AirTags for Cats: Do They Work on Cat Collars? A Cat Mum's Personal Review

July 26, 2024

Written by I, Steph, the hands behind Jensons. All opinions are mine based on my personal experiences using AirTags on the collars of my two young fur babies.

The period of time trialing the AirTags was 9 months as of 26/07/2024 and yes, they are still very much wearing their AirTags! As you'll discover as you read on, they were a game changer for me and my cats. This blog will delve into questions about AirTags for cats, aiming to answer your queries in simple terms and provide a firsthand account of using AirTags for cats.

AirTags for Cats: Everything You Need to Know

As any cat parent knows, allowing your kitty to explore outside can be a daunting decision. If you’re considering letting your fur babies roam free, the pros and cons of this choice are a whole different discussion. For me, it wasn't a straightforward decision, and it wasn't entirely within my control, so to speak.

Jenson, my boy cat, was determined to adventure from the moment he turned six months old. His urge to explore was so strong that he would leap at any chance to slip through an open window. Imagine trying to grab a cat from a first-floor window; it’s quite stressful! And we're not talking about large windows that open wide; Jenson figured out how to do a pull-up on the top windows and drag himself up. Whether he would actually take the leap is up for debate, but I wasn’t willing to take that risk.

On the other hand, my girl cat, Buttons, wasn’t as much of an escape artist and was naturally a shy girl. But she was still eager to follow in her brother’s footsteps. Her curiosity about the outside world was definitely growing. So, to summarise, as with anything when it comes to cats, they had their own way. They were to be outdoor cats, and they were to come and go as they pleased through the little cat flap we had fitted.

AirTags for Cats: Research Stage Commenced

Naturally, I turned to Google to research everything related to AirTags for cats. I needed to know how I could keep tabs on my little pickles while they were off on their adventures. As a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady, I worry a lot about my babies, and I was looking for something that offered reassurance that I would be able to locate them if they wandered too far and couldn't find their way home or climbed a tree and got stuck (which was a weekly occurrence during Jenson's kitten years). I was searching for exactly what I’ll be sharing in this ‘mew-sing’: a real review from a real cat parent who had trialled and tested an AirTag on their cat's collar, or any other tracking device for that matter. I was soon to find out that there were a whole host of devices with various features and varying pricing levels—what a minefield! But let’s focus on AirTags.

Here's everything I’ve found out regarding AirTags for cats, in simple terms…

What are AirTags, and How do They Work?

AirTags are small, coin-sized devices designed to help you keep track of things like keys and bags. They use Bluetooth to connect to nearby Apple devices, such as iPhones or iPads. When you lose something with an AirTag on it, you can use the "Find My" app on your Apple device to see its last known location on a map. If the AirTag is nearby, the app can play a sound to help you find it. If it’s far away, it uses a network of other Apple devices to help locate it. The penny dropped when people started thinking, “Hang on a minute, this might work on my cat or dog”.

So, to put it simply, an AirTag attached to your cat’s collar will only be able to share its location with you if it’s in range of another Apple device, such as an iPhone or iPad. The distance between the Apple device and your cat’s AirTag is roughly 10 to 15 metres. Although it’s not quite that black and white, let’s explore that next.

One thing to note that causes a lot of confusion for cat parents looking into AirTags for cats is that AirTags do not offer GPS tracking. Oh, how I wish they did! If you want to track your cat in real time, there are various subscription services that offer this capability. However, the downside is that you will need to fit your cat with a fairly large device to track them effectively. I have everything crossed that a fingernail-sized, lightweight device will be developed soon, so we can attach it to our kitties' collars. Amongst the cat parent community, that would sell out in a flash!

How Far Can an AirTag Pick Up a Bluetooth Signal?

An AirTag can pick up a Bluetooth signal from about 10 to 15 metres away under ideal conditions. This range can be affected by obstacles like walls or furniture. If the AirTag is out of range of your device, it can still be located using the network of other nearby Apple devices.

So, what does this mean for locating our AirTag-wearing kitty? Put simply, if you live in a residential area with close neighbours, such as a crescent or a new build estate, where many people with iPhones live in close proximity, an AirTag on your cat will work much better than if you live in a rural area where your fur baby can wander into areas with less coverage. In a rural location where you don’t have close neighbours, perhaps a farm, you are relying on your Apple device alone to pick up a signal, whereas in a neighbourhood, the AirTag can ‘ping’ off other devices on the Bluetooth network.

What Type of Collar is Best for Attaching an AirTag?

There’s a lot of choice available online, but which is best? You can get collars with the AirTag attached, simple cat collars with an AirTag holder that clips onto the collar where you would attach an ID tag, or holders that fit onto your cat's collar by threading it through. And then there’s the material to consider.

Both my cats wear Jensons, naturally! Our cork leather cat collars hold their shape unlike some fabric collars, which means they can perfectly support an AirTag attached directly to the collar. My personal preference is using a waterproof silicone case for the AirTag to ensure it is super soft on my kitties’ skin, with no stiff edges that can rub. There are lots of leather AirTag cases available on the market, but bear in mind that any exposed edges could irritate your cat. This is why I opt for a smooth, flexible silicone AirTag case.

