Mindy · Guides

Pet wearables for dogs: what they track and what to look for

A pet wearable is a small device on your dog's collar that notices what you can't log by hand. Here's what they can tell you, what they can't, and what to check before you buy one.

By the Mindy team, Sydney · 5 November 2026

What is a pet wearable?

A pet wearable, sometimes called a dog health tracker or smart collar, clips onto or replaces your dog's collar. It measures things like movement, location or scratching, and sends them to an app on your phone. Like the fitness and sleep trackers people wear, the useful part is the pattern over time: what's normal for your dog, and when that changes.

What can a dog wearable track?

• Location (GPS)Where your dog is, on a map in the app. Useful for escape artists, walkers and busy households.
• Leaving homeAn alert when your dog moves outside a safe area you set, such as your yard.
• Activity and walksDaily movement compared with your dog's usual. A drop can be an early sign they're sore or unwell.
• Sleep and restHow settled they are overnight. Restless nights often go along with itching, pain or anxiety.
• ScratchingHow often and when your dog scratches, day and night. This helps owners of itchy dogs see a flare-up building and show the vet the pattern.
• Heart rate and breathing rateSome devices estimate resting heart and breathing rate. Vets often ask owners of dogs with heart conditions to count breathing at home. You can do that by hand with our breathing rate counter.

What a wearable can't do

A wearable doesn't diagnose. It can show that something has changed, such as more scratching, less activity or faster breathing, but only a vet can tell you why. Treat any tracker as a way to notice things earlier and to bring better notes to your vet, not as a replacement for them.

If you're worried about your dog, call your vet. If your dog is struggling to breathe, collapses or seems in pain, treat it as an emergency.

What to look for before you buy

Size and weight

Small dogs need a small, light module. Check the weight against your dog's size and how it sits on the collar.

Battery life

A tracker only helps if it's on your dog. Longer battery life means fewer gaps. Ask how often it needs charging with GPS switched on.

Water and wear

Dogs swim, roll and shake. Look for a clear waterproof rating and a strap that's easy to clean.

Ongoing costs

Live GPS that works anywhere usually needs mobile data, which often means a monthly plan. Check what's included before you buy.

An app you'll actually use

Data is only useful if you can read it. Look for clear trends, reminders for medications and treatments, and an easy way to share a summary with your vet.

Your data

Ask where your dog's data is stored, who can see it, and whether you can delete it.

Questions to ask your vet

• What would be most useful for you to see before our next visit?
• Is there anything you'd like me to count or track at home, such as breathing rate or scratching?
• What change should make me call you sooner?

Where Mindy fits

Mindy has two parts. The Mindy App is for tracking your dog's health and daily care: check-ins, a care journal, medications, care notes for sitters and a vet summary. You can try a demo now. The Mindy Smart Collar is our pet wearable, made to go with the app and in progress: a small module on a leather or nylon strap. Version 01 tracks GPS location and scratching, straight into the app.