We’ll start this off with some somber statistics: Over one million pets are lost each year in the United States, and of those that are lost, just over half of them make it back home. Scary, I know, and we often neglect a very important step that helps ensure that your pet gets back home. That’s getting them microchipped. Should you microchip your dog or cat? Absolutely.
What is a Pet Microchip and How Does it Work?
A microchip is a tiny, electronic device about the size of a grain of rice that gets implanted under your pet’s skin. They are battery-free and encased in glass or polymer. Microchips are activated by a radiofrequency external scanner which causes the microchip to transmit a unique and specific number to the scanner. That number is associated with the contact information of the pet’s owner that can be found in a database.
How Are Microchips Implanted?
Though this may sound like a complicated device, the implantation procedure is really no different than a simple vaccination. When you microchip dog and cat patients, the chip is loaded into a syringe and then injected under the loose skin between the shoulder blades of your pet. The needle is definitely bigger than what you’re used to for vaccinations, but to your cat or dog, it really doesn’t feel much different.
Registering Microchips
The microchipping process doesn’t end there, the next steps are up to you. You’ll be given the number from your pet’s microchip and then asked to register it with whichever database the manufacturer uses. As part of the registration process, you’ll be asked to provide your contact information so that it can be linked with the microchip number. Some databases will require a one-time registration fee of $15-$30.
Why Microchips are Important for Dogs and Cats
Your cat or dog can’t speak to tell others their name, address, or phone number, nor do they carry a wallet with an identification card. That means you need to utilize other forms of identification so that your pet has a better chance of getting home should they get lost or stolen.
A collar with an ID tag is one way, but it’s not foolproof. Collars can easily slip off, especially on a cat, and tags can break or become unreadable over time. A microchipped dog or cat permanently has your contact information with them.
Lost Pet Recovery
Lost pets are obviously a big problem, and while signs with your pet’s picture may help if your cat ventures over to see the neighbors, they aren’t very handy when trying to determine who’s who among found black labs in an animal shelter. Having your pet microchipped means that if they are brought to a vet clinic or animal shelter, they are more likely to be returned home than those that don’t have a microchip.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) dogs with microchips are returned home about 52% of the time as compared to only 22% of the time for dogs that weren’t microchipped. If you have a cat, the odds are even worse that they’ll be returned home. We’re talking 1.8% for cats without a microchip, but that increases to 38.5% if they have the device.
Travel, Boarding, and Shelter Safety
If you think the chances are small that your pet will get lost, think again. Even if your cat or dog is perfectly happy with their home life and family and would never dream of running away, things like traveling with them, boarding them, or even taking them to the groomer or veterinarian increases the chances they’ll become lost.
Legal and Identification Benefits
The truth is that not all pets that get lost do so on their own. Some pets are stolen, especially purebreds. A microchip can be the difference in a he-said/she-said situation where you’re trying to prove the identity of your pet.
Insurance and Cost Advantages
Microchipping does come with a cost. Registration typically runs $15–$30, with implantation costing another $25–$50. Some clinics offer low-cost or bundled options, making microchipping a relatively small investment compared to the cost of losing a pet.
There may be another option to help with this-pet insurance. Most dog insurance and cat insurance policies will help cover the costs associated with unexpected illnesses or injuries (including those that happen when the escape), but an additional wellness plan can help to cover preventative measures like vaccinations, wellness exams, and pet microchips.
Risks and Limitations to Microchips for Dogs and Cats
Choosing to microchip dog and cat companions may seem like a no-brainer, but there are a few risks and limitations to consider. These could be reasons not to microchip your dog.
First of all, embedding the microchip requires an injection, which can cause some short-term discomfort for pets.
Microchips are made to be biocompatible, meaning nonharmful to your pet’s body, but they can still cause some irritation. Your pet may experience some pain and swelling at the location. Rarely, this irritation may be more severe and require veterinary attention.
These are not GPS systems. They don’t track your pet to give you an up-to-the-minute location on them. Instead, they rely on pet owners to register the number and keep their contact information up to date.
Some owners worry about the microchip migrating. Be assured that while this is a possibility, the chances are very low and most of the time the chip is still readable even if it moves to a different location under your pet’s skin.
Pros and Cons of Cat and Dog Microchips
It’s important to consider all the pros and cons, but the evidence is clear that microchipping your pets is more likely to save their lives than harm them.
Pros of Microchipping Pets | Cons of Microchipping Pets |
Increases the chances a lost pet is returned home | Implantation can cause brief pain or irritation |
Relatively inexpensive | Rarely, the microchip may migrate and be harder to locate |
Quick and easy to implant during a vet visit | Owner must keep contact information updated |
Permanent form of ID that can’t be lost or removed | A microchip is useless if registration details are outdated |
Choosing the Right Microchip for Your Pet
With all the benefits of microchipping pets, it’s no wonder that the field is ever growing and expanding. With different databases and scanners, it can be a tough decision to choose the right one for your pet, so start with your veterinarian or local shelter. They will likely have a preferred brand or type and be able to tell you what scanners they have.
If you want a little more from your pet’s microchip, there are some options that monitor vitals such as heart rate and temperature. If international travel is in your pet’s future, an ISO (International Standards Organization)-rated microchip would be best.
Step-by-Step Guide to Microchips for Pet Owners
Preparing your Pet
The microchipping process is more about the pet owner than the pet themselves, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do your best to make them comfortable during the process. Keep them as calm as possible during transport and reward them generously for a job well done at the vet clinic. Remember that the injection site may be sensitive for a couple of days afterward, so avoid petting them or touching the area when you pick them up.
Implantation
Implanting a microchip is really no different than a vaccine injection. Your pet may flinch or cry out, but their discomfort is typically short-lived. Once the microchip is in place, the area will be scanned to make sure the microchip is transmitting properly and the number is accurate.
Registration
Now it’s your turn to get the number registered with your current contact information in the proper database.
Follow-up
Have your vet check your pet’s microchip at every appointment to make sure it hasn’t migrated and is still working properly. Remember to update your contact information any time anything changes.
Double Up
For maximum protection, continue to use your pet’s collar and tags along with the microchip. The tag will provide people with a quick and easy identification while the microchip will be there as a backup if the tag gets lost.
Microchiping for Dogs and Cats
No pet owner wants to experience the agony of losing their pet, especially considering how low the return to home rates are. Those rates can be greatly increased by having your pet microchipped. This permanent form of identification is as easy as an injection and fairly inexpensive, costing around $15-$60 overall.