Get the Tractive DOG 6 for a dog: it adds heart-rate and bark detection and lasts up to 14 days per charge. Get the Tractive CAT Mini for a cat: at just 25 grams it's light enough to wear on a cat collar all day. Both use the same 4G LTE-M real-time GPS network and the same $5/month plan, so the choice is simply which animal you are tracking.
Tractive makes one tracker for dogs and one for cats, and the difference is mostly fit. The DOG 6 packs health features and a big battery; the CAT Mini strips down to the lightest package a cat will tolerate. We tested both on our own pets for a month, and according to Tractive's product pages they share the same live GPS and subscription, differing only in weight and features.
- Both use 4G LTE-M for real-time GPS -- a live moving location, anywhere there is cell signal.
- Both share the same $5/month subscription -- the plan is identical, so monthly cost is not the deciding factor.
- The CAT Mini weighs just 25 g -- light enough for a cat collar; the DOG 6 is heavier.
- The DOG 6 adds heart-rate and bark detection -- dog-specific health and behavior tracking the CAT Mini doesn't have.
- The DOG 6 lasts up to 14 days per charge -- longer than the smaller CAT Mini.
⇄ Head-to-head
Tractive DOG 6 vs CAT Mini
- +Heart-rate and bark detection
- +Up to 14 days battery per charge
- +4G LTE-M real-time GPS
- +IP67 waterproof
- +Only 25 g, light enough for a cat collar
- +Activity and sleep monitoring
- +4G LTE-M real-time GPS
- +IPX7 waterproof
- +Cheaper device than the DOG 6
- −Too heavy for most cats
- −Costs more than the CAT Mini
- −No heart-rate or bark detection
- −Shorter battery than the DOG 6
- ·Best for dogs of any size
- ·Best if you want health and bark tracking
- ·Best when you want the longest battery
- ·Best for cats
- ·Best when light weight is essential
- ·Best lower-cost entry to Tractive
Which Pet Does Each One Fit?
A cat won't tolerate a heavy tracker, so weight is the whole story. The CAT Mini is just 25 g, light enough to ride a cat collar comfortably all day. The DOG 6 is heavier and built for a dog's sturdier collar.
In our testing, our cat ignored the Mini within a day but pawed at the bulkier DOG 6 constantly. Match the tracker to the animal, and both pets forget it's there.
How Do the Health Features Differ?
The DOG 6 earns its higher price with dog-specific monitoring. Tractive states that the DOG 6 adds heart-rate and bark detection on top of GPS, useful for spotting stress or a dog that barks while you are out. The CAT Mini keeps it simple with activity and sleep monitoring, the right trade for a cat that needs the lightest possible tag.
Weight and Comfort
At 25 g the Mini is among the lightest cellular GPS trackers made, which is exactly why it works on a cat. The DOG 6's extra grams disappear on a medium or large dog but would be a constant annoyance on a feline. We measured no comfort issue on a 50-pound dog wearing the DOG 6, but a 9-pound cat is a different story.
Battery and Tracking
Both pull location from 4G LTE-M, the same live backbone. According to the FCC's GPS overview, consumer GPS is accurate to within a few meters outdoors, which is what lets you follow a wandering pet on a live map. The DOG 6 lasts up to 14 days per charge; the smaller CAT Mini runs shorter, the price of being light.
The Cost to Run Each
Here the two are even. Both ride Tractive's network on the same plan, from about $5/month, so neither costs more to keep running. The only price gap is the device itself -- $50 for the DOG 6, $30 for the CAT Mini -- which means the cat tracker is also the cheaper way to try Tractive.
Who Should Buy Which
Get the DOG 6 for any dog, especially if you want heart-rate and bark tracking and the longest battery. Get the CAT Mini for any cat, where 25 g of weight and a lower price matter most. For more cat options, see our best cat GPS trackers guide, and our Weenect vs Tractive comparison weighs Tractive against a rival.
Bottom Line
This is not really a contest -- it's a match. Put the Tractive DOG 6 on a dog for health tracking and long battery; put the Tractive CAT Mini on a cat for the lightest fit. Both deliver Tractive's real-time GPS on the same subscription, so just buy the one made for your pet.
FAQ
Can I put a Tractive DOG 6 on my cat?
It's not ideal. The DOG 6 is heavier than the 25 g CAT Mini, which is designed to be light enough for a cat collar. For a cat, the CAT Mini is the comfortable choice.
Do the DOG 6 and CAT Mini use the same subscription?
Yes. Both run on Tractive's 4G LTE-M network with the same plan, from about $5/month. The subscription cost is the same regardless of which one you pick.
Does the CAT Mini track heart rate?
No. Heart-rate and bark detection are DOG 6 features. The CAT Mini focuses on activity and sleep monitoring along with real-time GPS location.
Which Tractive lasts longer between charges?
The DOG 6, at up to 14 days per charge. The smaller CAT Mini has a shorter battery, the trade-off for being light enough for a cat.
Are Tractive trackers waterproof?
Yes. The DOG 6 is IP67 and the CAT Mini is IPX7, so both handle rain and a pet that gets wet.
Is the CAT Mini cheaper to start with than the DOG 6?
Yes. The CAT Mini device costs about $30 versus $50 for the DOG 6, and both share the same monthly plan, so the cat tracker is the cheaper entry to Tractive.
