Wearable technology for pets brings plenty of glitter, but is it actual gold?

“There’s such an issue with access to care right now in the world, and there’s a shortage of vets, techs and assistants,” explains Heidi Freestone, owner of a professional pet care business and program manager of HumanePro social media. “If somebody is overanalyzing the data and looking at it constantly, then reaching out to the veterinarian team constantly, it can take away time that is needed for an emergency or somebody else that could be scheduled.”

Dr. Nancy Kay, veterinarian, California co-representative for Humane Veterinary Medical Alliance, takes another view: and author of A Dog Named 647, takes another view: 

“The more owners are involved in their pet’s health, the better. A veterinarian might find the data collected very useful, given that these sorts of parameters can be subject to interpretation when an animal is amped up in a veterinary hospital situation.” 

How wearable tech can turn pet health into a game?

Gamification presents another potential issue with pet wearables. The PitPat GPS tracker, for example, bestows badges and asks, “How far can you go?” Another tracker, Fitbark, awards “BarkPoints” according to movement sensed by the collar. Others, like Fi Series 3+, come with leadership boards, highlighting high scores like a video game.  

Guardians aiming for rewards and titles may do so at their pet’s expense. Freestone says most people who use these products act with good intentions and advises them to keep their pet’s safety always in mind. “With everything, I think moderation is key.” 

Kay also sees some potential benefits when these tools are used with responsibly. “If anything, these collars might let people know when they’re asking way too much of their dogs. For example, if the owner is tracking heart rate, they’ll see it reaching dangerous levels for a dog forced to run beside a bicycle.” 

Nevertheless, there’s enough of a concern for PitPat to acknowledge: “Remember, we don’t want you to over-exercise your dog. All your dog has to do to earn a badge is achieve the daily goal each day; you don’t get a bonus for overdoing it.”

What are the dangers of invisible fences?

Another pet wearable, and feature on some smart collars, is the invisible fence. These containment systems present stronger concerns to Freestone. The electric shock, vibrations and beeps they deliver to pets can lead to several dangers.  

“I do not recommend them. I think more harm comes from them than good,” she explains. At the top of the list why is the fear and stress they create in dogs.  

“I had a pet care client with an older dog, who, sadly, was euthanized because there was so much anxiety and fear instilled in that dog from those experiences, and the dog ended up reacting and biting somebody that came into the yard.” 

Furthermore, if your pet with a containment collar is attacked by another animal who comes onto your property without one, they may be unable to escape. And if they do pass through the barrier with correction, they may be unwilling to recross it and risk another.

What are the pros of pet trackers?

Still, Freestone says there are positive uses of commercial wearable technology for pets.   

“Personally, I've used tracking collars on my dogs when I've taken them on road trips. It helps ease my mind if they are staying behind in a pet-friendly rental,” she says. “Others may use tracking collars if their pets like to dart out of doors or if there are potential opportunities for a pet to escape in a new environment.” 

She emphasizes that devices should be properly fitting as to not cause distress. “And if there is an audio feature, make sure you train your pet with treats and positive reinforcement in a controlled environment to avoid any accidents.”  

In the end, whether wearable technology is right for your pet or not comes down to you as a caregiver doing your due diligence before purchasing and using these devices. As Kay explains, “What needs to happen is for consumers to be well educated on what data is important and what isn’t.”

What about using AirTags for pets?

While some families have turned to Apple AirTags to track their pets, there are some things you should consider before attaching one to your dog’s or cat’s collar. 

Apple does not recommend using an AirTag for pets. Unlike pet GPS trackers such as Tractive or Fi, AirTag relies on nearby Apple devices to send location information through Bluetooth and thus has a limited range. If your lost pet isn’t near someone with an updated Apple device and Bluetooth turned on, the AirTag won’t be able to connect to the “Find My” network. 

AirTags pose safety risks for pets. Because of AirTag’s small size, your pet, other animals or even children can easily swallow or ingest the device itself, pieces of it or, in the worst case scenario, its batteries.

If you’re concerned about your pet getting lost or out, look to GPS trackers that have been designed and approved for pets. And as added protection, our pet care experts at Humane World for Animals recommend you microchip your pet to ensure they can be identified if they lose their collar or tags.