Microchipping your dog can increase the chances that they are found if they get lost. Our Diamond Bar vets discuss the benefits of getting a microchip for your dog.
What is a pet microchip?
Vets and animal shelters can use microchips - tiny radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips - to locate pet owners if their animal has been found. Microchips are typically placed under the skin and are about the size of a grain of rice.
What can I expect from the microchipping procedure?
Your dog will receive a microchip injection, a quick and virtually painless procedure. The microchip is placed just under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades, while your dog is lying down or standing up.
The vet gently pulls up some loose skin and inserts the microchip using a needle.
The microchip's serial number and your dog's details will be registered with the chip's company.
This way, if your dog gets lost, the microchip can help identify you as the pet owner.
Why not just get a collar and tag for my dog?
When it comes to returning lost dogs to their owners, collars, and tags are essential. They have a phone number printed on them, so people can easily contact the owner.
Ensure your dog always wears a collar with an identification tag, including your name and contact number. This helps if they get into trouble and get lost.
While collars and tags are great, they can fall off and leave your dog without any identification. To provide a permanent solution, consider microchipping your dog. Just remember to keep the microchip registration information up to date by contacting the microchip company whenever you change your address or phone number.
Although microchips are not externally visible, they should not replace collars and tags. Instead, combining both methods will give you the best chance of being reunited with your dog if they ever become lost.
How do microchips for dogs work?
If your dog has been found, the vet or rescue organization will use a special scanner to read the microchip. Microchip scanners are universal and can read all modern chips, regardless of their brand.
When the scanner is passed over the dog's back and sides, the microchip will transmit its unique identification number to the scanner.
The rescuer will then contact the national database to find out your phone number so that you can be notified that your dog has been found. Should your dog be stolen, microchips can also be very helpful in proving ownership.
Are there risks to microchipping my dog?
Pet parents may worry about pain, allergies, or the microchip moving internally. However, this identification method has been used for years, and millions of pets have been implanted with no issues.
Newer microchips are even better, making the chances of rejection or allergic reactions very rare. Microchips help dogs reunite with their families even after years of separation.