OkcPets Magazine November 2023

20 OKC Pets • November / December 2023 the levels of your pet’s physical activity — such as steps taken, distance traveled, and calories burned — to provide insight into the animal’s exercise pattern and overall health. Armed with this information, you can establish a healthy exercise routine for your pet based on its breed, weight, and age. • Health tracking: Certain advanced pet trackers include sensors to monitor vital signs such as heart rate, tempera- ture, and sleep patterns, which can aid in early detection of potential issues. A tracker can also monitor how frequently your pet scratches, licks, eats, or drinks. For parents of senior pets or those with chronic conditions, health trackers alert you to irregularities. These insights help you and your veterinarian manage your pet’s health more effectively. • Geofencing: Smart collars can include a combination of features that support geofencing — establishing a virtual boundary that is particularly valuable for larger properties. You can set the GPS tracker to alert you when the pet wanders outside the boundary. Some models also let you set boundaries for different con- ditions, such as a wide perimeter during the day yet close to the house at night. Additional features include temperature sensing and LED lights to aid visibility. • Training: Certain trackers come with training features that enable you to reinforce positive behaviors and discour- age unwanted ones. For example, when you are training puppies, you can use a remote control to send signals such as vibrations or sounds to instill a positive and responsive relationship with the furry ones. • Identification tagging: Microchips — although not enabled by GPS — can store essential information about your pet that aids in retrieval if the pet is missing. These tiny devices have a unique identi- fication number that is registered with a national database. They are implanted under the pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. Veterinarians and animal-control officers who come across a lost animal routinely scan for the chip to look up ba- sic information about the pet and contact the owner. A Scary Five Days For Amie Trautman, the decision about a tracker was easy after the family’s Brittany, Riley, dug under the back fence and was missing for five days. She said, “Riley was finally spotted run- ning across Route 66 during some storms. A man stopped and was able to coax him into the car. Because the collar and name tag had fallen off, the driver took the dog to the vet, who contacted us. It was a happy return — but a hard and scary five days.” Because of that experience, Trautman said, the family discovered a Whistle brand tracker and have been faithful users for several years. They have used the trackers with three dogs and appreciate all the infor- mation they gain to know how the dogs are doing. Trautman said, “When one of our dogs started aging, we got alerts about exces- sive licking, so we knew to get her to the vet for care. And last weekend, when the grandpups were here, the activity-tracking feature enabled us to see that our other dog definitely got in his full exercise that day.” What To Look for in a Tracker If you’re considering buying a pet tracker, here are some factors to keep in mind: • Initial cost: Quality pet trackers range in price, depending on the type of device, brand, and features. You can get basic Bluetooth and RFID devices for less than $100. GPS trackers range from $50 to $200. Advanced health and activity monitors are typically $100 to $300, and features such as LED lights, cameras, and training capabilities will increase the cost. • Subscription fees: Some GPS trackers require a subscription plan for ongoing services such as real-time tracking and access to historical data. Subscription fees range from a few dollars per month to higher-tier plans that support different features. • Battery life: Depending on the type of tracker, battery life can be a concern. Some trackers need regular charging, and if the battery dies, the device becomes ineffective until recharged. Some models come with two batteries, so you can al- ternate between them to always have the juice you need. • Size and weight: Ensure that the tracker is properly fitted and doesn’t interfere with your pet’s normal activities. When introducing your pet to a tracking device, proceed gradually and use positive reinforcement. How the pet adapts will depend on temperament, comfort level, and past experiences. • Privacy concerns: In some cases, pet trackers can indirectly reveal the owner’s location, especially if the pet and you are often in the same place. In addition, if the tracker collects and stores data, there might be privacy considerations related to how that information is used. Concentrate on the Benefits Despite these potential drawbacks, many pet owners find that the benefits of pet tracking outweigh the concerns, especially when it comes to the safety and well-being of their pets. Like the time Toad disap- peared from the house…. An RFID tracker could have shortened that search and found her hiding place — on a deep shelf above the refrigerator. Finally, before purchasing a pet tracker, consider the specific needs regarding your pet — including size and lifestyle — along with the features you desire. Be sure to research different brands and models. Read the literature and user reviews. Consult with your veterinarian, who will often provide personalized advice for your pet. The vet might also carry tracking devices or provide recommendations on where to find the best solution for your family. GPS trackers such as theWhistle brand show the location of pets. When your pet is on the move, you can monitor the location in real time. Photo courtesy of Amie Trautman.