Occasionally, our pets find a way to escape from our homes and all the worst-case scenarios pop up in our minds. Our fears often range from fear that they got into an accident to worries that they have gotten themselves infected with illnesses or impregnated.

With so many of us treating our pets like children, it's no secret that we're willing to spare no expense when keeping them safe from harm. For this reason, many users have turned to the AirTag for their pet tracking needs.

Why the Apple AirTag Is Great Pet Tracker

AirTag with Cat

From the beginning, Apple has always insisted that its AirTags were designed for objects, not pets or people. However, there are many qualities that make the AirTag one of the best tools to keep your pet within your sight.

Unlike other trackers, the AirTag utilizes the expansive FindMy network, which can help locate your pet through the millions of iPhones in the world. Aside from this, the Apple AirTag is also lightweight, food-safe, and easily integrated into your existing Apple ecosystem.

Related: Should You Put an AirTag on Your Pet's Collar?

However, because it was not designed for pet tracking in particular, the AirTag is not without its share of disadvantages. For example, its anti-stalking features give you a very short eight-hour window before it alerts others of its presence, and there aren't that many existing third-party collars for this purpose.

Aside from this, the AirTag is also not as durable for adventurous animals that may enjoy swimming or play biting. Made for tracking objects, the AirTag also doesn't have additional functionalities that are pet-specific, like being made to track habits or additional health information.

If you're not sold on the idea of AirTags for your pets, here are some pet tracker alternatives that you may want to consider.

1. Whistle GO

If you're looking for a nifty little device to attach to your cat or dog's collar to track possible or existing health issues, the Whistle GO is the perfect choice. The Whistle GO keeps track of your pet's various habits, like excessive licking or scratching, and notifies you of potential medical concerns.

With an IPX7 rating that makes it safe for submersion under three feet of water, the Whistle GO is more than enough for pet owners whose pets love the outdoors. It can also detect activities like running, walking, and sleeping automatically. In fact, Whistle GO also keeps track of your pet's activity goals and sets reminders for everything, including upcoming vet visits and medicine times. With an integrated app, Whistle GO also offers tele-vet consultations and supplies the necessary records for the appropriate diagnosis.

At the core of Whistle GO is the intention to identify issues early. It helps keep track of your pet's exercise and food, and quickly connects you to vets during emergencies. Aside from this, Whistle GO can also mark safe zones and notify you if your pet breaches that area on a map.

2. Huan Smart Tag

With a lifetime warranty and an affordable price tag, the Huan Smart Tag is a good alternative for budget-conscious pet owners. Securely attached to any collar, it can be used for cats and dogs of varying sizes. Both light and durable, the Huan Smart Tag also has a year-long battery life and an integrated app for your use.

When marked as lost, the Huan Smart Tag automatically creates a missing pet web page, containing details of your pet's last known location, photos of it, and other information. Using the app, Huan Smart Tag utilizes Bluetooth technology to help find missing pets. It also automatically sends a message to your emergency contacts should your pet be alone at home for more than 24 hours.

Unfortunately, the Huan Smart Tag network still leaves much to be desired in terms of network access. Unless you live in areas with a high number of Huan Smart Tag users, like in California, you may struggle with getting consistent and reliable location data.

3. PetPace Collar

Unlike the AirTag, the PetPace Collar works like a Fitbit for pets. With a focus on activity tracking, the PetPace Collar is best for animal lovers who want their furry friend to stay fit and healthy. Not only does it track heart rate, respiration, and calorie burn, but it also tracks temperature, which makes it easy to know if your pet is likely to overheat from being left outdoors or in a car.

With a battery rated to last for up to six weeks, the PetPace collar comes in a variety of sizes for both cats and dogs. Although, it's good to bear in mind that it doesn't have a ring because it's not meant to be used for walking. Aside from this, the PetPace Collar has a IP67 water-resistant rating, which makes it water-resistant, but not waterproof.

Related: What Do Waterproof and Water-Resistant Mean?

One of the major drawbacks of the PetPace collar is that you'll need the PetPace Gateway base station within proximity to access its data. So while you can access intensive information about your pet's health when you are away from home, you won't be able to get it until they are within proximity to the Gateway.

4. Fi Smart Dog Collar

Securely fastened with metal clips, an armored aluminum face plate, and reinforced metal, the Fi Smart Dog Collar can take a beating. It also has an IP68 water and dust rating, which makes it possible to survive under five feet of water for up to 30 minutes, which is perfect if you and your pet live near a beach.

However, the Fi series' market is primarily for large dogs. For this reason, it's not the best fit for small dogs, cats, or other pets under about 10 pounds. Sizes start from small, with 11.5 inches, to extra-large, which can wrap around up to 34.5 inches.

Additionally, the Fi Smart Dog Collar Series 2 battery can last for up to three months on a single charge. You can also establish a safe zone, with a minimum radius of 60 feet, wherein your dog is free to roam without you. Once your dog leaves this zone, the app notifies you immediately.

When it is on Lost Dog mode, it uses a combination of GPS/LTE and Wi-Fi to locate your dog as fast as possible.

Keep Your Pets Safe

It can be difficult to make sure that your pets are always safe at home. In fact, some adventurous fur babies might do everything they can to go out and explore the world on their own terms.

Thankfully, technology has evolved to allow us to easily find our pets in the wild. Whether it's an AirTag or any of the other alternatives we've listed above, it never hurts to use as many options as possible to help your pet find its way back to you.

Each tracker will have its pros and cons. However, it's important to understand that different pets will have different needs depending on their age, breed, and lifestyle.