Thinking About Using an AirTag to Track Your Dog? Pros and Cons

Introduction

Did you know that a stranger might be contributing to tracking your dog with an AirTag? The AirTags do not use GPS for tracking. Instead, they secretly communicate with active Apple devices around it using Bluetooth technology. With a large consumer base for Apple, the chances of tracking your dog are significantly high.

AirTags are highly efficient and lightweight devices that are rechargeable and easy to use. Apple introduced its first-ever AirTag in April 2021. Since then, the technology has evolved. The latest AirTag 2 is set to feature improved range and precise tracking.

This article is all about Apple's AirTags and how they can prove to be useful for tracking your dog. It will provide an extensive review of its positive aspects and elaborate on the negative ones. After this article, you can make an educated decision to buy a dog AirTag for your dog tracking or not.

1. How Do Apple AirTags Work For Dogs?

Apple AirTags are disc-shaped devices that can easily attach to your dog's collar or harness.

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

AirTags harness the official Bluetooth technology developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) in 2009, known as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The technology works with iOS/iPadOS 14.5 or later, including iPhone 6S or later.  The technology allows communication with Apple devices within a 10-100-foot range. It uses very little energy, which enables it to have a 1-year battery life.

"Find My"Network by Apple

Dogs that run away on a curious trip can be conveniently tracked using Apple's crowd-sourced Find My network. The dog AirTag sends its location data to all the devices, which is picked up by a nearby Apple device. The message is encrypted, and the device owner is unaware of the communication that happens through their device. If the device has an internet connection, it uploads the location data to iCloud.

The Dogs AirTag owner is the only person who can decrypt the location and view it on the map. The technology allows everyone's device to act as a passive search team.

Precise Search with Ultra Wideband (UWB)

In case your dog is near you, that is within the range of 30 feet, a U1-equipped device can switch from BLE to UWB, which allows precise searching capabilities. It will guide you using compass-like arrows that take you directly to your dog wearing the AirTag. These are highly efficient when searching in close quarters.

Near Field Communication (NFC)

Another neat way dog AirTags can help find your dog is through messages incorporated into the AirTag itself. In case someone finds your dog and wants to know about the owner, they can simply use their NFC-enabled device and tap on the dog's AirTag to gain access to all the information, like contact information and a custom message you set, allowing them to instantly call or text you for a quick reunion.

2. When Will AirTags Be Used To Track Dogs?

The AirTags are efficient in areas where there is good network coverage and lots of devices. Urban areas fill that criteria, which makes dog AirTags relevant for densely populated areas. Therefore, to take the dog on a walk, on outings, and travelling, these AirTags can help. Here are details of AirTag use:

2.1 Dog Walking

In case you lose your dog while taking a walk, the AirTag will work best in the following conditions:

• Leashed Walks in Bustling Urban Parks/Neighborhoods: The chances are that there are a lot of devices around in urban parks. Every person's Apple device works like an antenna feeding you with your dog's location.

• Evening/Routine Strolls in Populated Suburban Areas: In such situations, your own device can track the dog AirTag on your dog with short-range alerts. Your own phone's Find My network can find the AirTag if it is 25-100 feet away. It is faster than a crowd-sourced protocol.

• Crowded Events or Markets: In crowded places, your dog may get lost. However, the high number of devices is likely to provide location information through crowd-sourcing.

• Short, Supervised Walks: In case the dog is stuck in a nearby place away from sight, but in close range, the UWB feature will guide you with directional arrows right to the dog's AirTag.

2.2 Short Outings

Taking your dog to a nearby location or a quick visit to a nearby dog-friendly event is also feasible as long as the following two conditions are met:

• High-Density Areas: AirTags are not designed for a dog that runs miles away. It is primarily meant to provide reliable and fast location access to track a dog when taken to dog-friendly cafes, beaches, or errands in busy districts, where crowd-sourced pings ensure spot checks.

• Short, Contained Events: Dog AirTags are ideal for playdates in fenced yards, vet visits, and community events in an urban setting.

