The need of pet owners to monitor the whereabouts of their dogs, cats and other animals has triggered the increase in the demand for tracking collars.
There are many models of pet tracking devices, but they use either of the two tracking technologies which are the GPS or Global Positioning System and the RF or Radio Frequency.
Let's take a look into each of these tracking innovations in order to better understand how they perform.
The GPS Dog Tracking Collar The tracking collar that runs through a global positioning system uses local satellite to identify and isolate the precise location of your dog or cat.
The satellite transmits the information to a designated receiver which is usually a cell phone or a handheld device.
Pros and Cons One specific advantage of using a GPS-driven tracking device includes the possibility to view the specific location of your pet in real-time.
One particular issue about using GPS as a means to track pets is its being difficult for smaller animals to carry.
GPS-driven tracking devices are a bit too heavy for small cats and dogs, although this will not be a big problem for bigger dog breeds.
Another factor that makes GPS a concern is the cost involved when a pet owner chooses to receive messages via cell phone.
Owners have to pay a monthly fee to be able to receive messages via text messages.
Lastly, GPS-driven tracking collars are not very effective when your dog roams under heavily wooded areas.
The RF Dog Tracking Collar This type of technology doesn't rely on satellites.
The RF technology is however not as precise as a GPS does.
The device tells about your pet's location through the signal strength transmitted by the tracking collar to the locating device.
Pros and Cons One advantage it does have over the GPS tracking device is its ability to work even in wooded areas.
RF technology doesn't rely on satellites or cell tower availability.
This is the reason why RF devices continue to work even in areas where satellites are not quite effective.
Another good thing about the RF technology is the absence of monthly fees which makes it a cost-effective way to track dogs and cats.
The downside of RF collars is its lack of capability to provide the exact or real-time location of your pet.
When planning to buy a tracking collar for your pet, you should consider your pet's size and habits.
These can help to ensure that your pet's comfort is considered while you are monitoring its location.