Should You Microchip Your Pet?

The moment you realize your beloved furry friend is lost is a helpless feeling. And, according to one study, 15% of cats and dogs go missing every year. Fortunately, technology such as microchips can help you recover your pet if they ever get lost. So, should you microchip your pet? Read on to learn everything you need to know to decide whether microchipping is right for your cat or dog.

Microchipping Your Pet

Microchipping your pet is one way to increase the odds that you'll reunite with your furry friend should they ever go astray. To microchip your pet, your veterinarian places a small, sterile computer chip (about the size of a grain of rice) under the loose skin between their shoulder blades.

Insertion

The whole procedure takes just a few seconds. Your vet will clean the skin where they want to inject the microchip and then quickly insert the chip under the skin with a needle. A microchip needle is larger than a vaccination needle, and it does cause discomfort for a second or two. Some vets will use local anesthesia when inserting the microchip, while others will use distraction techniques such as offering treats or letting your pet lick a delicious substance (e.g., peanut butter) off a lick mat. Alternatively, your vet can microchip your pet while they're asleep for a spay or neuter procedure. Talk to your vet about your options.

There's no recovery time after microchipping, so your cat or dog can go about their day as normal! Rarely, they may experience soreness or swelling at the injection site. If you notice swelling, call your vet.

Cost

Microchipping can be done at your local veterinary office. Many animal shelters and low-cost and mobile health clinics also offer microchipping, sometimes at a lower price. The cost of microchipping varies, but, on average, the procedure costs between $30 and $60. Some microchip companies charge an additional fee to store your contact information, so confirm costs ahead of time. If you're concerned with cost, ask your veterinary clinic if they'll implant the microchip during a technician visit (where your pet doesn't receive a physical from a vet).

How Microchips Work

A microchip contains a serial number unique to your pet, and it's associated with a phone number that belongs to the registry that owns the chip. A vet or pet care provider uses a handheld scanner to read the chip. Then, they call the number of the company and provide them with the serial number to retrieve your contact information, such as your name, address and phone number.

Limitations

Microchipping pets can help reunite furry friends with their families, but the technology does have limitations. For example, if you move or your phone number changes and you don't notify the microchip company, your pet's microchip will provide outdated information. Always update your contact details as soon as possible after a change.

Also, while microchips are always inserted between the shoulder blades, gravity can sometimes cause the chip to travel to another part of your pet's body, making it difficult for a scanner to find. Ask your vet to scan the chip at least once a year to make sure it's still where it should be. Finally, a microchip isn't a GPS. It can't tell you where your pet is unless they're found.

Because of these limitations, always attach a tag with your updated contact information to your dog's or cat's collar.

Shelters and Microchipping Pets

Many animal shelters require pets to have microchips before moving to their forever home. If you're planning to adopt a dog or cat from a local shelter, ask if the shelter microchips pets before adopting them out. Have the shelter run through the details of the program with you and explain what to do if your new pet gets lost.

The Future of Pet Identification

While microchipping pets is the most common way of reuniting pets with their families, GPS and QR code options are also available.

GPS Tracking

You can get a collar with a GPS unit to track your pet's location at all times. With GPS tracking, you can see your pet's whereabouts right on your smartphone. Many products are available, and they all have different capabilities and drawbacks. Here are some questions to ask yourself when shopping for these products:

• Do you have to sign up (and pay for) a subscription plan?
• How large is the tracking radius?
• How much does the collar weigh?
• How long does the battery last? Are the batteries rechargeable?
• Is the collar waterproof?
• Does your pet weigh enough for the tracker to work?

QR-Coded Tags or Collars

Fitting your dog with a collar or tags that have a QR code allows anyone with a smartphone to scan the code and find out where your pet belongs. These codes can also store alternative contact numbers and information, such as your dog's or cat's name, age, medications and allergies.

What to Do if Your Pet Gets Lost

Microchips can help you reunite with your lost dog or cat, but a few other simple steps can increase your odds of finding them. Always make sure your pet is wearing their collar with updated information on their ID tag, and keep updated photos of your pet to show to people in your area if they get loose. Other tips include:

• Call your local vets, shelters and animal control to let them know you have a lost cat or dog.
• Use social media to spread the word. Include a photo and description of your lost pet along with their last known location.
• Post lost pet signs on telephone poles and other areas around your neighborhood (old school but still effective!).
• Drive around the area where they were last spotted and keep your eye on areas you know they love (squirrel-filled parks, etc.).

While new ways of identifying lost pets could end up being the go-to in the future, microchips are currently the most common way of identifying a lost pet without ID tags. Microchipping is safe and relatively inexpensive, and most shelters will scan pets for a microchip immediately upon arrival. So, should you microchip your pet? Why not! Your pet is family, and they belong with you. A microchip is one more tool you can use to make sure they come home safe and sound.