Tile For Dogs: Why It’s Not Enough To Keep Your Buddy Safe

A lost dog is every pet parent’s worst nightmare. Imagine being able to track your dog and always know where they are—sounds like a dream, right? With the right technology, you can give yourself peace of mind and keep your furry friend safe.

But when it comes to using Tile for dogs, what seems like a simple, affordable solution isn’t quite enough. While Tile may work for your keys or wallet, it’s not designed for tracking dogs. In fact, a dedicated GPS dog tracker is the smarter, safer choice to ensure your pet’s security.

Key Takeaways

• Tile is a Bluetooth tracker intended to help find lost items; not track living beings.
• It can only track your dog within a limited range (100-500 ft); so you can’t rely on Tile to track your dog anywhere.
• Tile doesn’t have GPS or real-time location tracking like a true GPS dog tracker does.
• Tile wasn’t made for dogs, so it lacks pet-specific features such as escape & health alerts.
• A dedicated dog tracker like Tractive is the much better choice, with live tracking, unlimited range, and advanced features designed specifically for pets.

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What is a Tile Tracker?

Tile is a small Bluetooth tracking device designed to help you keep track of everyday items. It attaches to your belongings and connects to your smartphone through the Tile app. When you misplace an item, you can use the app to make the Tile sound an alert, helping you locate it. Additionally, if you’re far from your item, you can use the “Find My Tile” feature to see its last known location. Tile is available in different models, including the Pro, Mate, Slim and Sticker.

How does Tile work?

Tile uses Bluetooth to show you it’s location in the Tile app. Here’s how it works:

1. Tile network: If your item is beyond Bluetooth range, the Tile community network can help. If another Tile user’s phone comes within range of your lost Tile, the location will be updated in your app. It’s anonymous and private.
2. Attach the Tile to your item: You can attach the Tile Tracker to your keys, bag or wallet.
3. Connect via the Tile app: Connect it to your smartphone via the Tile app (available on iOS and Android).
4. Locate your item: Open the Tile app and tap “Find” to make the Tile emit a sound, helping you locate it . This only works if the Tile is within Bluetooth range (usually 100-500 feet).
5. Out of range?: If you’re too far from the item, the app will show you the last known location of your Tile.

Can I put a Tile on my dog?

Technically yes, you can put a Tile tracker on your dog. It might be useful for helping you keep track of them in small or enclosed spaces, like around your house or yard.

But keep in mind: Tile is not designed for pets and doesn’t offer the same features as a true GPS dog tracker. And since it’s a Bluetooth tracker, if your dog goes out of range, you won’t be able to track them using Tile.

What’s the range of Tile tags?

In a nutshell: it depends on the version you’re using – plus factors like the size of your dog or cat and how far (and often) they like to be on the move. Here’s a quick breakdown of the different Tile trackers:

The Tile Network is a global network to help you track your items over longer distances. So if your dog goes out of range off your device, here’s what you can do:

• Head to your Tile app and select “Notify When Found.”
• Now, if another Tile user with the mobile app ends up near your missing dog, you’ll immediately get notified on your phone about its most recent location.
• If you’ve added your contact information, they can reach you by scanning the QR code on your lost Tile.

Read more: Why A QR Code Dog Tag Alone Can’t “Find” Your Dog

Tile GPS Tracker? Does Tile have GPS?

Every month, thousands of folks Google ‘Tile GPS tracker‘ – so there seems to be a common misconception that Tile has GPS. But in fact, Tile does not have built-in GPS¹ so it is not a GPS tracker. If you need actual GPS tracking, you would need a different device – a real GPS tracker (e.g., Tractive GPS).

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Follow every step with unlimited range Live Tracking. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Activity & Sleep Monitoring. Get Health Alerts if something seems off.

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Does Tile offer real-time tracking?

Since GPS is typically what makes real-time, live tracking possible, and Tile doesn’t have GPS – the Tile tracker does not offer real-time location monitoring⁴. As Life360 puts it, Tile “is best reserved for items such as a wallet, pet leash, luggage, or keys”.  Not the pet itself – which is more likely to run away than your wallet.

Get unlimited range and real-time tracking with Tractive

GPS trackers like Tractive, on the other hand, have you covered when it comes to actively finding and tracking your dog. For starters, the Tractive GPS offers an unlimited range – and real-time tracking. So you can track your pet no matter where you are on the planet and with just a glance at your device. In close proximity or indoors, Tractive can also lead you to your dog using Bluetooth localization in Radar Mode.

AirTag vs Tile for dogs: Which is better?

If you’re considering using Tile for dogs, you might have also wondered about AirTag for dogs and how the two devices compare. Both Tile and Apple AirTag are Bluetooth-powered trackers, and they share similar limitations when it comes to tracking pets. Neither is designed specifically for pets, so both struggle with range and lack real-time tracking.

Here’s a comparison of the two:

In conclusion, Tile and AirTag are both limited Bluetooth trackers, and neither is a perfect solution for dogs who roam outdoors or go on long adventures.

Pros & advantages of using Tile for dog tracking

Here are some of the pros of using Tile as a dog tracker:

• Affordability: A Tile Pro clocks in at $34.99 – which can be a pretty budget-friendly option. You can even purchase a Tile Combo pack to track multiple items for slightly less than $100.
• Battery life: Tile Mate, Tile Sticker and Tile Slim come with built-in 3 year batteries. Tile Pro comes with replaceable batteries that last up to a year.
• Ease of use: Tile tags are lightweight, portable, and easy to attach to a pet collar or harness. 

