As a loving dog parent, keeping tabs on your furry friend is a top priority. Air Tag collars provide a convenient way to track your pup‘s location using Apple‘s coin-sized Bluetooth trackers.
While Air Tags were designed to find lost items like keys, they can also be useful for monitoring your pet‘s whereabouts when attached to their collar. However, it‘s important to understand Air Tags have limitations – they rely on proximity to Apple devices to work, only connect via Bluetooth up to 800 feet away, and lack GPS.
We‘ve researched the top-rated Air Tag collars and holders specifically made for dogs. Here are our picks for the 5 best options:
Best Overall: Case-Mate AirTag Dog Collar Holder
Case-Mate AirTag Dog Collar Holder
The Case-Mate AirTag holder stretches to securely clip onto your existing dog collar while keeping the tracker in place. It‘s water resistant and available in glow-in-the-dark colors for extra visibility at night when adventure-seeking pups tend to roam.
Key Features:
- Fits up to 1 inch wide collars
- Glows in the dark
- Water resistant silicone
- Scratch resistant outer shell
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Best Reflective: FEEYAR Padded AirTag Dog Collar
FEEYAR Padded AirTag Dog Collar
The FEEYAR adjustable collar has reflective edges so you can easily spot your pup when visibility is poor. Its durable nylon exterior and soft neoprene lining provide comfort while securing the AirTag case.
Key Features:
- 360° nighttime reflectivity
- Water resistant
- Adjusts 14 to 20 inches
- AirTag case integrated into collar
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Most Versatile: Spigen ComforTag
The ComforTag case uses rubber bands to securely adhere the AirTag anywhere on your dog‘s 1 to 1.5 inch wide collar. Its flexible TPU material protects against scratches, while staying slim and lightweight.
Key Features:
- Rubber bands to attach case
- Adhesive film keeps AirTag in place
- Glossy scratch-resistant TPU
- Fits various collar widths and styles
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Best Leather: Keepaws Leather AirTag Collar
This adjustable, waterproof leather collar discreetly holds the AirTag tracker within a slot that closes securely with a button snap. Its elegant look matches any breed while the breathable material stays comfy.
Key Features:
- Genuine leather
- Fully waterproof
- Engraveable ID tag included
- 5 sizes from extra-small up to large
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Best Loop Holder: WAIRCO AirTag Holder
This WAIRCO loop snaps securely around any collar with foldable tabs. Its heavy-duty outer shell protects the tracker from your pup‘s daily activities while lying flat for comfort.
Key Features:
- Strong snap closure
- Industrial grade shell
- Fits all collar types
- Waterproof and dustproof
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How to Choose the Best AirTag Collar for Your Dog
Picking out the right AirTag accessory for your pup involves a few key considerations.
Comfort: Avoid bulky collars or cases in favor of a streamlined, lightweight design that won‘t irritate your dog‘s neck during daily activity. Breathable, soft materials are ideal.
Security: The tracker must stay firmly in place so opt for an enclosure that snaps, buttons or uses an adhesive film strip to prevent the AirTag from jostling free.
Durability: Select waterproof, scratch-resistant materials able to withstand exposure to the elements, sand, dirt and all of the rambunctious play that‘s part of a dog‘s everyday life.
You‘ll also want to measure your pet‘s unique collar size rather than rely strictly on their "small, medium or large" breed categorization when picking the perfect adjustable fit.
What To Know Before Using an AirTag Collar
While AirTags do provide benefits for keeping tabs on pooches, it‘s key to understand their distinct disadvantages versus other pet tracking options before relying solely on an AirTag collar.
Limited Range: AirTags only connect to iPhones within an 800 foot Bluetooth range, restricting monitorable distance. They lack built-in GPS, cellular or satellite components common in dedicated lost pet trackers. So functionality depends on proximity to Apple devices with data connections to relay coordinates.
Location Gaps: Tracking won‘t work well in rural areas without iPhone traffic to detect its presence. AirTags also only link to one owner‘s Apple ID, preventing updates for other family members.
Not Officially For Pets: Apple doesn‘t market AirTags for monitoring people or pets – instead their intended use is finding lost items like keys. So the "Find My" network isn‘t optimized for pet tracking the way Whistle, Fi or other animal-focused options are.
How Do AirTag Dog Collars Perform for Tracking Pets?
AirTag collars offer easy visibility into a pet‘s location within your home or neighborhood provided Bluetooth range or Apple device density allow. The 800 foot maximum Bluetooth connectivity severely limits their scope for wayfaring dogs compared to LTE-capable alternatives.
You can set up separation alerts to notify you when your pup wanders beyond recognizable boundaries. However, relied upon exclusively, AirTags may miss providing updates on whereabouts if your dog ventures too far afield. They‘re best used in conjunction with microchips or more dedicated lost pet trackers rather than solely depended upon.
Within limitations, though, AirTags do furnish dog parents helpful insights like hiding spots in the house, trails meandered on and frequently visited neighborhood points of interest through convenience of iPhone integration. Just recognize their coverage tradeoffs compared to products engineered expressly for animal monitoring when selecting a singular tracking approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can AirTags be used to track pets?
Yes, AirTags can provide information about a pet‘s location but have significant range and functionality limits compared to GPS pet trackers. AirTags rely on proximity to Apple devices with data connections instead of cellular or satellite networks.
Are AirTags waterproof?
AirTags have IP67 water and dust resistance ratings meaning they can be submerged for up to 30 minutes at depths down to one meter.
Do I need an iPhone to use an AirTag pet collar?
AirTags only work with iPhones (iOS 14.5 or higher) and not Android devices. An iPhone is required both to set up the paired AirTag and view location information through the Find My app. Family sharing does allow location info visibility across multiple iPhones.
What‘s the difference between an AirTag and GPS pet tracker?
Dedicated GPS pet trackers use cellular and satellite connectivity to provide unlimited range for tracking lost dogs. This allows monitoring anywhere with data coverage. AirTags instead have a maximum 800 foot Bluetooth leash and their location visibility depends on proximity to Apple devices with data connections to relay the tracker‘s whereabouts.
Do these collars come with the actual AirTag tracker?
No – you have to separately purchase Apple AirTags to use with these companion collar holders and cases. The models recommended here are specifically designed to securely contain the AirTag you supply.
Relying solely on AirTags to monitor wandering-prone pups has definite limitations compared to LTE GPS pet trackers. But as an affordable secondary tracking option, AirTag collars integrate nicely with iPhones to provide dog parents useful location insights balanced by connectivity tradeoffs.
Have you tried using an AirTag with your dog? What collar holder did you choose and how well did it work when your pet roamed off leash? Share your experiences below!
