What You Need to Know About Microchipping Your Dog

Many people have microchips implanted in their dogs for identification purposes. If your pet does not have a microchip, you might want to consider having one implanted into your dog.

Microchipping has multiple benefits. Millions of pets get lost and end up in shelters every year, but a microchipped dog can easily be reunited with owners.

Whether your dog is microchipped or not, it is important that your pet has identification at all times. A collar with tags is the standard, but it can fall off or become damaged. Fortunately, technology has made it possible to equip your pet with a microchip for a permanent form of identification.

How Microchipping Works

A pet microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. It consists of a tiny computer chip housed in a special type of glass. The material is compatible with living tissue. The microchip is implanted between the animal's shoulder blades under the skin with a needle and special syringe. The process is similar to getting a shot (except with a larger needle). In most cases, your dog will experience little to no pain from the implantation of the chip; many pets barely notice it.

Despite the larger needle, most dogs react the same as they would to a ​routine vaccination. If you are concerned your pet might object to the size of the needle, you can have your pet microchipped during anesthesia while being spayed or neutered. If your dog is already fixed, you can have it placed during a professional dental cleaning, which is a procedure that usually requires anesthesia.

Once in place, the microchip can be detected immediately with a handheld device that uses radio waves to read the chip. This device scans the microchip and then displays a unique alphanumeric code.

After the microchip is placed, the pet must be registered with a microchipping company, often for a one-time fee. This way, your dog can be traced back to you if found. Microchips do not have GPS or other locating capabilities. A lost pet must be scanned by a chip reader to begin the process of finding the owner.

Microchip manufacturers, veterinarians, and animal shelters have been working on solutions to the imperfections, and technology continues to improve over time. Fortunately, the newest microchips on the market tend to have better readability.

Considerations for Microchipping

• Long-lasting: Microchips are designed to last for the life of your pet. They do not need to be charged or replaced. There are no batteries.
• Some chips migrate: Some microchips have been known to migrate from the area between the shoulder blades. The instructions for scanning emphasize the need to scan the dog’s entire body, including the limbs.
• It requires a universal scanner: A microchipped pet can be easily identified if found by a shelter or veterinary office in possession of a universal scanner. However, some shelters and veterinary offices do not have these or any scanners, especially in rural areas.
• Some chips are old and not detectable: Depending on the brand of microchip and the year it was implanted, even so-called universal scanners may not be able to detect the microchip. This mainly applies to old chips or those implanted in foreign countries. Most new microchips are usually compatible with universal scanners.

Why You Should Microchip Your Dog

No method of identification is perfect. Responsible pet ownership includes keeping current on your identification tags, keep your dog leashed, and refrain from letting your pet freely roam. As a backup plan, consider microchipping as reinforcement. If your pet does become lost, more identification can increase the odds of finding your beloved companion.

Always keep your contact information updated with the microchip registration company. That way, you can be quickly contacted in the event your dog goes missing and the chip is scanned. If you move, get a new phone number, or change your email address, be sure to immediately change your microchip contact information.

There are many microchip brands and chip registration companies. For your local area, your best bet would be to ask your vet for their recommendation.