(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (about 220 ratings); the listing pools colors.
Wirecutter's best tracker for cats, with the same fast, precise tracking as Tractive's dog model and an excellent history map of where your cat roams. But its battery died after 5.5 days in testing, it's still bulky for a cat, and a buckle tab broke during fitting.
Subscription: Required: 1-, 2- or 5-year plans (Wirecutter)
Top complaints
- Short battery life
Wirecutter's unit was completely drained after 5.5 days on an active indoor-outdoor cat, the shortest of its picks. The Fi Mini For Cats still had about 30% left after the same time. Tractive's Amazon listing claims up to 7 days.
- Bulky, with flimsy plastic
Wirecutter says it's curved to fit a cat's neck but still pretty bulky, and one buckle-release tab broke off while fitting the collar.
Source: Wirecutter (GPS pet trackers) - Proprietary charger
The charging cord uses a unique magnetic attachment that won't work with other devices (Wirecutter).
Source: Wirecutter (GPS pet trackers)
What owners love
- Fast, precise tracking
Wirecutter found it had the same fast, reliable connection and live-tracking accuracy as the Tractive Dog 6.
Source: Wirecutter (GPS pet trackers) - Excellent history feature
The app shows your cat's paths over a custom time frame, with an optional heat map and territory outline (Wirecutter).
Source: Wirecutter (GPS pet trackers) - Lights to find a hiding cat
Two light strips help you spot a cat in a tree or bushes, though Wirecutter says the jingle may be too quiet outdoors. It comes with its own cat collar.
Source: Wirecutter (GPS pet trackers)
- You don't want to charge every few days
- Your cat won't tolerate a bulky collar
- Your cat stays indoors (GPS struggles indoors)
- Indoor-outdoor cats
- Seeing where your cat roams (heat map and territory)
- Spotting a hiding cat with the lights
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Best tracker for cats (updated 2026-05-11), replacing the Tractive GPS Tracker for Cats, which is being discontinued in 2026. It has the shortest battery life of the picks.