Microchipping your dog can increase the chances that they are found if they get lost. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of microchipping your dog.
What is a microchip?
Microchips are tiny radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips that can help vets and animal shelters locate pet owners, if their animal is has been found. Microchips are approximately the size of a grain of rice, and are usually placed under the skin,.
Your vet will place a needle that has been preloaded with the microchip into the application gun or syringe and your dog will be positioned for the microchip injection.
For dogs, the typical placement is in the subcutaneous tissue along the spine and between the dog's shoulder blades. In order for placement to be accurate, your dog should be either standing or lying on his stomach. Your vet will gently pull up some of the loose skin, insert the needle quickly and inject the microchip. The applicator trigger is squeezed, injecting the microchip into the tissue.
Microchipping your dog does not require surgery. The chip is implanted just under the skin using a needle and involves little discomfort. In fact, most dogs have almost no reaction to having the microchip implanted.
Once your dog has been microchipped, you register the chip's serial number and your dog's information with the company that produced the chip. By matching your dog's information with the serial number of the microchip, if your dog is found, they can be traced back to you.
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 useful tools. People can simply read the tag, and call the phone number listed on it to contact the owner.
Your dog should always have collars and identification tags in case they get into trouble. Be sure to include your name and contact number on your dog's tag.
As good as it is to equip your dog with a collar and identification tag, tags can fall off and get lost, leaving your dog with no identifying information. Microchips are a permanent way to provide your dog with a means of identification.
It is important to keep your microchip registration information up to date. Be sure to contact the microchip company to update your information if you move or change your contact number.
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 when it comes to proving ownership.