FitBark Product Review
FitBark, a renowned pet technology company, makes pet owners aware of its exceptional status and innovative products that help monitor and improve their pets’ health and activity levels. I couldn’t review a better product than this, especially when combined with the features of our Pawrpose app.
Innovative pet tech company FitBark has a reputation which specializes on aiding pet owners in monitoring their pets’ health and wellbeing. The brand is mostly known for its dog products. However, the FitBark GPS Activity Tracker does work seamlessly for cats too, offering unique insights into their daily activity, sleep patterns, and current location. We took this device for a spin with our occasionally mischievous cat, and here’s our take on whether it’s worth the investment.
Fitting the Bark App (in this case for Cats) in the Feline World
Once you purchase the FitBark GPS tracker, the setup process is quite easy. In the box, there is the device with a charger tucked neatly in, two protective covers, and zip ties to attach the tracker to your cat’s collar. The accompanying instruction manual is pretty straightforward. In the app, you will be required to do the following:
- Charge the device for two hours.
- Download the FitBark app.
- Make an account on the FitBark app where you set a profile for your cat by entering their breed, weight, and age.
- Set up a sync between your other devices like Apple Watch, Fitbit, or Google Fit to track their health data against your cat’s.
The app comes with social functionalities which allow you to add other pet owners into your circle or find new “friends” around you, thus forming a virtual pet community to motivate and share insights with each other.
Lightweight Design Ideal for Your Pet
At only 16 grams, the FitBark GPS is one of the lightest dog trackers on the market, making it one of the most cat-friendly trackers too. It is sleek enough for cats of all sizes, including kittens, to wear it comfortably without irritation. The tracker is fixed to the cat’s collar with two zip ties which can be easily peeled off and replaced with a small bone shaped cover which protects the collar from scratches and adds a touch of flair. While the cat collar holder design firmly keeps the device in position, the collar many need to be cut apart and reapplied with zip ties if they frequently change collars.
Comprehensive Health Monitoring: Strongest Benefit for Dog Owners
FitBark’s standout feature is its health monitoring, tracking metrics like sleep quality, calorie burn, and activity levels. This feature is helpful for cats, but it’s particularly robust for dogs who generally engage in more structured activities, such as walking, running, or playing fetch. FitBark uses a point-based system called BarkPoints to score activity, with categories for resting, active, and play.
The device calculates a Health Index and Sleep Score based on typical activity for your pet’s breed, weight, and age. For dogs, these metrics are incredibly helpful for tracking daily exercise, weight management, and identifying changes in behavior. In our experience, the FitBark app was better equipped to track and report health trends for dogs than for cats, whose activity patterns are often more subtle.
Thorough Health Tracking: Most Useful for Pet Owners with Dogs.
Among other features offered by FitBark, health monitoring which includes tracking sleep quality, calories burned, and active levels is one of the most popular, especially among dog owners. This feature is beneficial for cats, but it is more sophisticated for dogs as they are comparatively more active and take part in more routine exercises like walks, running, or playing fetch. Activity is scored with a point-based system termed BarkPoints with resting, active, and play categories.
The device analyzes a pet’s breed, age, and weight to calculate a Health Index and Sleep Score. For dogs, these metrics are critical in assessing daily exercise, helping to manage weight, and noticing behavioral changes. Based on our experience, the reporting and tracking of health-related trends was more suitable for dogs than cats, who tend to have more discreet activity patterns.
Battery Life: Long-Lasting but Variable
FitBark lists the battery life of up to five weeks, but actual performance will depend on the device’s WiFi and Bluetooth connection. In areas with poor reception, the device can deplete its charge quicker as it continually attempts to reconnect. We found that battery life was just about a week, given that our rural location provided limited connectivity. However, the reported battery life may indeed be far greater in urban locations where robust WiFi and cell signals are available.
Subscription Tiers and Their Respective Pricing
Real-time GPS tracking and health monitoring services require a subscription, with the most economical option being 5.95permonthoverthreeyears,oronamonth−to−monthbasisat9.95 per month. For users more interested in health metrics without the need for GPS tracking, the FitBark 2 Health Monitor (sans GPS) is an excellent, economically priced, no-subscription alternative. This may be a reasonable option for cat owners who want to track health data but not location tracking.
Conclusion: Primarily for Dogs, Functional for Cats
The FitBark GPS Activity Tracker provides some unique functionalities for cat owners, such as health and activity tracking and optional GPS tracking. Still, it is best suited for dog owners as that is the purpose of the device and where dogs get the most value out of it. The device’s GPS tracking and health monitoring features are good additions for dog owners who wish to monitor their pets’ daily activities, ensure their fitness, monitor health, or prevent them from wandering off.
Most Useful for Dogs:
Dogs who engage in outdoor activities with the need for GPS monitoring Pet owners who prefer comprehensive tracking of activities and health Dog parents in search of a lightweight sturdy GPS and activity tracker for outdoor activities requires effective outdoor equipment
Usable But Less Ideal for Cats:
Cats that can benefit from occasional GPS monitoring whilst roaming outdoors Mainly focused on health and activity monitoring without excessive GPS reliance
In conclusion, the FitBark can be utilized for cats, however, a dog owner will derive the maximum benefit from this device. For dog owners, we highly recommend the FitBark GPS due to its robust tracking features, user-friendly application, and powerful health insights.
