A growing number of Amazon customers are turning to a small Apple device to track their pets, though there are concerns it might not be completely safe.
Whether your Beagle is exceptionally obedient or your kitten rarely ventures beyond the backyard, animals have a natural urge to explore.
It’s challenging to keep a constant watch on your pets, leading to situations where they might wander off.
To prevent their furry companions from straying, some pet owners have opted for a compact Apple gadget that assists in tracking them.
The solution? The Apple AirTag, available on Amazon.
Launched by Apple in 2021, the AirTag is intended for tracking personal belongings like keys and wallets. It works by emitting a secure Bluetooth signal that can be picked up by devices in the ‘Find My’ network.
When an AirTag is nearby, Precision Finding uses Ultra Wideband technology to provide visual, haptic, and audio guidance.
Pet owners are now utilizing this device to monitor their pets’ locations. More details below.
Numerous Amazon reviewers have shared how attaching an AirTag to their dog’s collar has enabled them to track their movements precisely.
“Used along with a waterproof holder to keep track of our escape artist dog. Totally clipped his wings,” one reviewer noted.
Another commented: “I bought this to attach to a collar for my kitten. I’m really impressed, it’s helped me track him down multiple times already!”
Someone else mentioned: “I have one on my dog’s collar, one in my purse, and one in my car.”
“Great. I use it for my dog to see where she is, but it’s not very fast and precise, so sometimes it doesn’t work very well,” another buyer mentioned. “Works in the city. I think will use for my bag when travelling, too.”
Currently, Amazon is offering a 29 percent discount on a single Apple AirTag.
Prime members can take advantage of same-day and overnight delivery. Sign up for a 30-day trial here.
If you require more than one, the device is also sold in packs of two, three, or four.
Kianne Drance, Apple’s VP of iPhone Marketing, has previously emphasized that the AirTag is not specifically designed for pet tracking.
In a discussion with FastCompany, Drance didn’t claim it was unsafe to use the device for this purpose but did indicate it could be challenging to use effectively.
The AirTag requires proximity to a device in the ‘Find My’ network to function, which could be problematic if the pet moves out of range.
Dr Shannon Vawter, medical director and veterinarian at Thrive Pet Healthcare Wedgewood, also warns of potential health risks.
She told CNET that attaching one of these Bluetooth devices to a pet could pose serious health risks if ingested.
Swallowing the AirTag could lead to battery corrosion, which can cause severe internal injuries.
In a 2023 article for the Wall Street Journal, Ann Hohenhaus, senior veterinarian at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York, detailed the steps to take if a pet ingests an AirTag.
“You want to get the AirTag out as quickly as possible,” she advised. “Pronto.” Find more information on how to safely use an Apple AirTag here.
Purchase your AirTag through Amazon now.