Fitness Tracker for Dogs?
Study basis: A combination of survey and data analysis.
The study is based on a survey of 525 Weenect users from France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK, who shared their assessments of their pets' activity. Additionally, the movement data of 180 dogs and cats, whose owners were particularly active users of the GPS tracking function, were analyzed. This data was collected and evaluated over a period of two weeks. This combination enabled a precise comparison between the owners' subjective perceptions and the objective tracking data.
One in three owners overestimated or underestimated their pet's activity level.
The survey reveals that nearly all respondents (94.5%) are confident in knowing their pet's activity level precisely. But the actual GPS data tells a different story.
One in three owners (37.7%) has a false perception of their pet's activity level. One in four (25.4%) notices that their pet is more active than expected. And 11.9 percent notice that their pet has been moving less. This discrepancy reveals that even attentive owners may not always accurately assess their pets. Objective data helps to better understand exercise behavior and adjust it if necessary.
Dogs or cats: Who moves more?
GPS data shows clear differences between the animal species. Dogs cover an average of 5.9 kilometers per day—more than four times as much as cats, which only manage 1.4 kilometers per day. Cats, however, spend more time moving overall (13.5 hours per day), but they move in shorter, more intense bursts.
While dogs maintain a consistent exercise pattern through walks, cats are more spontaneously active. Especially for indoor cats, this can mean they get less exercise than is ideal for their health.
Activity tracking is already part of everyday life for many pet owners.
The study demonstrates that the use of tracking technology has been established for a long time. Seven out of ten pet owners use activity monitoring – whether regularly or occasionally. This means that three out of four use the data to monitor their pet's movement behavior. These figures illustrate the growing desire for data-based insights into pet health.
How tracking also influences the behavior of owners
The study also shows that knowing about a pet's activity is not only important for the pet, but can also increase owners' awareness of their own exercise. One in two owners (50.7%) finds it interesting to compare their own activity with that of their pet. 15.6 percent state that their pet's activity data could motivate them to become more active themselves. The same number (15.2%) say that tracking could increase their own awareness of exercise. These results suggest that a pet's activity level directly influences the owner's lifestyle.
Activity tracking – essential for a healthy life.
The study shows that monitoring animal activity is far more than just a technical gimmick. While many owners believe they have a good grasp of their pet's activity behavior, the data shows that this isn't always the case. GPS trackers provide objective data that help optimally adapt the animal's activity behavior to its needs – for a healthy and species-appropriate life.