Most people think of their pets as members of their own family. It can be devastating to have a cat or a dog run away or get lost. Many pet owners ask “is there a pet microchip with gps technology? Read on for valuable information on the 3 main types of pet tracking options pet owners today now have and the differences between them.
How much is a GPS microchip for dogs?
Microchipping your dog can cost anywhere from $0-$70, depending on where you live and where you have the procedure done. Some organizations like such as Blue Cross in the U.K. offer the service for free, since dog microchipping is mandatory there. But remember, the common microchip for dogs does not contain GPS technology and you won’t be able to track your dog with it.
On the other hand, you can buy a GPS dog tracker for $49 + subscription fee and track your dog anywhere, anytime.
Table of contents
If you are like many loving dog parents, you have likely considered all possible options when it comes to keeping your dog safe. You’ve heard about microchips as well as GPS dog trackers and thought; it must be possible to combine these two into one, to make the perfect gps tracking chip for dogs!
As the leading expert in wearable pet technology, we certainly agree that this would be the ideal solution for keeping our furry friends safe and sound. However, it’s important to be aware, that at this time, there is no such thing as a dog tracker chip that combines both a microchip and GPS tracker into one.
It is not possible to implant a GPS tracker under the skin of a dog at this time and current microchips for dogs do not offer GPS tracking. The following infographic illustrates the differences between these two types of technology, which are explained in further detail below:
Reason 1: Size
The Tractive GPS dog tracker, has dimensions of about 72 x 29 x 16 millimeters and weighs approximately 30 grams. Below, you can see the size of the GPS tracker, which easily fits onto your dog’s collar or harness:
Small, compact and lightweight, GPS trackers can be worn comfortably by your dog at all times, in the same way that you wear a standard or smartwatch.
By comparison, an implantable ID chip or transponder is about 11 millimeters long and two millimeters thick – nearly the size of a grain of rice. At this size, they can be safely implanted between your dog’s shoulders. It is a simple, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder, as shown in the x-ray photo below:
Why is there a size difference between GPS trackers and implantable chips?
Current implantable chips contain no information about your pet, or have any other functions or features, other than to provide an ID number which can be linked to your pet. They contain no GPS hardware components or technology.
This key difference between implantable chips and GPS trackers explains the first reason why GPS devices cannot be implanted into dogs at this time.
FAQ
How much does it cost to GPS chip a dog?