Shop the Jensons Breakaway Cork Cat Collar Collection

Cork Leather Cat Collar, Image of Jensons Breakaway Cat CollarS, image of different colour collars.

Can an AirTag Withstand Outdoor Conditions?

Apple AirTags are water-resistant but not fully waterproof. They have an IP67 rating, which means they can withstand being submerged in up to 1 metre of water for up to 30 minutes. This makes them resistant to rain, splashes, and brief submersion, but they are not designed for prolonged underwater use. So, while they should handle most everyday situations your cat might encounter, it's best to avoid exposing them to water for extended periods.

In my experience of using AirTags on cat collars for the last 9 months, I’ve not had an issue with weather conditions. However, I do use waterproof cases for both my AirTag-wearing kitties.

AirTags for Cats: A Cat Mum's Personal Story

My lovely boy cat, Jenson, loves to explore. He’s a little adventurer, thriving on jumping over fences, prowling through undergrowth, and stalking pigeons (that he’ll never be able to catch). He loves it, and although I don’t always share his enthusiasm, his happiness makes me happy, albeit worried. It never stops as a cat mum, does it?

Jenson went through a phase of pushing boundaries, so to speak. When I checked the "Find My" app, I’d often see that his AirTag had picked up a signal several streets away from our home. Occasionally, in disbelief, I’d hop in the car to verify his location. Yes, I take cat mum stalking very seriously! And sure enough, he’d be lurking around. I’d never let him spot me; I wouldn’t want to cramp his style.

There was a period when Jenson wandered to the farthest point I’d ever caught him at, a complex of flats. I don’t know what it was about these flats, but he was obsessed with visiting them. This went on for weeks; I’d check the "Find My" app, and sure enough, he’d be there. In true cat mum stalker style, I hopped in the car again to see what was so fascinating about these particular flats, which I hadn’t visited before. They turned out to be quite nice, surrounded by lots of greenery. I could see why he liked it there.

Not wanting to alert him to my presence or risk him following me home (the main road route), I kept my distance. Sure enough, when I approached the flats, the "Find My" app would show the AirTag as ‘with me now,’ which only happens when you’re close by. I assumed he was hiding in one of the nearby bushes.

One day, I checked Jenson’s location early in the morning, and he was at the flats. I patiently waited for him to come home, expecting him to show up by at least 10:00 a.m. for his breakfast, but he did not. On edge, I waited until around 4:00 p.m, checking in every hour or so, and the "Find My" app continued to show him at the flats. By 4:00 p.m, I couldn’t wait any longer; it was out of character, and my worry and curiosity were getting the better of me. I grabbed the cat carrier, threw it in the car, and headed to the flats.

I gave him a little whistle, and sure enough, a very sad meow was returned. I followed the sound to find him lying in a bush, with the saddest, sorriest meow I’d ever heard. Was he hurt, or did he think I’d just shown up to ruin playtime? Either way, he looked okay with no obvious injuries, so with a bit of dreamie blackmail, I got him into his carrier, into the car, and home. Once home, it was clear that he was okay, hungry and a little shaken, but alright.

To this day, I don’t know why he didn’t come home. Did he lose his bearings? Was he scared of the nearby road noise? After this incident, the same thing happened once more. Once again, I went to collect a very sorry-for-himself cat. After that, he never went back to the block of flats, and I keep my fingers crossed that he doesn’t venture there again.

The moral of all this rambling is that if it hadn’t been for the AirTags on Jenson’s collar, I would never have known to look for him at the flats. Being able to have an indication of your cat’s whereabouts when they’re not home certainly eases the nerves. In this case, the AirTag worked exceptionally well. It showed me where Jenson’s AirTag last picked up a Bluetooth signal and allowed me to head to that point, safely retrieve him, and bring him back home. For my little angel girl cat, who doesn’t like to wander and stays close to home, I haven’t had to use her AirTag as much, but it’s still reassuring to know I have some clues about her whereabouts.

Having AirTags attached to both of my kitties’ collars has also meant I’ve been able to locate their collars if they’ve gotten caught on something and the breakaway buckle has opened. I’ve found both of my cats’ collars in trees before, by fences, and in neighbours' gardens. Needless to say, my neighbours know exactly what I’m after when I show up at their front doors now. I would never recommend putting an AirTag on a non-breakaway collar, or for a cat to wear a non-breakaway collar at all. Breakaway collars pop open when needed, allowing your kitty to be freed, and the positive benefits of your cat’s safety far outweigh a misplaced collar.

Shop the Jensons Breakaway Cork Cat Collar Collection

There you have it, a guide to AirTags for cats that I hope has been useful in explaining the pros and cons of using an AirTag on your cat's collar. We’re fans and think they are great, but not perfect, as there are certainly limitations. Whether an AirTag on your cat's collar will work for you largely depends on where you live and the strength of the Bluetooth network around you. If you’d like guidance on choosing the perfect collar for your kitty or have any questions about AirTags for cats, please get in touch at hello@jensons.co. We'd love to hear from you.

AirTags for Cats: Do They Work on Cat Collars? A Cat Mum's Personal Review