10 Facts About Smart Collars

Smart collars for pets are similar to smartwatches for people. They use connected technologies like GPS, cell service, and WiFi to provide a host of utilities to pet owners. These specialty collars can be used to:

• Create virtual fences
• Record a pet's activity level
• Store pet health data
• Provide behavior correction
• Keep your pet safe from potential thieves

Pet owners use smart collars for many purposes, but the top reason is peace of mind. It can be stressful to take your dog outside if they tend to wander away or have jumped your fence. You might worry that a dishonest passerby will try to snatch your purebred animal from your yard.

Using a smart collar provides protection for your pets, whether they're indoors or out. Some collars also record crucial health data that your veterinarian could find helpful.

You decide to take your dog on a walk in a new wilderness area. Suddenly, they run away to chase a squirrel. It's an extremely stressful experience. You worry about where your pet went and whether they can find their way back.

Dogs and cats are naturally curious. Even the best-behaved pets can wander away on occasion. With a smart collar, you can easily track your pet's GPS location so that you know where to find them.

You might use a smartwatch or activity tracker to count your daily steps and calories burned. A smart collar can do the same for your pet. With the connected app, you can see exactly how much exercise your pet is getting and when they're getting it. Monitor this information for any significant changes and report them to your vet.

A sudden decrease in activity might mean that your pet is experiencing a medical problem.

Have you ever tried to take a dog or cat's temperature? It's not an easy task. Instead of struggling with a terrified pet when you need a temp reading, turn to a smart collar. Some collars track and record your pet's body temperature throughout the day. If you notice an abnormally high or low temperature, you can contact your vet and share accurate information.

This is also a great utility to have if you're concerned about your pets experiencing heat- or cold-related illnesses.

Did you know that regular sleep is important to your pet's overall health? It can be hard to know if your dog or cat is getting enough sleep. After all, you have to sleep too. Some smart collars can record this data so you have a better understanding of your pet's sleep habits. Tracking changes in these habits can help identify potential health issues.

Pet owners can use a smart collar to set up and enforce virtual fences. You designate the area where you want your pet to stay, and the collar keeps them within those boundaries. Some smart collars use shock training to keep pets inside their virtual fences or to correct problem behaviors.

If you prefer not to use a shocking device, look for a smart collar with more humane correction options. These collars use vibrations, ultrasonic noises, and audible sounds to discourage a pet from leaving their designated area.

You want to train your pet, so you make sure to reinforce positive behaviors. But how do you correct negative behaviors without hurting your animal? The vibrating capabilities on smart collars are a great choice for some animals.

If you're training your dog not to dig up flowers in your yard, send a vibration to the smart collar anytime the dog starts digging. These vibrations aren't painful. However, you should talk to your vet first to be sure that this training method is a good fit for your animal's breed and temperament.

Dog and cat thefts might not be common, but they are a rising issue across America. Thieves often target purebred animals in particular because they can sell them for a significant amount of money. Smart collars can help prevent theft by alerting you when an animal's location suddenly changes. You'll be able to track where your pet is and report that location to law enforcement.

Smart collars offer robust features to pet owners. However, the convenience of a GPS-connected collar can come at a high cost. Many smart collar brands require a monthly subscription for GPS tracking and health monitoring. Ask about the cost of any required subscriptions before you choose a smart collar.