GPS implant for dogs a persistent myth The myth of the GPS implant for dogs is still going strong… The rumor of its existence has been circulating on the internet for years, and some unreliable sites even go so far as to claim that veterinarians offer the installation of a subcutaneous GPS chip for prices ranging from 50 to 200 euros!
The idea of a GPS implant for dogs is so deeply rooted in people’s minds because there’s confusion with another type of implant that actually exists, and is even widespread: the microchip. This is used to identify our faithful companions—but also other animals, such as cats or horses, for example. However, the technology behind the identification chip is very different from that used by GPS trackers. And combining them presents a real challenge, which today seems difficult to overcome.
The dog microchip is not a GPS implant. In France, pet identification is mandatory; this must be done before the age of 4 months for a dog. This involves assigning a unique number through a dedicated organization, the I-CAD, which provides access to all useful information: the animal’s name, date of birth, owner’s contact details, and medical monitoring.
Historically, identification was achieved through a tattoo, placed inside the ear. But since 2011, the practice has shifted to the implantation of a microchip. This small implant is barely larger than a grain of rice and is inserted under the dog’s skin, either on the neck or between the shoulder blades.
However, it’s important to remember that a dog’s microchip only contains its identification number, and nothing more. The device itself is completely inert. Its operation is based on RFID ( Radio Frequency Identification ) technology, similar to contactless payment. In practice, this RFID chip is activated only by radio waves emitted by a specific reader, and it can then transmit its 15-digit code to the reader.
The animal must therefore be physically present to be able to scan its chip; this cannot be consulted remotely, and does not allow your canine to be geolocated in the event of loss. Clearly, this is in no way a GPS tracker for a dog .
Implanting a subcutaneous GPS chip insoluble constraints Since we can implant microchips to identify our pets, why not do the same with a GPS tracker? Unfortunately, things aren’t as easy as they seem. Currently, there are several technological constraints that are difficult to overcome.
The first problem lies in the size of this hypothetical GPS chip, which relies on technology that is far more complex and sophisticated than that of the electronic identification chip. It should be remembered that GPS guidance is carried out via satellite and requires the use of multiple components (GPS antenna, GSM module, SIM card, battery) to function. All these hardware elements could not fit into an implant the size of a grain of rice.
For example, the Tractive brand dog GPS – one of the most compact products on the market – still measures 72 x 29 x 16 millimeters, and weighs around 30 grams. To get a sense of these dimensions, you can refer to the image below:
Can you really imagine that such a device could be installed under a dog’s skin without it suffering or experiencing health problems? And even if it is possible to miniaturize the tracker’s electronics, the problem remains for its battery, which, below a certain size, would only have a few hours of autonomy . And this is the second major obstacle to the development of a GPS implant for dogs. Unlike a microchip, which is completely passive and only works in the presence of an RFID reader, a GPS tracker must be constantly supplied with energy. However, it is not feasible to recharge a device implanted under the skin of an animal 2 or 3 times a week. This would be very restrictive, in addition to being currently physically impossible.
Even more annoying, the lifespan of a battery is limited over time (you must have already had a bitter experience with a smartphone or a laptop). It would therefore have to be replaced after a few years, and your dog would have to undergo another operation, at the cost of additional costs for you, its owner.
But then, is it definitely impossible to consider a GPS implant for dogs? As with everything in life, you should never say “never”: some technologies in our daily lives would have been unimaginable a few years ago. But as things stand, the very idea of a GPS tracker placed under the skin is a real pipe dream, and will not be conceivable for a long time.
The best alternative right now the GPS dog collar So what is the alternative for owners wishing to geolocate their faithful companion? Currently, the most logical and safest solution is the dog GPS. This is a small box to attach to a collar or harnes . This device contains a GPS geolocation beacon, accompanied by a transmitter to transmit its position to a server. You can thus consult the position of your pet directly on your smartphone, via a dedicated mobile application. The signal is updated at regular intervals, which allows for real-time tracking.
In addition to tracking your dog’s movements, GPS trackers generally have additional features. Most allow you to send an alert when your dog leaves a safe zone, and some, like the Tractive dog GPS (see our Tractive review ), even provide you with various data related to your dog’s activity and physical health (distance traveled, calories burned, etc.).
To withstand any eventuality, GPS devices are most often IP67 certified for perfect waterproofing. They are also relatively light and compact (between 25 and 35 grams), so as not to disturb your pet’s daily routine. Despite this compact size, the onboard battery offers a battery life of 2 to 5 days, depending on the position update frequency. And unlike hypothetical GPS implants, recharging is of course possible, and hardly more restrictive than recharging your smartphone.
Note that there is another alternative to GPS trackers: the AirTag for dogs .Indeed, since spring 2021, Apple has been marketing a tracking device that can be attached to a dog collar. The big advantage of this solution lies in the battery life, estimated at around one year. However, geolocation is not based on GPS technology, but on Bluetooth, coupled with the Find My community network (the AirTag must be near an Apple device to transmit its position). It is therefore not possible to have real-time activity tracking with this location tag, which can complicate searches in the event of the animal going missing.
Your dog’s health is priceless, but it can cost you dearly
Vaccinations, annual checkups, illnesses, or accidents… there are many reasons to visit the vet, and the French spend an average of €211/year on medical expenses for their dogs. But the bill can quickly escalate in the event of a serious problem: surgery, for example, often costs more than €1,000. Fortunately, there are insurance companies that can cover these health expenses.