3. Pros Of Using An Apple AirTag for Dogs

AirTags are very useful devices in urban settings. They provide peace of mind with a convenient dimension. To further understand if an AirTag is meant for your dog, consider the following advantages:

• No Subscriptions: An Apple AirTag is a sophisticated technology. However, it comes with a one-time cost between $25 and $35. It is much lower than any other GPS tracker that charges $50-300 initially for the device, then $5-10+ on a monthly subscription.

• Battery: The dog AirTag is a compact device. Therefore, it uses replaceable CR2032 coin cells. A single cell can last 6-12 months or up to 3 years. There is no need to recharge.

• Lightweight: A dog AirTag weighs around 11 grams and has a compact dimension of 1.26 inches. These do not limit the movement or daily activities of dogs, even if they are puppies.

• IP Ratings: Dog AirTags often come with IP67 water-resistant for rain/splashes. They do not require additional sealing accessories. They inherently provide complete protection against dust (as per 6 in IP rating) and work after water immersion up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes without damage.

• Convenient Apple Integration: Dog AirTag is easy to set up. A stable internet can help set up a dog AirTag in 5 minutes. You need the Find My app with iCloud and configure your AirTag. The steps are easy to follow, and the setup is unlike complicated GPS-based devices.

• Crowd-Sourcing: In areas with a lot of Apple devices, every device works as a search and rescue team. The process is called crowd-sourcing.

• Low Maintenance: There are no charging ports that can cause the device to become thick. Moreover, there is no complex upkeep, and the device works with rough play. These work for hard-wearing active dogs.

4. Cons Of Using An Apple AirTag for Dogs

While the Apple AirTags provide immense benefits, these devices are not suitable for every situation. Here are some reasons to consider before making the purchase decision.

• Limited Range: In close range, the device works excellently with UWB, whereas beyond 10-100 feet, direct access is not possible. There should be a nearby device in range for it to transmit its location. Therefore, these devices fail in rural, remote, or low-population areas with no updates or hours-long delays. These are totally ineffective for hikes or woods.

• No Real-Time Tracking: The dog AirTag works by providing information through a nearby device, which can take 15 minutes or longer. Therefore, the delay can be detrimental for fast-moving dogs.

• Apple Warnings: In case your dog is with a stranger, the dog's AirTag can make a beeping sound, which may notify others around, which can lead to its removal. It may also startle a sensitive dog.

• Risks to Dogs: If the dog's AirTag is not securely attached to the assembly, there is a risk that the dog will choke or swallow the AirTag. Lithium batteries are highly toxic, and their removal can be complicated and expensive.

• Attachment: In case poor holders may snag, drag, or be removed.

5. Conclusion

Dog AirTag is an excellent means for tracking your dog's location in urban places. However, it should be of high quality and must have the necessary features to avoid detachment or damage by the dog itself. The neat way Apple incorporates the encrypted location data sent through Apple devices makes the tags a great success.

If you are looking for a safe, comfortable, and stylish way to attach an AirTag to your dog, PureSpet offers premium dog AirTag collars and holders that are chew-resistant, lightweight, and fully adjustable. Visit PUREPETS dog airtags to explore the full collection and get your perfect Dog AirTag solution today.

FAQs

Q: Can I use AirTag to track my dog?

Yes, many owners use dog AirTags in cities. It works best as a backup with a secure collar holder. They utilize BLE, UWB, or NFC technologies to send information to owners.

Q: How long does the dog AirTag battery last?

A single replaceable CR2032 coin battery can last up to 1 year. The app will notify the owner if the battery is low.

Q: Can multiple family members track the same dog AirTag?

Yes, the owner can enable dog AirTag tracking by enabling Family Sharing in Find My network. You can allow up to 5 people on iOS 17+.

Q: How does dog AirTag differ from a GPS pet tracker?

AirTag uses crowd-sourced Bluetooth that requires no subscription or equipment fee. GPS uses satellite/cellular for live tracking anywhere, but requires a subscription and a higher initial cost.

Q: Are there any accessories to attach AirTag to a dog collar?

Yes, secure holders and collars from PureSpet are chew-resistant and comfortable. They ensure that the dog AirTag doesn't fall off.