Microchipping in Dogs: A Pup Parent’s Guide

Is microchipping in dogs a good idea? Thousands of pup parents each year have their fur babies microchipped for identification purposes. If you have dogs and have been wondering if you should get them chipped, this blog post will outline the benefits and considerations.

Why Microchip Your Dog?

For decades, pup parents would outfit their dogs with a dog collar with an ID tag attached. And while this is a standard option and one that generally works fine, These tags and collars can sometimes fall off or become damaged. 

Luckily, modern technology has made it so your beloved pooch can be able to be identified at ALL times. This gives you peace of mind should your pup ever get off leash, or run out of the house and become lost. If their collar were to have slipped off, they can still be ID.

How Does Microchipping Work?

The microchip that will be inserted into your pup is about the size of a grain of rice. Though a piece of technology, the microchip is housed in a special type of glass that is 100% compatible with living tissue. 

Your vet will use a special needle and syringe to implant the microchip under your pup’s skin between his shoulder blades. Your dog should experience little to no pain, about the same as when they get a vaccination. 

Some people decide to have their pup microchipped during the spay or neuter surgery when they are under anesthesia. Once the chip is implanted, your pup will not even notice it is there.

After the microchipping procedure, you must register your pet with a microchipping company. There is usually only a one-time small fee for registration. Once chipped and registered, your dog will be able to be scanned and tracked back to you should they ever get lost and found by someone. 

Microchip Considerations

The following are some things to keep in mind if you decide to have your dog microchipped:

Chips Can Migrate

It sometimes happens that these microchips can travel from between your dog’s shoulder blades to other parts of their body. But this is not harmful and vet offices and pet shelters know to scan a dog’s entire body in case the chip has migrated.

Updates May be Necessary

Old chips and those implanted in foreign countries are often hard – if not impossible – to detect, even with universal scanners. For this reason it may be a good idea to have a new microchip implanted into your pup. Most new chips are compatible with universal scanners. 

Registration

As we mentioned, after your dog has been chipped, it’s important to register with a microchipping company. As an extra precaution, you should enter your dog’s unique identification number in the free pet registry.

In addition, always keep your contact information up-to-date with the microchip registration company. By doing so, you’ll be able to be quickly contacted should your pet be found. 

Microchipping in Dogs FAQ

Q: Which company should I register with?

A: There are quite a few microchip brands and registration companies. To find a good one for your local area, ask your vet for a recommendation.

Q: Is microchipping in dogs expensive?

A: Prices can vary somewhat depending on where you live. The average price is $50.

Q: Can I track my dog with a microchip?

A: Microchips are not GPS locators, so you cannot track your dog’s movements with this implant. Microchips essentially store your contact information via the registration company. Lost dogs that have the microchip can be scanned and the owners can be contacted. 

Q: Can I microchip my cat?

A: Yes, absolutely. Many families microchip their cats just to be safe. It’s very important in particular if you have indoor-outdoor cats. 

Have Total Peace of Mind with Pet Insurance

Thinking of our fur babies becoming lost can cause major anxiety for most of us. Getting your pup microchipped is one way to ensure if that should ever happen, you can be reunited with them.

But that may not give you enough peace of mind. Sadly, many dogs that run off and become lost can also become hurt while lost, and sometimes severely. In these cases, the reunion is not always happy.

But you can give yourself the greatest peace of mind and your pup the greatest chance at recovering from her injuries by enrolling her into a pet insurance plan. Plans for dogs can start as low as $35 a month and some have reimbursement rates for up to 90% of the total vet bill.

Don’t hope for good outcomes, ensure them with microchipping and a pet insurance plan.

References:

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/microchips-reunite-pets-families “Microchips reunite pets with families”

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.