Does Your Pet Really Need a Smart Collar? Veterinarians Weigh In - CNET

Just like their human companions, pets can have wearables of their own. Though they’re usually advertised as GPS pet trackers, these smart collars often monitor your cat’s and dog’s health metrics, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, eating and drinking, activity, sleep and even barking, licking and scratching.

But does your furry friend actually need a smart collar, particularly when it matters most — such as during vet appointments? After all, these devices can come with costly subscriptions that add up over time. To find out, I reached out to two veterinarians for their expert opinions on pet smart collars.

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While Dr. Odeliah Bouganim, the founder of SwiftVet Concierge Veterinarian in Los Angeles, doesn’t think every pet needs a wearable, she does believe they can be helpful tools.

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