Can Your Dog’s Collar Predict a Trip to the Vet?

Exploring the rise of pet tech, health trackers, and what they really mean for your dog’s wellbeing

Imagine this: your phone pings with an alert. Your dog, who is normally up and active by 7 a.m., has barely moved today. Or maybe it flags increased licking or scratching over the past three nights. No new food, no visible injuries. Just… something’s off.

As a veterinarian - and as a dog mom who uses Whistle collars myself - I find this kind of data fascinating. We’re entering an era where smart collars and wearable devices can give early warning signs of health issues, often before your dog shows obvious symptoms. But are these devices truly reliable? And how can they support better veterinary care? Let’s dig into the truth behind this growing trend.

What Is Pet Wearable Tech?  wearablesblogfi

Pet wearables are essentially Fitbits or Apple Watches for dogs. Devices like Whistle, Fi, and Halo use advanced sensors and algorithms to track:

  • Daily activity and rest – How much your dog is moving and sleeping
  • Location via GPS – Helps track exercise, safe zones, and lost pet recovery
  • Behavior patterns – Scratching, licking, sleeping, and unusual movements
  • Long-term health trends – Data over weeks and months to spot subtle changes


Some devices even offer alerts when changes in behavior could indicate pain, discomfort, stress, or illness.

I personally use the Whistle Health & GPS+ collar on my dogs, and it’s been an eye-opener. For example, it pinged me about one dog licking excessively at night - long before I noticed. A trip to the vet revealed an early seasonal allergy flare-up. The collar gave me a head start on care.

Early Detection = Proactive Care

The most powerful aspect of pet tech is that it shifts care from reactive to proactive. Rather than waiting until symptoms are obvious, smart collars and wearable devices can alert you to small changes in your dog’s behavior or activity - often before anything feels “wrong.”

Here’s a closer look at what these changes could mean:

  • Increased licking or scratching - Repeated licking or scratching may be a sign of seasonal allergies, food sensitivities, anxiety, or joint discomfort. Early alerts allow your veterinarian to intervene before skin irritation worsens or infections develop.
  • Unusual inactivity - If your usually active dog starts moving less, it could indicate muscle soreness, fatigue, early arthritis, or other underlying health issues. Detecting these changes early can help manage chronic conditions or adjust exercise routines to prevent injury.
  • Interrupted sleep patterns - Restless nights or frequent waking may signal itching, pain, urinary problems, or discomfort from chronic conditions. Monitoring sleep trends over time gives your vet critical insights into issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.
  • Other subtle changes - Smart collars can also pick up variations in activity intensity, pacing, or overall movement patterns. Even small deviations from your dog’s baseline can provide early clues about stress, discomfort, or emerging illness.

Why this matters:

Tracking subtle behavioral changes over weeks or months provides actionable data for your veterinary team. When you bring this information to an appointment, it allows for:

  • Earlier intervention – Treat conditions before they become serious
  • Better-informed decisions – Targeted diagnostics and treatments based on observed trends
  • Improved outcomes – Prevent chronic issues from worsening and enhance quality of life

In short, early detection through wearable tech empowers you to take a proactive approach to your dog’s health, giving both you and your veterinarian a head start on keeping your dog happy and healthy.

How Veterinarians Use Pet Tech Data

At Willowbrook Veterinary Hospital, we see more clients bringing in smart collar data, and it’s a valuable tool when used correctly. Examples include:

  • Monitoring arthritis or mobility changes in senior dogs
  • Tracking exercise and weight loss goals
  • Post-operative recovery – Ensuring your dog moves enough and sleeps well
  • Identifying flare-ups of chronic conditions like skin allergies or gastrointestinal issues

Important: Smart collars are not a replacement for exams, diagnostics, or veterinary intuition. Not every bark, lick, or restless night indicates a problem.

Think of wearable tech as another tool in your toolkit - most effective when combined with regular veterinary care and your own observations

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Choosing the Right Device

With the rise of pet tech, there are now several popular smart collars and wearable devices on the market. Choosing the right one depends on your dog’s lifestyle, health needs, and your primary goals for monitoring. Here’s a closer look at some of the top options:

Whistle – Best for Health and Behavior Tracking

Focus: Monitors licking, scratching, sleep patterns, and overall activity

Best for: Dogs with chronic health conditions, allergies, or behavior concerns

Benefits:

  • Provides daily, weekly, and monthly health trend reports
  • Alerts you to subtle changes that might indicate illness or discomfort
  • Works as a conversation starter with your veterinarian, providing actionable insights


Fi – Best for Escape-Prone or Active Dogs

Focus: GPS tracking, geofencing, and activity monitoring

Best for: Dogs who love to run, hike, or explore, or those prone to escaping

Benefits:

  • Real-time location tracking ensures peace of mind
  • Tracks activity levels to help maintain weight or exercise goals
  • Long battery life suitable for outdoor adventures


Halo – Great for All-Around Safety and Activity Monitoring

Focus: Combines GPS tracking, behavior alerts, and activity monitoring

Best for: Owners looking for a comprehensive solution for both health and safety

Benefits:

  • Provides alerts for unusual activity or location changes
  • Can be integrated with training tools for behavior improvement
  • Tracks sleep, activity, and location over time


Tip from a Veterinarian

When choosing a device, consider your dog’s unique needs:

  • If your main concern is health monitoring, go with a collar like Whistle that tracks behavior and health trends.
  • If you prioritize safety and location tracking, Fi or Halo may be better suited.
  • Many pet owners find combining activity and GPS features provides the most well-rounded insights.


Remember, no matter which device you choose, smart collars are most effective when paired with regular veterinary care and your own observations.

They’re tools to help you notice patterns, intervene early, and support your dog’s overall wellbeing.

Bottom Line: Tech + Teamwork = Better Care

Smart collars and wearable devices won’t replace regular veterinary visits, but they can make every visit more effective. By providing objective, real-time data about your dog’s activity, behavior, and health trends, these tools give both you and your veterinarian a clearer picture of your dog’s wellbeing.

Here’s how smart collars support better care:

  • Notice subtle shifts in behavior or activity - Changes that may seem minor - like a slight decrease in playtime or an increase in nighttime scratching - can indicate allergies, joint discomfort, or early illness. Smart collars help you catch these subtle signs before they escalate into serious problems.
  • Spot patterns you might otherwise miss - Consistent tracking over weeks or months allows you and your veterinarian to detect trends in sleep, activity, or behavior. Patterns like decreased movement during certain times of day or repeated licking episodes can reveal chronic issues that would otherwise go unnoticed.
  • Bring actionable data to your vet - Having detailed, accurate data during appointments helps your veterinary team make more informed decisions about diagnostics, treatments, or lifestyle adjustments. It often allows for earlier intervention, which can improve outcomes and reduce stress for your dog.
  • Enhance your connection with your dog - Beyond the numbers, these tools help you stay tuned in to your dog’s health and behavior. You’re not just feeding and walking them - you’re actively observing, listening, and responding to their needs. This proactive engagement strengthens your bond and demonstrates the kind of care veterinarians love to see.


The bottom line: Smart collars are not a replacement for veterinary care - they’re a powerful complement. By combining technology, observation, and professional guidance, you can catch problems early, prevent complications, and ensure your dog enjoys a longer, healthier life.

Got a Smart Collar Story?

If your dog’s wearable has flagged unusual activity or behavior, bring it to your next vet visit or give us a call. We’ll help you interpret the data and turn it into actionable care.

Together, smart collars and professional veterinary care can transform raw data into wellness insights, helping your dog live a healthier, happier life.