The Best Small Waterproof GPS Tracker For Dogs & Cats
A GPS tracker must be waterproof - otherwise it's unlikely to help you track down a snow- or water-loving dog or an outdoor cat. So let's take a look at the best waterproof GPS tracker to follow your furry friends on their muddy adventures wherever they go!
Are you the parent of an active, water-loving dog, snow-loving dog, or an outdoor cat with a big territory to defend? Like pet parents around the world, you want to encourage your pet’s sense of adventure – but also prevent them from getting lost. (Which is where a small waterproof GPS can come in handy, even if you’re not with them 24/7.)
For pets, a tracking device like the Tractive GPS is everything you need to keep them safe. So here’s a deep dive into its waterproof build…for the next time your pet wants to take, well, a deep dive. (We just had to.)
Most water- and snow-loving dogs tend to have high prey drive. (For example, Spaniels, Retrievers, Setters, Shepherds, and even Poodles.) So these dogs might be more likely to chase ducks and other woodland animals right into ponds, lakes, and even rivers nearby.
Likewise, different cat breeds have water-resistant fur and actually enjoy a swim every now and then. Some examples of cats that like water include Turkish Vans, Angoras, Siberians, Bengals, and even Maine Coons. Much like dogs, these cats tend to be highly active, outdoor-friendly – and likely to fall back to hunting behaviors out of instinct. (Which might include a dive into a lake if they’re particularly motivated.)
⚠️ Pets with a high prey drive are also more likely to get lost
Whether that’s from:
Chasing down a woodland animal a bit too far from safety,
Ending up lost in new, unfamiliar territory – where they might end up picked up by a shelter or rehomed to a new family
Running into dangerous objects like animal traps (or other animals!)
Colliding with a passing car, miles away from safety
Meaning, there’s no end to the dangers pets run into outdoors. And even if your buddy doesn’t seem to have a prey drive, they can still end up escaping from home as a result of nerves, boredom, anxiety, high energy, spooking from a loud noise…or just about any combination thereof.
A GPS tracker allows you to track something in real time using a GPS tracking component (for example on a pet’s collar), plus a software or app (where you can view your pet’s location.) With such an important service, it’s essential that the device also be waterproof. Else, the tracker would break as soon as it touches water. Plus, if you’ve got a water-loving dog like a Newfoundland or a snow-loving dog like a Labrador at home, you’d know how much of a struggle it is trying to keep them away from the nearest pond or snow pile!
⚠️ Most GPS tracking brands make sure their products are waterproof. (Because otherwise, their trackers would be useless, given how active most dogs and cats are.) But be sure to check the details of a tracker before purchasing, since not all of them might be waterproof.
The Tractive DOG XL Adventure edition, for example, comes with IP68 waterproof capabilities – plus extra tough fiberglass casing. For your most adventurous dog breeds who like their rough and tumble play.
Where waterproof pet trackers are essential for safety
Water-resistance is especially important if the tracker is intended for outdoor use. Meaning, a waterproof GPS tracker is essential safety gear if you’re:
Swimming at the river, lake or beach with your dog
Yes, both the Tractive smart dog tracker and smart cat collar are fully waterproof according to the IP68 standard. Tractive GPS devices do not have SIM-card openings or USB ports. Because of this, they’re perfectly safe to use on the rainiest, snowiest of days.
“You don’t need to worry about the Tractive tracker while you’re enjoying a walk in the rain or jumping in the water along with your pet.
According to IP68 standards, Tractive devices can be immersed in water up to 1 meter (or ~3 feet) depth for about 30 minutes.Which makes them the best choice for daily use – or if you’ve got a dog who loves their daily swim.”
– Ivelin Nenkov, Embedded Systems Engineer at Tractive since 2016
In fact, Tractive GPS trackers have been waterproof for as long as they’ve been around – since 2012. Our tracker was developed by some of the most pawssionate entrepreneurs and top engineers in Europe and is available worldwide. It’s been developed over years and years in the heart of Austria, close to the Alps, where they’re no strangers to wet, cold, and snowy weather. That’s why at Tractive, we knew we had to make a GPS tracking device for pet parents that would be adventure-proof, water-proof, and able to withstand any amount of wear and tear.
Keep your pets healthy & safe
Get real-time location information, wherever they go. See how much – or how little – activity they’re getting. And get Health Alerts if something might be wrong.
How a waterproof GPS tracker could save your pet’s life
We’ve covered how most water-loving dogs tend to have a strong prey drive. But sometimes, their hunting instincts can take them to some dangerous spots. Take the story of Imogen, a high-energy Borzoi who bolted the fence, chasing something near a bush – and who ended up crashing into the ice at a frozen lake nearby. Luckily, her mum was able to track her down from her tracker’s Location History and Heat Map. Rescuing her from freezing and drowning.
Here she is, pictured below – safe and sound, next to her Tractive device.
And if you’ve found this post helpful, share it with a fellow tech-savvy pet parent – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.
