Wearable Tech for Pets: Is It Worth the Investment?
Wondering if it's a good idea to outfit your pet with a GPS collar or buy a device that offers health information? Wearable tech offers many benefit for pets, but it's not always cheap. Before you click "order," make sure you understand what the devices can do and how they can help your pet.
What Is Wearable Tech?
Wearable tech includes any electronic device attached to your pet's harness, collar, or body. The devices collect information about your pet's behavior, location, or health, then provide that information to you through an app. GPS tracking, sensors, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth allow the devices to provide real-time information.
Types of Wearable Tech
Wearable tech includes:
- GPS and Location Trackers. These devices are placed on your pet's collar and allow you to track its movements in real time with a smartphone app. Some trackers allow you set virtual geofences around your yard or specific areas in your neighborhood and alert you if your pet leaves the fenced area.
- Activity and Health Monitors. Activity and health monitors are similar to the fitness wristbands people wear. These devices track your pet's steps, measure calories burned, and evaluate sleep quality. Some activity and health monitors also offer location tracking and provide detailed information about your pet's health, including temperature, pulse, heart rate, and respiratory rate.
- Behavior Monitors. Behavior monitors can provide information about barking frequency, anxiety, or unusual behavioral patterns.
Benefits of Wearable Pet Tech
Advantages of buying wearable tech for your pet include:
- Up-to-Date Location Information. Lost pets can travel many miles from home, making it difficult to find them. In fact, only 63% of lost dogs and 52% of lost cats were reunited with their families, according to Pet911's 2024 Lost Pets in America Report. Locating your lost pet is as simple as opening an app if your furry friend wears a GPS tracker.
- Health Monitoring. Changes in your pet's activity level, movements, or sleep can reveal arthritis, illnesses, or chronic diseases, while a rapid heart rate may mean your pet is in pain. Wearables allow you to spot potential signs of health issues before they cause serious symptoms, ensuring that your pet receives prompt veterinary treatment. Information from health tech devices also provides valuable information for your veterinarian.
- Behavioral Information. Some monitoring devices use artificial intelligence to evaluate voice patterns and determine your pet's emotional state, according to Global Market Insights.
- Stronger Bond. Your pet can't tell you that it feels awful or that being alone is scary. Wearable tech helps bridge the communication gap between you and your pet by offering information about your pet's physical and emotional health. Information provided by wearable tech devices can help you make positive changes to your pet's life and strengthen the human-pet bond.
Should You Buy Wearable Tech for Your Pet?
Whether or not the investment in wearable tech is worth it depends on your situation. If your pet tends to wander, a GPS collar could offer peace of mind.
Keep in mind that the initial cost of the tech device isn't the only expense you'll need to consider. Devices must be paired with apps that allow you to access the information recorded. An app subscription could cost $100 or more per year, while a GPS collar may cost $40 or more. Prices may be higher depending on the number of functions included in the device. Wearable pet tech generally lasts one to five years before it must be replaced with a new device.
Health information may not be so important if you have a young, healthy pet. However, the information provided by wearable medical devices can be invaluable if you have an older pet or a pet with a health condition.
Wearable tech, in addition to regular veterinary care, can help you protect your pet's health. Do you have a concern about your furry friend's health? Contact our office to make an appointment with the veterinarian.
Sources:
Pet911: Lost Pets in America: The 2024 Report, 6/12/2025
https://pet911.org/post/lost_found_pets_usa
University of Bristol: Log My Dog: Perceived Impact of Dog Activity Training, 9/2019
American Kennel Club: Tech Products for Your Dog to Make Your Life Easier, 3/25/2026
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/tech-products-for-your-dog/
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Pets and Wearable Tech, 9/11/2023
https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/pets-and-wearable-tech/
PMC: Frontiers in Digital Health, 12/18/2025
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12756407/
Global Market Insights: Tech Tails: How AI and Wearables Are Changing Pet Parenting, 6/4/2025
https://www.gminsights.com/blogs/how-ai-and-wearables-are-changing-pet-parenting
Los Angeles Times: Why Pet Health Monitoring Devices and GPS Are Essential for Modern Owners, 3/17/2026
