Does your dog need a Fitbit? Why are dog activity trackers so popular?

Taking care of dogs and making sure all their needs are met can sometimes feel like a full-time job. Did they eat the right amount of calories for the day? Are they getting enough exercise? Do they scratch their ears more than usual, or is that just your imagination?

Enter canine activity trackers — wearable fitbit-style devices for dogs that ask to answer these questions and provide insights into their health, behavior, and activity levels. good dog.

We have to admit: they sound appealing. After all, we get a boost from tracking our own health goals—why not our dog’s?

However, the reality is a bit more complicated. Devices can be expensive, while others require expensive subscriptions — and is the data you receive meaningful or even accurate?

To find out, we did the research, did some testing, and spoke with experts like Erin Richardson, Certified Professional Dog Trainer for Assessed Knowledge (CPDT-KA) and Erin Richardson. owner of Modern Minds dog training. Here’s what we discovered.

How Fitbits and Dog Activity Trackers Work

Just like human health trackers, dog activity trackers keep tabs on overall health and daily activity levels. Some can even sync with your personal fitness tracking apps so you can compare stats with your pet dog and stay motivated to stay in shape together.

Drazen Zigic via iStock

If your dog needs to lose a few pounds, dog activity trackers can help manage their weight through calorie tracking, nutrition calculator and daily fitness goals. Some even offer in-depth charts that let you review your puppy’s progress, giving you comprehensive data broken down by day, week, month, or year.

Many dogs are also suitable monitor changes in behavior and healthalerts you if there are signs of scratching or licking, which can be helpful if your puppy is prone to allergies or infections.

They may also notify you of any changes in activity levels or sleeping patterns. Trainer Erin Richardson explains: “Dogs sleep more than people realize, and not getting enough rest can exacerbate behavior problems and can also be a sign of anxiety. concerns about potential health.”

And for pet parents who need a little extra help staying on top of things, most dog activity trackers have the option. Set reminders for things like vet visits, vaccinations, and giving your puppy flea and tick medication.

Finally, some suitable for dogs also option to add GPS trackingit’s a powerful safety tool if your dog is known for their disappearing behaviors (a one-puppy show that no one really wants to attend). GPS Tracker is a purchase for peace of mind especially popular among active, exploratory pups. As Richardson points out, “Even a dog with near-perfect recall runs the risk of getting lost when on a leash in an open area.”

Different types of dog activity trackers

To give you a feel for the different types of dog activity trackers on the market — and which might be right for your puppy’s specific needs — here are some of the devices ranked. Top class in the market:

Some dog activity trackers prioritize detailed step counting and distance tracking, like Fi Smart Collar Series 2. This device focuses on impressive levels of physical activity, tracking your dog’s activity level and distance traveled. It allows pet parents to customize step goals (breed and size considerations) and chart fitness progress over time. You can even opt in to local leaderboards for some friendly contests.

The Fi offers in-depth sleep tracking, but it doesn’t offer as much behavior tracking as other models on the market — although it’s an increasingly popular choice for powerful GPS.

Fi activity tracker and GPS necklace.

The FitBark2 is the device that best caters to pet parents looking for behavioral insights. It offers distance tracking, but its real strength is a host of health tracking features like licking, scratching, and sleep tracking.

FitBark’s mobile app provides an hourly view of a dog’s stress levels, which can be helpful for puppies with separation anxiety. No subscription is required to access all data (though if you decide you want GPS, you’ll have to purchase a completely different FitBark device, which comes with a subscription fee).

FitBark application and activity tracker.

For pet parents who want it all — health insights, activity reports, and real-time location tracking — Whistle Go Discover is the most popular choice. In our test, we found the device useful in tracking down one of our own escape artists. We were particularly impressed when we discovered Pup Sabine’s ear infection in the Rover Test Pup Sabine before her parents did.

It pushes the envelope of health tracking with on-demand access for veterinarians, although subscriptions to access this and other perks are expensive.

Whistle Go Explore combines GPS, health and fitness tracking.

For more dog tracking devices on the market, check out our article “The best dog activity trackers and Fitbits to track your pup’s health and fitness. “

What Trainers Say About Dog Activity Trackers and Fitbits

Fitbit-style trackers for dogs can offer real health benefits — and some surprising revelations, as trainer Erin Richardson knows from experience.

Having personally used the Fi collar on their Australian Labradoodle Charlotte, Richardson has found it very helpful to know how many miles Charlotte has actually covered. “I found out I didn’t get as far with her as I thought I would,” they said. “It’s been really helpful in making sure she gets the exercise she needs to stay healthy and happy.”

Knowing the details of your dog’s daily activities can also help professionals come up with a specific plan that’s better for your dog—from introducing new medications to changing training. behavior. In fact, Richardson includes information about dog activity trackers in their training material in case dog parents want to learn more.

RyanJLane via iStock

“Many of my clients have dogs that struggle with fearful and/or aggressive behaviors,” explains Richardson. “A fitness tracker is very helpful in telling us if a dog is getting too little exercise — a lack of exercise can exacerbate behavioral problems.”

However, the device is not without problems. We’ve found that at least one minor technical problem is common. Richardson reports that in the early days, the Fi necklace would warn them that Charlotte was leaving the property when she was really just in her crate. But after a week, the problem was resolved and the device has been working pretty well ever since.

We also spoke with assistant trainer Mallorie Valdez, who is a trained shadow dog trainer and certified behaviorist and has trained her. service poodle, Elijah. She’s an avid user of several dog activity trackers (including the FitBark and Fi). Valdez says the most important benefit is the ability to make sure her dogs are getting their needs met and that they are feeling their best.

“I can do a quick check to quickly see how their day is going, how their sleep quality is, and even notice trends if they’re not feeling their best self,” she said. That can be important information at times, like when Elijah was bitten by a ferret’s tail and FitBark alerted Valdez to his increased itching. Nails are no joke—They can be deadly to dogs.

“I find that it increases my bond and connection with my dogs, and the tracker gives me information I can guess,” she says. “When we’re hiking or camping, I can see how active they are and adjust their food accordingly to make sure they’re getting enough calories on those really active days.”

Valdez added that it’s also a fun way to keep her active. “I find that using the tracker encourages me to get out and do more with my dogs to make sure we all hit our walking goals,” she says.

Final Verdict: Are Dog Activity Trackers Worth It?

There is a dog need an activity tracker? Sure is not. But if you can afford the extra and don’t mind the occasional crash, yes – we think dog activity trackers are doing an impressive job of living up to the hype. .

They can be especially helpful for breeds that are prone to certain diseases and obesity. And they’re good at catching changes in behavior, which can be early signs of injury or infection—things that can become dangerous quickly.

RyanJLane via iStock

A more accurate view of your dog’s true levels is also a worthwhile goal, especially since it can be difficult to gauge and activity level is often the key to solving problems with dog health. behavior.

And the frequent marriage of suitable dog and GPS Tracker invest a lot in equipment that is practical and secure.

More simply, they’re often just a fun way to bond with your dog or have a furry companion for your own wellness journey.

Short answer? No, dog-appropriate clothing certainly isn’t necessary for your dog to be happy and healthy — but if it’s pocket-friendly, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that your dog’s activity tracker Dogs are some of the more fun and useful accessories for dogs that we have across.

How we choose the right dog

The dog health and activity trackers featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, comprehensive review of customer reviews across multiple selling platforms. retail and interviews with professional coaches. We prioritize accurate distance tracking, a wide range of health tracking features (including licking, scratching and sleeping), user interface, pricing, and GPS capabilities. We are also guided by our own experience of living and playing with our own much-loved and steadfast pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.

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