Report Highlights Danger of Using AirTags for Tracking Dogs

[JapanApple]

Airtags for pet tracking is excellent. the problem lies with the kind of Ccovering or cases it's on. Amazon has millions of airtag cases. When they explained they say "PETS" now many of the cases are flimsy and easy to break etc. owners need to take care of use cases that are not good for pet uses.

 

[Aston441]

AirTags also give off high amounts of EMF (you can get an EMF reader to confirm for yourself) which I believe is also why they say not to attach them to "living things" (dogs, kids, etc.)

The total amount of energy in a button battery averaged out over a year os going to generate about nothing, even at 100% efficiency juice--->RF. While everyone else is frying their gonads with their smartphones.

 

[SilverWalker]

I guess something on the tags tastes good to a dog? Perhaps they could coat it in something that tastes revolting (would stop kids doing the same thing).

 

[Ankaa]

I want to track a 🦈 Shark [...] in the Pacific Ocean

Hawaiʻi Tiger Shark Tracking | PacIOOS

Check out tracks of Hawai‘i tiger sharks that were fitted with the latest generation of satellite tags. Researchers gain valuable insights about shark behavior and also test new technologies. Select a shark and explore our interactive viewer!

www.pacioos.hawaii.edu

As for the dolphins... Cascadia frequently satellite tags false killer whales and posts their tracks on their FB page.

Sincerely,
Your friendly neighborhood marine biologist

 

[SuikaMabals]

The total amount of energy in a button battery averaged out over a year os going to generate about nothing, even at 100% efficiency juice--->RF. While everyone else is frying their gonads with their smartphones.

Yes and no. It's not about that. It's about the type of EMF and how it's emitted. AirTags give off TONS but it's in bursts. AirPods, on the other hand, it's constant, and 3x more than 6 inches outside a microwave. Concerning to say the least. You can pick up an EMF reader for only about $150 if you or anyone else here wants to test. I've been testing many items for years.

 

[The Barron]

I want to track a 🦈 Shark or 🐬 Dolphins in the Pacific Ocean (Follow the marine life journey). Would that be possible???

Waste of your money due to no Bluetooth out in the Pacific.

 

[TechnoMonk]

N

the issue is the button battery.

these are very serious if swallowed and stuck, as often happens to infants

No different than other gadgets. My friend is a vet and the stuff that comes out of dogs tummy after surgery will make tags with batteries look like kids play. I would be more worried about my dog eating a chocolate or sugar free stuff, which is very toxic for dogs. I don’t use tags for dogs.

 

[TVreporter]

I will add, this seems like a niche issue. If you got a good AirTag collar..how would a dog eat it? I know some dogs are..interesting in they eat everything you'd think a dog wouldn't but if they can't get at it..how?

I have two dogs - one is a puppy. When they play, the puppy often tries to grab the adult’s dog’s collar to help try to wrestle him down.

A hanging tag (we don’t use any) could easily be chomped and swallowed.

But this is just common sense and not an Apple problem. Just watch your dog and know your surroundings.

 

[bLackjackj]

It should only be used with a secured collar with a lock on it or something.

A lock? Lol..Have you ever had a dog,..they will chew through anything.

Just don't give the dog a spare key 🤦‍♂️

 

[mannyvel]

Many more dogs eat socks, which tends to require surgery. Obviously we need to ban socks to keep our dogs safe.

 

[Mainsail]

Many more dogs eat socks, which tends to require surgery. Obviously we need to ban socks to keep our dogs safe.

Yes. And, ban children too, since they leave their socks, blocks, and other toys around for dogs to chew-up and eat.

 

[macfacts]

Nintendo coats their switch game carts in a bitter chemical https://www.nintendo.com/my/support/qa/detail/33863 while apple coats their air tags in beef juices

 

[Rafterman]

Depends on the dog. My dog never swallows stuff. If she found an airtag, she'd chew the hell out of it, but she never swallow the pieces. I've lost many an item to my dog, but it always just ended up in pieces on the ground.

 

[svish]

Thankfully the dog is safe. AirTags lying around can be dangerous!!

 

[iBreatheApple]

Meh. Many small things in a dogs world exist that they could ingest to cause an obstruction, among other things. To me, it seems more likely they would find something this size around the house or at the park versus something that is typically secured to their neck.

 

[maxfromdenmark]

I don’t have any dog but I think a collar with solid attachment or strong pocket can be helpful. AirTag should sit securely inside and when a pet is home collar is taken off and stored secure. This is actually the same way of taking care like with smaller kids.

 

[imlovinit]

I have an air tag on my big boy for a year now and zero issues *knock on wood*. I think people just need to know their dogs and use common sense the same as with anything.

 

[_Spinn_]

This just means you need a collar that completely seals the AirTag rather than allow it to dangle. The problem is poorly designed AirTag collars.

My thoughts exactly! This wouldn’t be a problem with a well designed case that seals the AirTag in and properly attaches it to the collar.

 

[MrCrowbar]

I once clicked on an article warning about how dangerous avocados are. Turns out people suffocate trying to swallow the pit.

 

[James Godfrey]

In all honesty, the AirTag is an ITEM tracker, it’s not meant or designed for tracking pets or people, use the device as intended and you won’t have problems

 

[Veinticinco]

I read this article - and the confirmatory replies - as a smug superior cat owner, thinking "dogs, what do you expect...not exactly nature's smartest".

 

[GraXXoR]

FFS, people, don't stick a swallowable device on a cheap $2 chinky chain... Buy a quality safety approved strap. You wouldn't let your kid play with a toy with swallowable Chinese bits, so why let your beloved pet?

 

[Ankaa]

I read this article - and the confirmatory replies - as a smug superior cat owner, thinking "dogs, what do you expect...not exactly nature's smartest".

As a fellow cat owner, I'd advise to not be quite that smug ...

Cat dies after surgery to remove 38 hair ties from stomach, Charleston Animal Society says

The Charleston Animal Society said on social media that “Juliet,” a cat brought in for life-saving surgery to remove 38 hair ties from her stomach, has died.

www.live5news.com

 

[sunseeker]

the issue is the button battery.

these are very serious if swallowed and stuck, as often happens to infants

Yes. This. Thanks for posting. I came by myself to correct the misinformation everyone including macrumors seem to be operating under.

The fact is, that if an animal or human swallows an unsealed button battery they will very likely suffer severe internal damage due to the battery short circuiting NOT due to caustic substances that may be leaking.

AirTags open extremely easily and after that it's very bad news for the dog.

For those who must use AirTags attached to or around pets or young children, consider nothing less than the Elevation Labs TagVault range which is very much better sealed and in the case of the TagVault Pet, very securely attached to the collar.

AirTag Dog Collar Mount

The most secure & comfortable AirTag pet collar mount. IP69 waterproof, dogs can swim with it. Works with any width collar or harness. Durable composite construction + CNC machined stainless hardware. Unbreakable ballistic Nylon6 polyamide backplate. Fits dogs and cats over about 10lbs...

www.elevationlab.com

 

[Hopefully Smarter]

worked perfectly.