With Australians owning over 4.8 million domestic dogs, it’s no surprise that dog owners nationwide are seeking ways to better understand and care for their furry companions. Enter dog activity trackers – wearable devices that attach to your dog’s collar to monitor their daily fitness, health, location and more.
But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the right tracker for your pup? This comprehensive guide will break down the key features to look for, the top devices available in Australia, tips from vets on getting the most out of these gadgets, and much more.
How Dog Activity Trackers Work
Most canine activity trackers are small devices that attach to your pup’s collar. They use a combination of accelerometers, GPS chips, Bluetooth, and mobile apps to record and analyze your dog’s daily habits and vitals.
Data like steps taken, distance travelled, calories burned, heart rate, sleep patterns, and location can then be synced to a smartphone app, allowing you to set fitness goals, monitor changes, and ensure your dog’s overall wellbeing.
Advanced trackers use machine learning algorithms to establish baselines for your individual dog, detecting any abnormal changes in behavior that could indicate emerging health issues like anxiety or arthritis.
Benefits of Using a Dog Activity Tracker
There are many potential upsides to investing in a canine activity monitor for your faithful companion:
- Achieve fitness goals: Set daily exercise targets based on your dog’s age, breed, and weight – then track their progress. Great for weight loss or training regimens.
- Monitor health changes: Subtle differences in sleep, activity, heart rate, or GPS patterns can alert you to brewing health problems. Vets recommend comparing data month-to-month.
- Enrich play time: Some trackers include “fitness challenges” to compete against other dogs and motivate more intense play.
- Improve training: Features like “geofencing” use GPS to define safe zones for your dog, alerting you if they wander too far.
- Plan better care: Reminders from the app can prompt you for medications, vet visits, grooming, feeding, and more.
- Peace of mind: For escape-prone pups, live tracking provides real-time location data and mapping.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing In Australia
With myriad options on the market, it helps to have a clear idea of your needs and priorities when selecting a dog activity tracker. Considerations include:
- Dog size and breed: Ensure the size, weight, and collar fit suits your dog. Small dogs have different activity profiles.
- Key features wanted: Do you most want step counting, GPS tracking, geofencing, health monitoring? Or all the above?
- Monthly fees: Many trackers require a monthly subscription for GPS and advanced features. Factor this into your budget.
- Smartphone compatibility: Most sync to iOS and Android, but check app platform before purchasing.
- Durability: Rambunctious pups need a sturdy, chew-proof, waterproof design made for rough play.
- Battery life: Recharging frequency ranges from every few days to every few months depending on the model. Plan accordingly.
Getting the features that matter most for your dog and lifestyle will help choose the right activity tracker for your needs and budget.
Top Canine Activity Trackers in Australia
With market-leading options from global brands like Garmin, FitBark, and Whistle, there are excellent Australian retailers offering the latest canine activity monitors suitable for dogs nationwide.
Here are five of the top-rated devices to consider for your Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, or Adelaide pooch:
1. FitBark 2
The FitBark 2 provides comprehensive health tracking in a tiny, durable bone-shaped unit. It syncs directly to your smartphone app to monitor sleep quality, activity levels, calories burned, and anxiety.
A monthly FitBark Health report compares your dog to others in Australia of the same age and breed. Vet-approved and designed for dogs of any size.
Best for: In-depth fitness and health tracking
2. LINK AKC Smart Collar
This sleek smart collar tracks activity, sleep, location, and provides remote training capabilities. Use “adventure sharing” in the app to map walks nationwide and monitor playtime.
Temperature and sound sensors also detect unusual barking or signs of distress. For medium and large breed dogs.
Best for: GPS location tracking and adventure mapping
3. Whistle GO Explore
With 20 days of battery life, the Whistle GO provides real-time GPS tracking and activity monitoring in one.
Key features include heat alerts, health insights, adventure sharing, and a light-up beacon to keep your pup safe after dark. Best for medium to large dogs.
Best for: Long battery life and live GPS tracking
4. Garmin Alpha 100
The Alpha 100 allows you to remotely track and train up to 20 dogs from one system. With accurate GPS mapping, activity monitoring, and bark detection, it’s ideal for hunting dogs and working breeds. Rugged, waterproof design. Requires subscriptions for full functionality.
Best for: Multi-dog and/or working dog owners
5. Paby 3G GPS Pet Tracker
For real-time location tracking Australia-wide, the Paby utilizes 3G cellular networks with no distance limits. See your pet’s location, temperature, activity levels, and define custom geo-fenced zones via the smartphone app. Ideal for traveling, camping, or escape-prone pets.
