Learn how to use light and sound features to see your pet in the dark. These tools provide extra peace of mind for every night walk.
An evening walk with your furry friend is a great way to relax. But when the sun goes down, it can be a little distracting if they decide to explore too far into the shadows. Many pet parents ask: There are trackers with LED lights or sound for night vision?
The short answer is yes! For trackers like the Tractive GPS Pet Tracker, these features are some of the most useful tools for keeping your pet safe after dark. Here’s everything you need to know about using light and sound to keep your visitor informed.
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Why light and sound are a safety issue at night
While GPS tracking shows you where your pet is on a map, light and sound help you see it with your eyes and ears. This is especially important in the “last mile”—when you are close to where they are but can’t see them clearly in the brush or in the dark.
- LED lights: High-visibility lights make it easier to spot your dog from a distance. They also make your pet visible to drivers or cyclists in case they wander near the road.
- Sound alerts: Some trackers allow you to set a “beeping” or “buzzing” sound on your phone. This is a lifesaver if your dog is hiding under a porch, behind a thick tree, or in tall grass.
| A feature | Best use case | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| LED light | Dark, open areas or near roads | Visual perception and traffic safety |
| Audio Signal | Dense brush or “hiding” areas | It guides you to the exact location of your pet and can help train them to come home |
| Live Tracking | When your pet is on the go | The real-time map updates every few seconds |
How to use light and sound features
Many modern trackers, such as Tractive Dog Tracker or Tractive Cat Tracker, have these features built right into the app. Here’s how you can use them:
Activate the LED light
If you lose sight of your dog at night, you can turn on the tracker’s LED light with one simple tap on the app. When you no longer need to turn it on, turn it off again with one tap. After 15 minutes (or one hour on Dog 6 and XL editions) the light will automatically turn off to save battery.
Whether they’re lost at night, or you just want to make them more visible to the cars on your commute, Tractive’s LED lighting is another feature that helps keep your pet safe.
Triggers an audio signal
Sometimes, looking is not enough. If your pet is quiet or stuck somewhere, you can activate the sound signal. This is a (pet safe) high-pitched “ping”. it helps guide you in their direction. It’s a good way too reinforce memory training—many pet parents teach their dogs that “beep” means it’s time to come back for a treat!
As a single pet parent and Livelihood user Nicole shares on Trustpilot:
“I’ve been with Tractive for another year and I can’t recommend it enough. I left with the anxiety of “where are you now?!” to “I know exactly where you are, where you’ve been, how busy you are…” GPS, durability, notifications, battery life are all good…
But the sad thing… the sound feature has become a training tool for my dog. When I turn on the sound, wherever he is, he stops and runs straight home. You know it’s a house call. No more shouting outside or heading to where he is. It’s really amazing and peace of mind with your pets is so important. Thank you, What You Do!”
Keep your pets healthy and safe
Get real-time location information, no matter where they are. See how much – or how little – work they get. And get Health Alerts if something might be wrong.
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Expert tips for a night out
To make the most of your tracker’s security features, keep these tips in mind:
- Check your signal: Before heading out, make sure your tracker is connected and has good GPS resolution.
- Check the sound: Do a quick “test beep” at home so your pet gets used to the sound and won’t be startled by it outside.
- Last charged: Using the LED light and live tracking uses more battery than usual. Try to go out with at least 50% battery on a long night ride.
Safety doesn’t have to stop at sunset. With the right tools, you and your pet can enjoy moonlighting with complete peace of mind.
Read more: How do I use the Light and Sound features with Tractive to find my pet?