Why Microchipping Pets Is Essential for Their Safety
There’s no fear quite like the anxiety of a pet going missing. As a pet owner, you do everything you can to keep your pet safe. But you can’t always control your pet’s activities, and both dogs and cats can quickly slip out of the house and become lost without your knowledge.
Microchipping pets is one of the easiest ways to get them back home if they ever wander away. Learn more about pet microchipping in Queen Creek, AZ, from Revel Vet.
What Are Pet Microchips?
Pet microchips are small sensors, about the size of a grain of rice, that are inserted under a pet’s skin. Vets usually place them between a dog or cat’s shoulder blades.
The microchip contains a unique identification number that veterinary clinics can read using a microchip scanner. You can think of this chip as a permanent ID tag that follows your pet wherever they go.
Should your pet become lost and someone take them to an animal shelter or vet, a microchip scanner would instantly show the pet’s contact information. A worker could call the phone number on file and reconnect you with your beloved companion.
Many pet parents rely on their furry friend’s collar and ID tags to provide this information if the pet ever becomes lost. However, collars can break and fall off. Keeping a collar on a pet at all times may not be entirely safe, either, as the collar could get stuck on something and restrict the animal’s movements.
Microchipping pets ensures that this essential contact information is always available. You can also include information about a pet’s health in their microchip file, allowing anyone who finds them to give them the care they need until you can retrieve them.
How Microchips Can Protect Your Pet’s Safety
Veterinarians and animal shelters alike recommend microchips to help keep pets safe. The benefits of a microchip are vast, including:
- Permanent identification: Microchipped animals have a permanent ID tag that should always be accessible. The microchip is implanted under the animal’s skin. It is extremely rare for these IDs to fall out.
- Detailed form of identification: Each microchip links to a unique ID number. A vet clinic can use a universal pet microchip lookup tool to identify the contact details for a found pet. The personal information connected to a pet’s microchip ID goes beyond what you could include on a small collar ID tag.
- Improved chances of reunification: Microchipping pets gives them the best chance for reunification with their owners after they run away. Without a microchip, your pet can easily become mixed in with other stray animals, and an animal recovery service may not realize they are a lost animal with a home. The presence of a microchip instantly indicates that an animal has an owner they need to be reunited with.
- Peace of mind: An implanted microchip gives pet owners peace of mind when their pet runs away. You will know your pet only needs to be taken to a veterinary office or animal shelter, and they will find their way back to you.
What Is the Process of Microchipping Pets?
Microchipping your pet is an affordable, straightforward process. Most veterinarians and animal shelters offer this service, which generally costs between $25 and $75. You can often request microchip implantation during your pet’s annual checkup.
The implantation procedure isn’t much different from giving your pet a vaccine. The vet will begin by scanning the microchip in its package to ensure that the registration number matches the one on the package. The microchip comes pre-loaded in a hypodermic needle.
Your vet will load the needle into an application gun or syringe and hold your pet in place. Your pet should be standing or lying on their stomach for proper placement.
The vet will grab some of the loose skin between your pet’s shoulder blades and insert the needle, injecting the microchip just under the skin. Then, they will use a microchip reader to verify that the chip is scannable.
Once you have the microchip’s ID number, you can create a profile for your pet with the microchip company. Then, your pet will be part of a pet recovery database that vets and animal shelters can access if they ever find your furry friend unattended.
Schedule Your Microchipping Appointment With Revel Vet
Now that you know the benefits of microchipping for your pet’s safety, schedule a microchip insertion appointment or verify existing microchip details with Revel Vet. We’d be happy to help you during your pet’s annual checkup, a routine vaccination appointment, or any other visit. After inserting the chip, we can walk you through the microchip registration process as well.
Contact us today at 480-701-8609 to schedule an appointment, then check out our recent blog post on caring for senior pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a microchip do to a pet?
A microchip helps vets and animal shelters identify a missing pet. It shows a pet’s microchip number, which workers can use to access the animal’s registered contact information. A microchip is not a tracking device or GPS device; instead, it’s a permanent ID tag that shows owner contact information to help reunite lost pets with their people.
Is there a downside to microchipping dogs?
There is really no downside to microchipping dogs. This procedure is fast and relatively painless. Microchips are biocompatible, which means pets’ bodies tolerate them well. However, in some rare cases, a dog’s microchip could migrate to other parts of their body, causing discomfort.
Is microchipping pets ethical?
Microchipping pets is ethical. It won’t harm your pet, but it could provide a range of benefits. It significantly aids the return-to-home process and reduces the number of missing pets.
Do pets need to be microchipped?
While pets do not need to be microchipped by law in the United States, private organizations may have rules about microchipping. For example, you may not be able to take your pet to a boarding facility or daycare unless they have a microchip. If you plan to travel to a different country with your pet, laws may vary.
