Wondering if it's worth it to have your cat or dog microchipped, what the process involves, and if microchipping is safe for your pet? These are all common questions many pet parents have about microchips. Our Elk Grove vets offer some answers and aim to dispel any concerns you may have.
Microchipping Your Pet
If you've ever felt your heart race at the realization that your pet has gone missing, or the thought of your four-legged friend escaping your watchful eyes fills you with dread, you probably feel like you'd do almost anything to keep your cat or dog safe.
Fortunately, microchips can help increase the chances that you'll be quickly reunited with your cat or dog should you two ever become separated.
A microchip is a tiny electronic transponder enclosed in a glass cylinder about the size of a grain of rice. A veterinarian typically places this radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip under the skin on your pet's back, between the shoulder blades.
Is microchipping painful for pets?
Microchipping is generally not painful for animals. The procedure is quick and similar to a routine vaccination for your pet, and your cat or dog should experience minimal discomfort. Once implanted, the microchip will be a permanent form of identification for your canine or feline friend, and may help a vet or other person identify them if they are found.
What information does the microchip provide?
A pet microchip typically stores a unique identification number in a secure national database. This number is linked to the owner's contact information.
You will register the chip number with the company that produced the microchip so anyone with a microchip scanner can trace your pet to your household. This allows lost or stray pets to be easily identified and reunited with their owners.
Additionally, some advanced microchips may also store vaccination records or other information about your pet's medical status, further enhancing your pet's health and safety.
How does microchipping a cat or dog work?
Different types of microchips work in different ways, depending on their purpose. In general, microchips are activated by a special scanner, which emits radio waves and is passed over the specific site on the body where the chip is implanted. The chip then transmits the identification number to the scanner, which displays the number on the screen.
In the past, different brands of chips have required different scanners, but modern scanners are universal and can read all types of modern chips, regardless of their brand.
The person who rescued your pet will then contact the national database, which in turn will contact the pet's owner (you) and take action to reunite you with your cat or dog.
Microchips are not only valuable for reuniting owners with lost pets, but can also help prove ownership if there is ever a question of mistaken identity (since many dogs and cats look alike) or which animal belongs to which owner.
This advancement in pet safety technology is another tool in the box for pet owners looking for peace of mind. Historically, the only option we had for identifying a lost pet was to look for a collar and tag around its neck. Though this is still one effective way to tell which pet belongs to which family, tags and collars can unfortunately fall off and become lost, rendering them useless. For this reason, many owners have opted for pet microchips.
The Safety of Microchips
Some pet parents might have concerns about allergic reactions or internal migration of the microchip. This method of identification has been in use for many years and has been implanted into millions of pets without incident. Newer microchips especially have been improved upon, making the likelihood of rejection or allergic reaction extremely rare.
Thanks to microchips, pets can be reunited with their loving families even years after being separated from them. Speak to your Elk Grove vets about having your canine or feline companion microchipped as soon as possible!
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.