The connected canine traveler
Today, your smartphone can locate your dog in real time, find an emergency vet in 30 seconds, store their health documents and plan a 100% dog-friendly route. You just need to know which tools are worth it. This guide presents the essentials, tested and approved.
Tool categories
GPS tracker comparison
The GPS tracker is the most useful tool while traveling. In case of escape or losing your dog, it makes the difference between a few minutes of anxiety and days of searching.
| Tracker | Range | Subscription | Battery | Waterproof | Geofencing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple AirTag | Apple network | 0 € | 1 year | IP67 | No | 35 € |
| Tractive GPS | Unlimited (4G) | 5 €/month | 2-5 days | IPX7 | Yes | 50 € + sub |
| Weenect Dogs | Unlimited (4G) | 4 €/month | 3-7 days | IP67 | Yes | 45 € + sub |
| Fi Series 3 | Unlimited (LTE) | 8 €/month | Up to 3 months | IP68 | Yes | 120 € + sub |
Preparing your smartphone
In dead zones, your apps don't work. Download offline maps (Google Maps, Komoot). Save important addresses in favorites.
Activate it, define safety zones (geofencing), configure push alerts. Test before departure.
Photograph health record, vaccines, passport, insurance, prescriptions. Store in cloud accessible offline.
Save: treating vet, on-call vet at destination, 24h emergencies, poison control center (01 48 93 13 00).
Share your position in real time between adults in the group. Activate GPS tracker sharing so everyone can follow the dog.
- Find places — VoyagerAvecSonChien.fr (200,000+ places in France, free, DATAtourisme data), BringFido (international), Dog's Places (Europe, community).
- Health — Carnet Véto (official digital record), PetLéo (vaccine reminders + vet appointments).
- Routes — Komoot (hiking, free), AllTrails (community, premium 30 €/year), Park4Night (van/RV), Google Maps (versatile, offline).
- Emergencies — Urgences Vétos (geolocated on-call vet), SOS Véto (phone hotline).
Tractive lasts 2-5 days in normal mode, but in LIVE tracking battery life drops to less than 24h. Bring a power bank. Fi Series 3 offers up to 3 months in economy mode. AirTag (1 year battery) doesn't have this problem but its range is limited in rural areas.
To find dog-friendly places, combine three approaches: specialized databases like VoyagerAvecSonChien.fr (the most complete for France with 200,000+ places), community apps (BringFido, Dog's Places) for reviews, and Google Maps for routes. Ideal: VoyagerAvecSonChien.fr to identify, community apps for user feedback, and Maps to navigate.
The best tool for traveling with your dog remains your common sense — but technology helps.
— Universal advice from canine travelersDigital travel kit
For physical equipment, our equipment guide. If your dog gets lost despite the tracker, our lost dog guide. And for identification, our chip and passport guide.
Frequently asked questions
AirTag or Tractive: which to choose?
AirTag: 0 €/month, 1 year battery, small. But depends on Apple network — excellent in city, weak in countryside. Tractive: 5 €/month, 2-5 day battery, bigger. Real GPS via 4G, works everywhere with cellular network, geofencing, alerts. For travel: Tractive. Daily in city: AirTag.
Do apps work offline?
Google Maps: offline maps (excellent). Komoot/AllTrails: offline routes (premium for AllTrails). BringFido: connection needed — take screenshots. GPS trackers: need 4G to transmit. Without network, the route is recorded then transmitted upon return to covered area.
Does a digital health record have legal value?
No. The paper record remains official. Digital is a practical backup: vaccine photos, history, automatic reminders. The European passport cannot be replaced by a digital version.
Is a subscription necessary for a GPS tracker?
For Tractive, Weenect, Fi: yes (integrated SIM card, 3.50-8 €/month). Without subscription = no location. Exception: AirTag works without subscription via Apple network. Viable alternative in urban areas.
