about $50.
You should only need to implant a chip once over the life of your dog since the chip does not break down.
If you have adopted your dog, there is a good chance that your dog is already microchipped.
Pros and Cons of Microchips for Dogs
Let's take a quick look at some of the pros of getting your dog microchipped:
- Permanent: The implanted chip is placed inside of your dog, which means that it can't fall off unless surgically removed.
- No batteries: As the chip uses RFID technology, it will never run out of battery unlike GPS trackers. It'll keep doing its job for years to come!
- Resistant: You don't have to worry about the damage done by rain, trauma, etc. since the chip is implanted under the skin.
- Peace of mind: These chips increase the chances that your dog will be found if lost. In fact, the return to owner rate is 2.5 times higher for dogs with microchips than without.
Now for the cons:
- Lack of universal scanner: Some systems are incapable of reading the microchip.
- Dog must be found: Your dog needs to be found in order for the chip to be read.
- Complications: I've read there is a slight possibility that the chips can cause inflammation, but check with your vet.
The Bottom Line: GPS Chips for Dogs
While GPS chips for dogs don't technically exist, implanted chips and GPS trackers provide a similar function.
You can even use both at the same time for the best outcome.
Keep in mind, a dog collar and tag work just as well, as long as they remain intact.
Have questions? Leave them in the comments, and we'll get back to you soon!
Whether you're looking for a way to keep tabs on your pup or have a safety net should they ever run off, you'll want to be sure that you're investing in one of the best dog GPS trackers. After all, a pet can feel like a part of your family, and you don't want a tracker to fail in a moment of need. Similar to a navigational GPS, a dog GPS tracker can accurately pinpoint your pet, and sync with an app on your phone so you can check their location in real-time.
When you're choosing a tracker, there a few things you should look for, namely accurate tracking, a secure fit, range, and battery life. The most accurate trackers tend to be the ones with a better cellular connection and that refresh often. Most models are worn as part of the collar and feature a built-in chip that relies on cell towers (and a subscription) to effectively work, other models can be used off the grid and without a subscription, though they don't offer the same range.
In order to find a collar-style tracker that will be secure on your pet, look for adjustable bands and make sure to check the collar size before purchasing. For attachable varieties, check that it will fit your current collar and have a tight, reliable hold when secured on. And since nobody wants to be recharging a tracker all the time, look for models with a battery that can last at least a couple days or longer between charges depending on your needs.
Beyond being able to see where your dog is, many have features like alerts whenever your dog steps past a specific area and activity monitoring. Some even provide help when it comes to training.
Dog Gps Tracker Chip For Car
To make choosing your furry pal's tracker easier, here are my top picks for the best GPS dog trackers on Amazon!
