Using AirTag On Cats

As you know, cats are known for their free spirits and curious nature, often driven by a desire to escape. At least, my cats are like that, especially Lola. Lola, who has had several unsuccessful escape attempts and two successful ones, surprised us the most when she broke out of her carrier on the way to her spaying surgery, causing us great distress. Due to these experiences, I am always anxious every time we leave the house. We have tried many methods to minimize the risk of our cats getting lost and to keep them safe. One of the recently popular methods is using Apple's AirTag. In this article, I will discuss how AirTag works, how it can be used on cats, and the advantages and disadvantages of this method..

AirTag

What is AirTag and How Does It Work?

Apple AirTag is a small and lightweight tracking device. Although its size is small, I don’t think there's a risk of cats swallowing it. Designed to work with Apple’s Find My app, it helps you easily locate your lost items or, in our case, pets. AirTag operates using Bluetooth technology and communicates its location via nearby iPhones. This feature makes it easier to find lost items or pets within the city due to the wide user network. AirTag runs on a replaceable CR2032 button cell battery, which lasts about a year under normal usage conditions. When the battery starts to run low, it sends a notification to your iPhone, allowing you to replace it in time. Changing the battery is quite easy and does not require any technical knowledge.

Using AirTag on Cats

There are specially designed collars to attach AirTag to a cat’s neck. Besides collars that come as a whole, there are also attachments that allow you to add AirTag to the collars your cat is already using. We chose a silicone type of attachment and added it to the collars they were already wearing. Both types of collars aim to securely fasten the AirTag and reduce the risk of your cats getting lost. However, it's worth considering some limitations and possible discomforts for cats.

AirTag and Silicone Collar Attachment

Location Tracking: In urban areas, the presence of many iPhones around allows you to pinpoint your cat's location quite accurately. If your cat escapes, its location can be quickly detected through nearby iPhones. However, this may not be the case in uninhabited areas or during long road trips. In such scenarios, the functionality of AirTag significantly decreases due to the lack of nearby iPhones.

Collar Comfort: AirTag collars can be comfortably used during travels or when your cat is spending time outside. However, I must mention that these collars are not very comfortable for cats. These collars, which are somewhat large for cats' necks, are not very suitable for continuous use. For your cat's comfort and health, I think it’s better to use such collars only when necessary.

AirTag Silicone Collar Attachment

Safety Measure: AirTag can be considered an additional safety measure against the risk of your cat getting lost. Especially during travels or situations where your cat’s risk of escaping is high, using AirTag can be beneficial. However, keeping this device constantly on your cat’s neck does not seem very feasible from a comfort perspective.

Lola and her AirTag

Conclusion

Since Lola and Loki are not cats that freely roam outside or come and go as they please, I prefer to use the product as a precaution during vet visits or when we need to go somewhere, to guard against potential accidents (escaping from the carrier, traffic accidents, etc.). If you have cats that go outside, I think it is a product you can consider to track them when they are out. Our cats’ safety is paramount, and AirTag could be an effective solution against the risk of getting lost. Especially in the city, using AirTag to determine our cats’ location and find them quickly appears to be quite advantageous. However, it’s evident that there are some challenges and discomforts in uninhabited areas and with continuous use. Ultimately, the decision to attach an AirTag to your cat’s collar is entirely up to you. By prioritizing your cat’s comfort and safety, you can consider this device as a temporary measure. Knowing that Lola and Loki are wearing their AirTags during car rides and vet visits gives me a small sense of security, and I prefer to use them. From this perspective, if you have the opportunity, I would recommend this product.

Note: The product reviews shared on this page are solely based on products I have purchased with my own money. I do not receive any advertisements or promotional products from companies or brands. All opinions and evaluations are based on my personal experiences.