Why GPS Pet Trackers Are a Must-Have for Travel
Whether you’re checking into a pet-friendly hotel in Rome, camping in rural Canada, or navigating the hustle of Haneda Airport in Tokyo, one thing is always true: pets can wander. And when they do, you need to find them—fast.
That’s why GPS pet trackers are becoming essential gear for modern pet travelers. These compact devices let you track your dog or cat in real-time, offering peace of mind whether you’re at a local park or exploring a new country.
In this guide, we review the best GPS pet trackers of 2025, comparing real-world features, battery life, coverage in G7 countries, and ease of use.
🏆 Quick Comparison Table
| Tracker | Best For | Battery Life | Global Coverage | Subscription | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tractive GPS 2.0 | All-around travel | 2–5 days | ✅ EU, US, Japan | Yes | $49.99+ |
| Fi Series 3 | US-based travelers | Up to 3 months | ❌ US only | Yes | $99+ |
| Whistle GO Explore | Health + tracking | 20 days | ❌ US only | Yes | $129.95 |
| PETFON 2 | No subscription | 8–16 hours | ❌ Short range only | No | $159 |
| Jiobit Smart Tag | Small pets + air travel | 10 days | ✅ US, EU | Yes | $129.99 |
| Apple AirTag | Backup or indoor use | 1 year | ❌ No GPS | No | $29 |
🐾 1. Tractive GPS Dog & Cat Tracker 2.0
📦 Features
- Real-time GPS tracking via app
- Location history + virtual fences
- Waterproof and lightweight
- Global SIM with international roaming
✅ Pros
- Works in 175+ countries, including all G7
- Great for dogs and cats
- Subscription starts at $5/month
- Virtual fence notifications (e.g., hotel boundaries)
❌ Cons
- Requires cellular signal for tracking
- Battery lasts only 2–5 days
🔋 Battery Life
2–5 days with average use
🌐 Country Compatibility
Perfect for travel across Europe (EU SIM included), North America, and even Japan
🐕 2. Fi Smart Dog Collar – Series 3
📦 Features
- LTE-M GPS tracking (powered by AT&T in the US)
- Escape alerts, 24/7 location updates
- Health and step tracking
- Durable metal GPS collar
✅ Pros
- Industry-leading battery life
- Great for rural USA road trips and hiking
- Works without WiFi
❌ Cons
- US-only coverage (no EU/Asia support)
- No cat support
🔋 Battery Life
Up to 3 months (light usage)
🌐 Country Compatibility
US only – not recommended for international travel
🐕🦺 3. Whistle GO Explore
📦 Features
- GPS tracking + health monitoring
- Location history, fitness goals
- Waterproof, attaches to collar
- Requires WiFi to sync health data
✅ Pros
- Great hybrid for health + safety
- Location alerts + proactive pet reports
- Smart safe zones (great for fenced yards or hotels)
❌ Cons
- Only works in the United States
- Needs WiFi to access full data suite
🔋 Battery Life
Up to 20 days
🌐 Country Compatibility
Best for US travelers only
🐾 4. PETFON 2 GPS Tracker
📦 Features
- No subscription required
- Tracks pets up to 0.65 miles in urban, 3.5 miles rural
- Waterproof and rugged
- Built-in speaker to call your pet
✅ Pros
- No monthly fee
- Works without cellular service
- Compact and rechargeable
❌ Cons
- Short range only
- Doesn’t use mobile networks, so not true GPS
🔋 Battery Life
8–16 hours (daily recharging needed)
🌐 Country Compatibility
Great for camping in Canada, rural Italy, or hiking in France
Not ideal for dense city tracking or air travel
🐾 5. Jiobit Smart GPS Tracker
📦 Features
- GPS + cellular + WiFi + Bluetooth + encryption
- App alerts + real-time tracking
- Compact enough for cats, small dogs, and even toddlers
- Built-in geofencing
✅ Pros
- Strong multi-network tracking
- Excellent for air travel and city navigation
- Endorsed by TSA for carry-on (great for Lufthansa, ANA)
❌ Cons
- Subscription required
- Slight learning curve for setup
🔋 Battery Life
Up to 10 days (depends on activity)
🌐 Country Compatibility
Supports roaming in US, Canada, EU, and some Asian markets like Japan
🍏 6. Apple AirTag
📦 Features
- Bluetooth and UWB location (not GPS)
- Leverages Apple’s Find My network
- Water-resistant, tiny size
- Affordable and no monthly fees
✅ Pros
- Great backup tracker for flights or hotels
- Long battery life (1 year)
- Easy iPhone integration
❌ Cons
- No GPS, no real-time tracking
- Doesn’t work well if far from an iOS device
- Not ideal for outdoor or rural use
🔋 Battery Life
Up to 1 year
🌐 Country Compatibility
Best used indoors or in dense Apple-user areas
Not reliable in rural Canada or remote hiking areas
✈️ Best GPS Pet Trackers by Region (G7 Highlights)
| Region | Best Tracker | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Fi Series 3 or Whistle GO Explore | Long battery, LTE-M coverage |
| UK/EU (France, Germany, Italy) | Tractive or Jiobit | EU-compatible SIMs and wide coverage |
| Canada | Tractive or PETFON 2 | Depends on rural vs. city travel |
| Japan | Tractive or Jiobit | International roaming supported |
🔍 Final Thoughts
Choosing the right GPS pet tracker comes down to where you travel, how long you’re gone, and what kind of coverage you need.
- Want something global and reliable? Go with Tractive.
- Traveling within the US? Try Fi or Whistle.
- Prefer no subscriptions? Consider PETFON 2.
- Flying frequently? Jiobit or Apple AirTag makes a great addition for backup tracking.
👉 Browse more GPS pet trackers on Amazon →
❓ FAQ: GPS Pet Trackers for Travel
Do GPS pet trackers work without WiFi?
Yes. Most use cellular networks, not WiFi, to track pets. However, some also use WiFi to improve indoor accuracy or for health syncing (like Whistle).
Can I use a US GPS pet tracker in Europe?
Not all trackers support international roaming. Products like Tractive and Jiobit offer global SIMs that work in the EU, while others like Fi are US-only.
Are GPS pet trackers allowed on airplanes?
Yes, most are TSA- and airline-approved when turned off or in airplane mode. Devices like Jiobit, AirTag, and Tractive are small enough to fit inside a pet carrier or travel bag.
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