We hope you like the products we recommend! Just so you know this post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking our links.
Disclaimer
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions from purchases made through links in this post.
It’s a real gut-punch when your cat goes missing.
You’re standing on your driveway calling their name and they’re not answering you. It doesn’t matter whether it’s only been a few hours or a few days; it feels awful.
We love cats because they’re so independent but that comes at a cost. They like to go outside and do their own thing, wandering around the neighbourhood and beyond getting up to who knows what trouble. When they go missing, it’s hard to feel positive. It’s easy to imagine some terrible scenarios, and it can quickly become a tiring distraction from your day-to-day life.
It can be even worse if your cat requires medication or has special dietary needs.
But what if you’re worried about losing you cat but you don’t want to keep them indoors? Is there a way to track a cat so that you know where they are when they don’t come home?
Yes, there is.
Or maybe you’re just nosy, wondering where the hell your cat goes when it’s out of the house.
We wanted to take a look at what the best small cat trackers on the internet were and are they worth buying?
What to look for in cat trackers
Be careful because some pet trackers aren’t suitable for cats.
Some trackers will be too big for a cat collar and too heavy for a cat to wear.
This is often the case if the product has been specifically designed for dogs so always check before buying.
Many GPS trackers for cats require a subscription so be aware there may be a monthly cost even after you’ve purchased the tracker itself. We’ve included small cat trackers below that don’t need a subscription.
Battery life can vary between trackers, too. You’ll find the information on the manufacturer’s website or the product page you visit online.
Some GPS cat collars (and others) use radiofrequency. You can use a GPS cat tracker through your smartphone and it shows the location in real-time which should make it easier to locate a missing cat (but if you live in an area with poor service then there may be poor coverage). You also need to be mindful about the battery length of GPS trackers as they can run down relatively quickly.
Radiofrequency trackers are much smaller than GPS trackers; they use the same technology as hand-held radios (walkie talkies) so the range is more limited but they are more accurate and the battery lasts much longer.
You may be tempted to pick GPS over radiofrequency because of how integrated GPS is in our smartphones and often in our cars but we’d recommend you study the pros and cons of both before buying. You may be surprised at how much more suitable radiofrequency is.
If you’re worried about your cat wandering too close to a specific area, you can buy cat trackers with a geofence option. Geofence means you’ll get a notification if a cat wanders out of a specific area or travels a certain distance.
You should decide, too, whether you want real-time tracking or not as this will mean buying a subscription.
The 5 Best Small Cat Trackers
We’ve selected the best small cat trackers available online. We’d always recommend that you study the features before buying as well as reading verified customer reviews.
Tracki 2020 Model Mini Real time GPS Cat Collar Tracker.
This is a GPS tracker for cats that does require a monthly subscription. The longer you subscribe up for the cheaper the monthly fee is.
No products found.
This is a lot smaller than other GPS trackers. It’s 30% smaller than its closest rival. GPS trackers are known to be bulky so if you prefer to travel light then this will be your best bet.
Features:
Product dimensions: 1.74 x 1.5 x 0.6 inches
Weight:1.26 ounces
International SIM card included
Lifetime warranty
Live customer service
1 Lithium-ion batteries required (included).
Pros:
- Easy to carry in a bag or pocket
- You can attach it to other things, too, so when you’re not using it for your cat try it on luggage or even children.
- There’s a 1-month battery life
- It’s easy to set-up
- Real-time tracking so you know where your cat is at that moment.
Cons:
- You have to pay a monthly subscription
This is versatile enough that you can use it on objects and people as well as cats.
Tractive Smart Cat GPS Tracker
No products found.
Pros:
Real‑time GPS and live updates
Historical path mapping/heat‑maps
Sleek, lightweight design
Waterproof and durable
Tracks activity & wellness
Virtual fence alerts
Global LTE coverage
Decent battery with low‑power mode
Cons:
Subscription required
Fast battery drain in live mode
Accuracy affected by environment
Potential detachment risk
Occasional slow tech support
Check the price here
Cat Tailor – The Smallest and Lightest Bluetooth Waterproof Cat Tracker
This has the benefit that it’s been specifically designed for cats so it’s small and lightweight. It uses Bluetooth to track your cat so there’s no subscription
No products found.
The battery lasts around 6-months.
Features
Ranges of up to 328 feet
Product dimensions: 1.08″ in diameter
Weight: 0.28 oz.
Range: 328 ft (100 meters)
Battery: Included CR1632
Pros:
- There’s an easy user interface on the app
- You can add multiple cats to the app and track them all in one place
- It’s lightweight
- It’s waterproof
- It’s designed and made in the US
- There are no subscription costs
Cons:
Out of range might not mean the cat is very far away. The signal could be blocked by a building or vegetation so lacks the accuracy of GPS.
This is probably more suitable for indoor cats or for cats that don’t tend to wander too far.
Tabcat V2 Cat & Kitten Tracker
No products found.
Pros:
Super-accurate and intuitive RF tracking
Featherlight and nonintrusive
Long-lasting batteries, no monthly fees
Works indoors and out, multiple tags
Cons:
Shorter range than GPS systems
No mapping or alerts — must search manually
Build durability and support quality vary
Girafus Cat Tracker RF
This is another radio frequency tracker so it comes without the need for a subscription service.
No products found.
This has a range of up to 1600 feet or 500 meters so it covers a wider area than other RF trackers.
Features:
Range: up to 1600 feet
Up to 30 days battery
2.4GHz RF-Technology
Pros:
- There’s no subscription
- It’s been preconfigured for up to 4 cats (additional tags may need purchasing depending on package).
- There’s a direction indicator and LEDs to make it easier to locate the cat
Cons:
- Can drain the batteries quickly
RF trackers like this one is useful in places where there’s a lot of places for a cat to hide in or under. Owners living on expansive properties may find this one more helpful than others.
Can I put a tracking device in my cat?
No, microchips don’t use GPS. Your next best option is to use a cat tracker that attaches to the collar like the ones we’ve listed above.
Are Cat GPS trackers safe?
GPS trackers are safe but they’re not always 100% accurate if your cat likes to hide underneath or inside things. It can make it hard on the tracker to pinpoint the exact location. For example, if a cat was hiding underneath a shed on your property the GPS might not detect the signal. An RF tracker would alert you of the collar’s signal if you were within range.
Can I use TILE to track my cat?
You can use TILE to trace a cat but that’s not what the product was designed for. It’ll work but it’s worth looking over the specifications and guides before purchasing to make sure it’s suitable for your pet. Trackers specifically designed for cats may have some additional features such as being water resistant.
What’s the smallest cat tracker?
The smallest cat tracker is the Cat Tailer tracker which we’ve listed above in our post. It’s only 0.8 inches in diameter and weighs 0.28 ounces. It’s made specifically for cats which gives it the advantage of being small enough to fit small and medium-sized cats.