Tractive GPS Cat review: always know where your cat is, even beyond your own grounds
Tested by Mabel van den Busken - Founder & tester
The Tractive GPS Cat is the only tracker with which I could follow Snowy in real-time up to several kilometres away.
Location accuracy in urban areas is excellent - deviations of less than ten metres are normal. Outside built-up areas accuracy decreases slightly but remains usable. The biggest downside is battery life: with real-time tracking the Tractive lasts no more than five hours. The monthly subscription costs (minimum 4 euro) are an ongoing expense to factor into your decision.
Test scores
Pros
- Real-time location without delay - map refreshes every two seconds
- Lightweight (35 grams) - Snowy did not notice it on her collar
- Activity monitoring: sleep, active and resting distinguished per cat
- Works worldwide via mobile network (175+ countries)
- Waterproof (IP67) - reliable in rain too
Cons
- Battery life with real-time tracking: 3-5 hours
- Mandatory monthly subscription (€ 4 to € 8 depending on duration)
- Accuracy decreases outside urban areas and with poor GSM coverage
- Tracker must be charged daily with intensive use
GPS accuracy in practice
Set up a 'safe zone' in the app around your house. You will then immediately receive a push notification when Snowy leaves the zone. This is the feature I use most.
Battery life: the biggest downside
Set a schedule in the app: real-time during the day, saving mode at night with a ten-minute update interval. This gives you two days on a charge without compromising daily use.
The Tractive app: clear and reliable
Test log - 6 weeks
- Week 1
Installation and first trips tracked
Strong startTracker attached to Snowy's breakaway collar (35 grams - barely noticeable). App set up including safe zone around house. First real-time tracking session: Snowy walked up to 800 metres from home. Location update every two seconds - impressive.
- Week 2-3
Battery behaviour and daily use
MixedReal-time during the day, saving mode at night - daily charging necessary. Twice the charger fell off at night: empty battery in the morning. Magnet reinforced with a rubber band as a temporary fix. GPS accuracy in neighbourhood: consistently below ten metres.
- Week 4
Test outside urban area
SufficientTook Snowy on a day trip to the countryside. GPS accuracy in open field: average 35 metres deviation - acceptable. In dense forest: tracker briefly lost signal (two minutes). Battery empty after five hours of real-time tracking.
- Week 5-6
Long-term assessment
PositiveNo technical defects after six weeks. Tracker survived several rainy days without issues (IP67). Snowy left the safe zone twice at night - both times immediately notified via push notification. Exactly what I bought it for.
Specifications
- Brand and model
- Tractive GPS Cat
- Weight
- 35 gram
- Dimensions (l x w x h)
- 5,1 x 3,3 x 1,3 cm
- Location technology
- GPS + GSM + wifi triangulation
- Accuracy (city)
- Average less than 10 metres
- Battery life (real-time)
- 3-5 hours
- Battery life (saving mode)
- 2-5 days
- Water resistance
- IP67 (submersible to 1 metre, 30 min)
- Coverage
- 175+ countries via mobile network
- Subscription costs
- From € 4 per month (annual payment)
- App
- iOS and Android
- Tracker purchase price
- € 49,99
Comparison with alternatives
I compare the Tractive GPS Cat with two other GPS trackers I have tested.
| Criterion | Tractive GPS Cat | Weenect Cats 2 | Pawtrack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | € 49,99 | € 39,99 | € 89,99 |
| Subscription /month | Vanaf € 4 | Vanaf € 5 | Inclusief |
| Weight | 35 g | 35 g | 58 g |
| Real-time tracking | |||
| Activity monitoring | |||
| Battery 5+ hours real-time |
Alternatives we also tested
Want to see more options? These are the other GPS trackers I have tested.
Tractive GPS Cat
Pawtrack GPS Collar
Frequently asked questions about the Tractive GPS Cat
Snowy with the Tractive GPS Cat - 6 weeks outdoors
Photos from the test log. Snowy wore the tracker for 6 weeks on her breakaway collar.
New reviews in your inbox
On average once a month, always free. Only what Mabel truly recommends.