Best for: Unlimited nationwide GPS range
While prices and features vary widely, any of these five highly-rated dog activity trackers available in Australia will let you better monitor your pup’s health, fitness, and adventures. Be sure to consult your vet on use and any concerns flagged by the devices.
Tips for Using a Dog Tracker
- Choose the right size: Ill-fitting collars can cause neck injuries. Measure your dog’s neck and ensure a proper fit.
- Prioritize comfort: Look for lightweight devices with smooth, rounded edges that won’t irritate your dog’s neck.
- Personalize goals: Generic step and activity targets aren’t tailored for age, breed, or health conditions. Consult your vet.
- Supplement, don’t replace: Trackers provide helpful data but don’t remove the need for annual checkups, bloodwork, and examinations.
- Consider limitations: Metrics like calories or mood are estimates. Monitor trends over time rather than daily spikes.
- Address alerts promptly: Unusual changes flagged by the app should be discussed promptly with your vet.
Following these tips can help you maximize the health benefits of a canine activity tracker, remember – they’re a supplement to your own hands-on care, not a substitute.
Is a Dog Activity Tracker Right for You?
For most dog owners Australia-wide, an activity tracker can be a fun way to both enrich their pup’s daily life and gain peace of mind over their health and safety.
Especially for energetic, athletic, or elderly dogs, the insights provided into fitness and behavior can be invaluable – if interpreted wisely under veterinary guidance.
That said, these devices are an investment, both in terms of initial purchase costs and potential monthly subscription fees. For dogs that stick close to home in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane etc and show no issues with activity or health, a tracker may be unnecessary.
Before purchasing, have an honest conversation with your vet about whether your dog could benefit based on their breed, age, and any existing conditions. If they’re given a clean bill of health, then a canine activity tracker can provide wonderful insights into keeping your dog both fit and healthy as they bound through life’s daily adventures by your side.
Key Takeaways on Canine Activity Trackers
- Advanced trackers monitor steps, distance, heart rate, location, sleep, calories, and more.
- They can help dogs achieve fitness goals, improve training, and address health issues.
- Choose a model suited to your dog’s size and intended use case (GPS, fitness, health alerts, etc).
- Validate data trends with your Australian vet – accuracy limitations exist.
- Adjust food, exercise, and routines wisely based on the tracker insights.
- They supplement good preventive vet care, not replace it.
Investing in the wellbeing of our furry best friends is one of the great joys of being a pet parent. Used thoughtfully, today’s wearable canine activity trackers can provide wonderful insights into keeping your dog both fit and healthy as they bound through life’s daily adventures. Just be sure to celebrate the special bond that makes pet parenthood so rewarding – with or without the data.
FAQs
What is the dog version of Fitbit?
There are several activity trackers designed just for dogs that provide similar functionality to a Fitbit fitness tracker. Top options include the FitBark, Whistle, and Fitpur dog activity monitors. They track steps, distance, calories, and sleep.
Is there an app to watch your dog?
Yes, most dog activity monitors come with a compatible mobile app for iOS and Android. Popular options like the LINK AKC collar, Whistle GO, and FitBark allow you to view your dog’s vitals, track walks, set reminders, and monitor behavior remotely via the smartphone app’s dashboard.
Is tile or AirTag better for dogs?
AirTag and Tile are both Bluetooth trackers that can attach to your dog’s collar. AirTag typically offers longer range, real-time tracking via Apple’s Find My network, and replaceable batteries. Tile has a louder ring and easier attachment options, but requires being in Bluetooth range.
How far do AirTags reach?
AirTags have an approximate Bluetooth range of 30-100 feet. However, Apple’s Find My network uses encrypted wireless connections with nearby devices to update your dog’s location in real-time from much farther away, without precise distance limits. Overall range depends on density of iPhones in the area.
How long do Apple AirTags last?
The user-replaceable battery in an Apple AirTag lasts approximately 1 year before it needs to be replaced. You can check your AirTag’s current battery level in the Find My app, getting notifications when the battery runs low. Replacement CR2032 batteries are inexpensive and widely available.
Can you get a pet on Apple Watch?
Unfortunately the Apple Watch does not have an official app to track pets and their activity or vitals. However, third party iOS apps like FitBark, Whistle, and Tractive can provide detailed data and notifications regarding your dog’s health, location, and activity levels which you can view on your Apple Watch alongside your own fitness data.
This article is for general information purposes only and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Please consult your vet regarding any specific health or behavioral concerns about your dog.
