Oh no, it happened again: Spot has run off somewhere in the neighborhood! He usually comes back within a day or two. Although it is a short time, you worry, nonetheless. You worry that something can happen to your pooch if you do not do something about it. You have heard of something called a title and wonder if it can help solve your problem.

The Tile cannot be used to track your dog if it is far away.  The Tile has a specific range that once it is reached your dog would essentially be “off the grid.” Microchipping is better because the range in which it reaches is further, even though it will only be an estimate.

Most pet owners have heard of micro-chipping. Essentially this is a process under which a small piece of metal (chip) is placed under the skin. This comes equipped with an identifying number. In this article, you’ll learn when you might be able to track your dog with a Tile Mate, as well as when it may be time for a chip.

Microchipping

When a pet owner considers getting their dog micro-chipped the owner brings the dog in clean to the vet.  From there the rice-sized chip is placed between the shoulder blades of the dog. It is not invasive and it is a simple outpatient procedure.

Tile Mates are not better than microchipping when it comes to tracking your dog. Tile Mates have a certain range that they can track before going offline. However, microchipping doesn’t have a range like this, and if your dog gets lost, a vet can track the chip back to you.

The Chipping Procedure

Following the procedure, the pet owner needs to register the microchip. Registering the chip enables the person who scans the dog to collect information on how to return the pet to its owner. Because of the unique number on the pet’s chip, the owner can also get a general location on the pet from a vet or other facility that has a scanner.

Why Is It Done?

It is obvious that pet owners microchip their dogs because they do not want to lose their pets.  It is a stress-free way to own a dog. It is not as burdensome to look for a lost dog without a chip as it is with.

How is a Tile Different?

Some may think that a tracker is a tracker, right? Well, no. For starters a Tile is not an implant like the microchip. The Tile is GPS activated, and the microchip is not.

Placement

The Tile is a 35 x 35 mm square device held or carried around. This is not to be implanted into anything living. Instead, for dogs, it is typically hooked onto the collar. This device is most used to find lost items that are within a close range, like purses or car keys. You might be able to use a Tile Mate to track you dog:

  • In the houseIn the dog parkIn the yard

Global Positioning System

The Tile uses GPS technology to find whatever is lost. Radio signal relays the GPS satellites. From here the device owner gets a notification to where the device is along with what is missing.

Not Good For Roaming

If your pet is lost, then it probably is not close by. This would not be a good option to track your dog. This could only work if your pet is within 400 ft and the tile is attached to the dogs’ collar.

Other External Options

Micro-chipping your dog may be a better option for you when it comes to your peace of mind. The microchip also lasts 24 years which is longer than the lifespan of most dogs. To be able to track man’s best friend at a further range then that is your best bet. There are other things you can use that uses GPS to navigate where your dog is if you don’t want to implant anything into your dog.

There are tracking devices on the market that you can simply attach to your dogs’ collar. These technology-based devices have a further range than the tile. Some of them are also more affordable than the tile.

  • Whistle Go ExplorePetfonTractiveApple AirTags

Conclusion

A Tile is only better than microchipping in a way that does not need to be implanted into your dog. In all the other ways it is not an efficient means of finding a lost dog. There are better (more costly) and more efficient means in tracking your dog that are as simple as clicking a tracker right onto the dog’s collar.