Bluetooth Collars for Cats: A Smart Way to Track your Cats without a GPS
Bluetooth technology has revolutionized the way in which we interface with daily life. From wireless speakers and headsets to a wide variety of office essentials such as printers and keyboards, Bluetooth technology has become a central part of our modern way of living, offering unmatched ease of connectivity between different technologies. However, the application of Bluetooth technology extends far beyond human use. Bluetooth technology is increasingly becoming an integral part of the pet care industry, especially in relation to cat products and services. This article will go over what Bluetooth is, how it can be used for pets and what some of the positive elements are of Bluetooth technology.
1. What is Bluetooth? And How Does it Work?
Invented in the late 1990s, Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows paired devices to transmit data and interface across short distances. Although initially designed for wireless headsets and headphones, the technology was quickly adopted by various companies for short-range device-to-device communications. This differentiates it from other wireless technologies that also use radio waves, such as Wi-Fi, which can cover larger areas and can transmit large amounts of data. Bluetooth devices establish short-range networks through connections called piconets, that allow two devices to directly interface with each other. Presently, Bluetooth is used in a variety of different ways, and most people don’t even recognize that it is being used.
2. Can Bluetooth Technology be used in Cat Collars?
Even though Bluetooth technology has existed for decades at this point, creative hardware engineers are coming up with new and innovative ways to use the technology. Bluetooth has entered the pet industry, primarily through Internet of Things (IoT) integration into SMART collars for cats and dogs. These SMART collars will transmit data to an app on a pet owner's phone, allowing them to receive information concerning their pets such as real-time tracking information over short distances. Because IoT products tend to interface directly with other devices, this makes them ideal for Bluetooth integration, compared to Wi-Fi. As such, Bluetooth technology has become the preferred technology in the SMART collars of cat owners.
3. What are the Positives of using Bluetooth Technology in SMART Cat Collars?
Because Bluetooth technology directly interfaces with connected devices, it presents numerous advantages for application in pet care appliances such as cat collars. Here are just some of the reasons.
- Direct interfacing for constant updates
As mentioned previously, Bluetooth technology will pair with nearby technologies to transmit various types of data. This means that Bluetooth technology can send direct updates on a cat’s activities from the cat collar to a smartphone or computer when in range. Moreover, by using additional devices such as Purrsong’s LavvieScanner, owners can receive updates on their cat’s activities even when outside of a smartphone’s standard Bluetooth range.
- Healthcare monitoring and tracking
Bluetooth technology allows owners to receive constant updates on their cat’s condition. This includes aspects such as their health, diet and sleep patterns. Moreover, while Bluetooth technology does not have the same range as a GPS, it allows to know where there cat is within the range of Bluetooth devices. This Bluetooth functionality makes it ideal for tracking a cat in urban areas, where the number of Bluetooth devices is high.
- Convenience and Comfort
Cats are known to be fickle creatures, prone to becoming easily unsettled or distressed. Therefore it is important for cats to have collars that rest easily on the neck and are not too heavy. Large GPS cat collars can often cause discomfort for this reason. By contrast the relatively lightweight nature of Bluetooth collars for cats, coupled with their efficient battery usage, makes it a perfect fit for a cat collar. Purrsong’s own LavvieTag weighs less than five grams (5g), making it ideal for cats to wear.
- Cost
GPS trackers can often be quite expensive, due to the fact that they can monitor a pet’s location over vast distances using satellite technology. This advanced capability requires more expensive hardware and software, as well as access to global positioning systems. Moreover, GPS technology does not come with the additional health monitoring benefits that products such as Purrsong’s LavvieTag include. While GPS tracking offers broader coverage, it is sometimes impractical, especially in an urban environment, where Bluetooth technology is all around. Bluetooth cat collars are ideal for urban living situations, allowing for short-range tracking solutions while still being affordable.
- Battery Life
Because Bluetooth technology is relatively simple and does not transmit as much data as GPS tracking systems and Wi-Fi based technologies, it is well-known for having a high battery life. This efficiency stems from Bluetooth's design, which focuses on low-energy consumption while maintaining effective communication between devices. Purrsong’s own LavvieTag has a 30-day battery life. This attribute makes Bluetooth-based devices like LavvieTag extremely user-friendly, ensuring continuous monitoring without the hassle of constant recharging.
4. Conclusion
Technologies such as Bluetooth have been around for decades, and electronics manufacturers have been able to constantly tune and refine them for specific purposes. Bluetooth technology in cat tracking collars represents a significant advancement in pet care, combining convenience with functionality. IoT cat collars that utilize Bluetooth technology have an extended battery life and while they may not be as effective at tracking cats as a GPS, they make up for it through monitoring a cat’s health and daily activities. The integration of Bluetooth technology in cat collars underscores a broader trend of leveraging technology to enhance the bond between pets and their owners. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative solutions aimed at improving the lives of pets and their owners, with Bluetooth technology playing a key role in this ongoing transformation.
If you would like to learn more about Purrsong’s LavvieTag as well as other PurrSong products, click here.
