Microchipping Dogs, Cats and Other Pets: Microchips can Help Lost or Missing Pets Return Home

Microchips are small devices which are implanted under the skin of a dog, cat or other pet. Microchips provide permanent identification of the pet and can be a huge asset in finding a lost or missing pet.

Microchips are implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades of a dog, cat or other pet using a large needle. The implantation process is very similar to what occurs when a pet receives a vaccination or any other injection.

Before the implantation procedure, the area where the implantation is to be performed is cleaned with alcohol or another form of disinfectant. A specially designed sterile needle is used to implant the microchip.

The microchip itself is a tiny device which is about the size of a grain of rice. Implantation is quick and painless, with only a slight momentary sting being experienced when the microchip is actually implanted.

Microchipping a dog, cat or other pet does not usually require anesthesia or sedation. The procedure is normally completed within a matter of moments.

Microchips are imbedded with specific combinations of numbers and letters which are unique to each microchip. The code on the microchip is read with a scanner, a hand-held piece of equipment which is passed over the skin of the pet. As the scanner is passed over the area where the microchip is located, it reads and displays the microchip code.

When a pet is implanted with a microchip, the microchip is permanent and remains with the animal in a functional state for the remainder of the pet's life. Any time the pet is lost or missing, animal control personnel can use a scanner to identify the animal and contact the pet's owner.

Registering the Microchip for the Pet

Microchips must be registered with a database which records the pet owner's personal information, such as name, contact numbers and address. The database then connects the owner's information to the code embedded into the microchip which has been implanted in the pet.

It is important for pet owners to remember to update the information provided to the microchip database in the event that their information changes. Without current contact information on record for the owner, microchips are useless and cannot be used to contact the pet owner.

Myths and Concerns About Microchips and Pets

There has been some concern about cancer risks associated with microchip implants in pets. At the current time, there is no scientific evidence which connects microchips with an increased cancer risk. There have been some anectdotal reports, however. Most experts feel that the cancer risk associated with microchips is quite small. It is generally accepted that the risk of a pet never returning home in the event he becomes lost or escapes from the house far outweighs the risk of implanting a microchip to facilitate recovery of the pet.

Infections are another concern which many pet owners worry about, but the risk of infection is negligible if the microchip is implanted by a professional using recommended techniques (preparing the implantation prior to implantation, using sterile procedure during the implantation process).

Excess bleeding is another concern which some pet owners express. However, when a microchip is implanted correctly in a healthy dog, cat or other pet, there is very little if any bleeding associated. The risk of bleeding during the implantation procedure is no higher than the risk of a pet bleeding while receiving a vaccination or other type of injection.

Those who oppose microchipping pets also express fears of the microchip migrating from the original implantation site. While migration of a microchip can occur, this is rare and generally not dangerous or painful for the pet.

The copyright of the article Microchipping Dogs, Cats and Other Pets in Pet Products is owned by Lorie Huston. Permission to republish Microchipping Dogs, Cats and Other Pets in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Jun 9, 2009 8:24 AM

Guest :

While this article contains very useful information it doesn't discuss something very important – there are currently two chip frequencies available and not all shelters/vet offices have the ability to read both. This can lead to a chipped animal being euthanized. Make sure to do your research on this subject! Find out what type of chip is being used in your pet before it is inserted. Call your local shelters to find out if they have the scanner to read that kind of chip.

Jun 9, 2009 12:22 PM

Lorie Huston :

Mike makes a good point, but is basing his comment on out-of-date information.

While it used to be true that microchip scanners could not read all frequencies of microchips, the newer generation of scanners can detect all chips. In some instances, the information may be encoded so that the identification sequence of the individual microchip will not be readable by a scanner manufactured by another microchip provider. However, the scanner will still indicate that there is a microchip present, thus preventing the euthanasia of the pet prior to further investigation (i.e. taking steps to "read" the microchip with another scanner and notify the pet owner).

Most microchip manufacturers are more than willing to provide universal scanners at no cost to shelters and other humane organizations, so there is really no good reason these organizations should be using older scanners that do not read all microchip frequencies.

Jul 15, 2009 7:45 PM

Guest :

My cat is bleeding where his microchip was put in like a year ago. Would it be bothering him

Jul 15, 2009 8:16 PM

Lorie Huston :

I have no way of knowing why your cat is bleeding. This is not normal and may or may not be related to the microchip. At any rate, your cat needs to be examined by your veterinarian. Good luck and keep us posted.