The new Weenect study shows why tracking is becoming increasingly important for a healthy pet life.
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Berlin, March 3, 2025 – People use fitness trackers and apps to monitor their movement and health – but this is no longer limited to humans. Pets, too, are increasingly benefiting from smart technology. GPS trackers like those from Weenect not only locate dogs and cats but also provide valuable insights into their activity levels. The new Weenect study reveals that this function is not only highly relevant but also widely used. Additionally, awareness of a pet’s activity level influences owners' perception of their own physical activity.
The study is based on a survey of 525 Weenect users from France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom, in which they shared their perception of their pets' activity levels. In addition, the movement data of 180 dogs and cats was analyzed, focusing on pets whose owners actively used the GPS tracking function. These data were collected and evaluated over a period of two weeks. This combination enabled a precise comparison between the owners’ subjective assessments and the objective tracking data.
The survey shows that almost all respondents (94.5%) are convinced they have an accurate understanding of their pet’s activity level. However, the real GPS data tells a different story.
One in three owners (37.7%) has a false perception of their pet’s activity. One in four (25.4%) discovers that their pet is more active than expected. Meanwhile, 11.9% realize that their pet moves less than they assumed. This discrepancy highlights that even attentive pet owners do not always accurately assess their pet’s activity. The objective data helps to better understand movement patterns and adjust habits accordingly.
The GPS data reveals significant differences between the two species. On average, dogs cover 5.9 km per day, which is more than four times the distance that cats travel, at just 1.4 km per day. However, cats spend more total time in motion, averaging 13.5 hours per day, but their activity consists of shorter, more intense phases.
While dogs maintain a steady movement pattern through regular walks, cats tend to be spontaneously active. This means that especially indoor cats may receive less exercise than would be ideal for their health.
The study shows that the use of tracking technology is well established. Seven out of ten pet owners track their pet’s activity – whether regularly or occasionally. This means that three out of four pet owners rely on the data to monitor their pet’s movement behavior. These figures highlight the growing demand for data-driven insights into pet health.
The study also reveals that knowledge about a pet’s activity is not only relevant for the pet but also influences the owner's awareness of their own movement. One in two owners (50.7%) would find it interesting to compare their own activity level with their pet’s. 15.6% say that tracking their pet’s movements could motivate them to be more active themselves. Another 15.2% state that tracking their pet makes them more aware of their own physical activity. These results suggest that a pet’s activity level and its owner’s lifestyle are closely linked.
The study demonstrates that monitoring a pet’s activity is far more than just a technological gimmick. While many owners believe they have a good understanding of their pet’s movement patterns, the data shows that this is not always the case. GPS trackers provide objective insights that help owners adjust their pet’s activity to its actual needs – ensuring a healthier and more natural way of living.
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