Pet GPS Trackers
How to choose a pet tracker
Weight and waterproofing first
A tracker heavy enough to annoy a cat will be off within a week, and any dog that swims or works in wet grass needs a properly sealed unit rather than a splash resistant one. Then decide how it reports. A 4G tracker needs a SIM and mobile coverage and shows you a live map wherever the animal goes. A Bluetooth tag relies on phones passing nearby, which works for a cat in a suburb and fails on a farm.
Battery against update frequency
A tracker reporting every few seconds gives you a live trail but needs charging every couple of days. One reporting every few minutes runs for a week or more and is usually enough to find an animal that has wandered. Geofence alerts matter more than either. Knowing immediately that they have left the property is what keeps the search short.
Compare the types
 Dog tracker |  Small pet tracker |  Bluetooth tag | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fits | Collar mount for medium and large dogs | 45g clip for cats and small dogs | Breakaway collar or collar mount |
| Needs a SIM | Yes | Yes | No |
| Live map | Yes, over 4G | Yes, over 4G | No, updates when a phone passes |
| Leaves the property alert | Yes | Yes | No |
| Suits | A dog on a farm or a lifestyle block | A cat or a small dog in a suburb | A cat that stays close to home |
| See | Dog trackers | Cat trackers | Cat tracker tags |
Buying guides
GPS Tracker Buying Guide NZHow it gets power decides everything
Pet trackersJump to this section of the GPS Tracker Buying Guide
Related
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Common questions
Does it work in rural areas?
A 4G tracker needs mobile coverage to report. Check coverage where you live, particularly in valleys and dense bush. Out of coverage it stores positions and uploads them when it reconnects.
How often do I charge it?
From a couple of days on live tracking to around two weeks on a slower interval; the listing gives the figure for each unit.
Does it need a SIM card?
The 4G units do: any New Zealand prepay SIM with a small data allowance, or one included with the unit. The app and web tracking on these units carry no subscription. Bluetooth tags have no SIM and rely on phones passing nearby.
Is it legal to put a GPS tracker on my pet in New Zealand? NZ law
Yes. It is your animal and there is no rule against knowing where it is. The law that limits trackers is about people: from 26 May 2026 the Crimes Act 1961 treats tracking a person on two or more occasions, knowing it is likely to cause fear or distress, as stalking and harassment (sections 216O to 216Q), with up to five years in prison. A tracker on someone else's animal, used to follow its owner, is exactly that.