Cons & disadvantages of using Tile for dog tracking

Like we’ve covered, Tile is better for tracking your personal items – not your dog. Here are a couple of its downsides.

You’re limited to fellow Tile users

If your dog or cat wanders off beyond 500 feet (152 meters), you’ll only get notified by the Tile Network if another Tile user picks up on your missing pet’s location. (Or if your pet wanders back into Bluetooth range.) Because of this, Tile might not the best option if you’re out hiking with your pets or live in a remote area.

You’re stuck to a limited range

With a Tile tag, you’re limited to a tracking range of 100-500 feet (30-152 meters) – again, not a great choice for active outdoor pets. If you and your dog like to be on the move, a dog tracker with an unlimited range might be a better (and safer) option.

⚠️ Because it doesn’t matter how firm a hand you have on the leash. A high-energy active dog is always a squirrel, passing bird, or interesting scent away from hurtling away from you a mile a minute – too far from safety.

You’re missing out on other pawsome features made for dogs

When it comes to features, Tile falls short of dedicated dog trackers. Here’s not even the full list of what you get with a Tractive GPS & Health Tracker for dogs:

• Escape Alerts via a Virtual Fence – or “safe zone” – you can set up around your home and backyard
• Activity & Sleep Tracking, which can help you keep track of your pet’s activity and sleep stats
• Location History & Heat Map, where you can see where your dog has been & where they spent the most time

• Health Alerts to help you spot potential health issues early
• Light & Sound – activate the LED light or buzzer to help you find your dog in the dark
• 100% waterproof build
• Family & Public Sharing – let trusted friends and family track your pet
• Alexa compatible

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So, is Tile a good dog tracker?

Tile can be a decent option for indoor pets or low-activity dogs that stay close to home. If your dog tends to stick around your house or yard and doesn’t often run off, Tile may work for finding them within a limited range. However, for more adventurous dogs who roam or run farther, Tile is not the best choice.

Again, here are the limitations of using Tile as a dog tracker:

• No pet-specific features: Tile lacks key features that are important for pet safety, such as escape alerts or health monitoring.
• Limited range: Tile’s range is restricted to Bluetooth, so it won’t help if your dog gets too far.
• No real-time tracking: Tile doesn’t provide live updates on your dog’s whereabouts, unlike GPS trackers.

Where Tile might be helpful

• You’re on a budget. Starting at $29.99, Tile offers products including labels, stickers, and trackers. Tile stickers are especially popular for indoor pets like tortoises.
• Your pet’s a home-buddy. With a Tile Pro, you can keep track of your dog or cat up to the size of a neighborhood block. Which works nicely for dogs or cats who don’t like straying (too) far from home and are on the smaller, less active side.
• Your friends and family are active Tile users themselves. Stay connected on the Tile Network and help each other keep track of your items and pets.

When a dog GPS tracker makes more sense

On the other hand, you’ll benefit from a dedicated pet GPS tracker if:

You want complete peace of mind as a pet parent

Besides real-time tracking, GPS trackers like Tractive are built to ensure your peace of mind – no matter where your dog’s wandered off. And in many cases, it’s even saved lives.

Take, for example, Imogen, a high-energy Borzoi who ran off from home into a lake nearby – and crashed through the ice.

💡 Luckily, her mom quickly picked up on her location using Tractive’s Location History. Saving Imogen from freezing and drowning.

Your pet’s an active, outdoorsy sort

Some breeds might even be more likely to bolt at new sights, sounds, or smells – like Marnie, the Irish setter rescue.

Who was found safe and sound near a lake while her parents were on vacation – with a little help from the Tractive GPS.

You’re keeping an eye out for your pet’s health & wellbeing

Many pet tracking devices now come with activity monitors, much like Fitbits. Tractive goes further – its Health Alerts & Activity Monitoring features track both your pet’s sleep and activity levels to give you an individualized picture of their health.

So you can track dips and changes in how active your dog or cat is – and catch on early if something’s wrong.

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Tile vs GPS trackers: Figuring out which one works for you

Losing your dog is never a fun experience  – you always want to make sure you can find them any time. The panic, stress, and tears just isn’t worth it.

Here’s a quick summary of Tile as compared to the Tractive GPS – so you can tell the differences at a glance:

	Tile Bluetooth Tracker	Tractive GPS
Purpose	Tracking items: keys, bags, etc.	Tracking runaway dogs & cats
Price	Starting at $29.99	$69 + subscription fees
Subscription Plan	Not necessary, but you need a Premium subscription to unlock all features	Unlimited range + coverage costs all covered from as little as $5 / month
Range	Up to 500 feet	Unlimited
Battery	Up to 1 year battery life, replaceable	Up to 14 day battery life, rechargable
Water Durability	Water-resistant	100% Waterproof (IPX7-standard)
Dimensions	35mm x 35mm x 6.2mm	17.5mm x 71.4mm x 28mm
Location History
Last Known Coordinates
Tracker Sharing
GPS
LIVE Tracking
Worldwide Coverage
Virtual Fence / Safe Zone
Activity Tracking
Sleep Tracking
Health Alerts
Wifi / Home Power Saving Zone
Shock Resistant & Adventure-proof
Light & Sound	Sound only

So if you’re ready for complete peace of mind as a pet parent, invest in a dedicated dog tracker like Tractive GPS.

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.

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