A microchip is a radio-frequency identification transponder, about the size of a grain of rice, that carries a specific identifying number. The ID number is transmitted when the microchip is scanned by a veterinarian or animal shelter. There are no moving parts, no battery, or power requirements. In the vet’s clinic, the microchip can be implanted beneath the flap of skin that hangs loosely between your dog’s shoulder blades. It isn’t any more invasive than a shot.
What does a dog’s microchip do?
Microchip technology is now present everywhere, from computers and cell phones to wild animal implants that allow movement tracking to pet microchips that contain identity data. Depending on what they are used for, different kinds of microchips operate differently.
Pet microchips are intended to serve as a permanent form of identification. RFID tags are the term used to describe these microchip implants. They are docile and tiny, roughly the size of a huge grain of rice. This indicates that they do not actively send any information, rather passively store a unique identifying number. Your dog was implanted with a microchip, but because it lacks a battery and an internal power source, it remains dormant within the dog until a microchip scanner can read it.
How is the microchip put into my dog?
The sterile microchip is scanned before insertion to make sure the transponder’s identifying code matches the one on the package’s bar code label.
Your dog is prepared for the injection once the application gun or syringe is loaded with the needle containing the microchip. The typical location for canine microchip implantation is between the dog’s shoulder blades, along the dorsal midline (the spine). Your dog should be standing or lying on his stomach for proper placement. The needle is swiftly inserted after a small amount of the loose skin between the shoulder blades is carefully pulled up. The microchip is injected into the tissue by depressing the applicator trigger.
The dog is scanned after the chip has been inserted to make sure it is functioning properly.
Does it painful to insert the chip?
The process is quick, safe, and seems to be rather painless. Even in the smallest puppies, the chips are typically implanted without incident. Because of the size of the application needle, some clients elect to have the microchip inserted at the time of spaying or neutering so that the dog can be put to sleep before receiving the injection. The microchip can be inserted whenever it’s convenient, therefore this is not required.
Is there anything else I have to do?
Once your pet has been microchipped, you must register your pet with the relevant organization along with your name and contact information. Your veterinarian will provide you the necessary paperwork, contact details, and any costs that are necessary. The process will be pointless if you don’t register your pet’s microchip identity because no one will be connected to the microchip number.
Make careful to update your pet’s microchip information if you move or change your contact details. This information is required to reconnect you with your pet in the event that it is found after being reported missing.
How is the microchip detected?
A microchip scanner may “read” a microchip by identifying the unique electronic code it contains and showing the identification number on the scanner’s screen.
The microchip scanner will be moved over the full body of the pet in order to verify that the chip is recognized if present because occasionally a microchip may migrate or shift out of position.
All humane societies and animal shelters now have universal microchip scanners and routinely scan all stray and injured animals, if not all of them.
These days, the most, if not all, humane societies and animal shelters have universal microchip scanners and routinely scan all stray and sick animals. There are efforts underway to standardize readers and create easily accessible databases.
My dog always wears a collar with identification tags. Isn’t this enough?
Sadly, collars can crack, come off, or be taken off. Identification tags are simple to read when they are brand-new. However, it can be difficult to read all the writing on them as they get older and more worn.
My dog has a tattoo already. Why should I microchip him?
Unfortunately, it can be very challenging to read tattoos. They are frequently positioned in the flank region, where hair may cover them. Even when they are in the ears, the letters and numerals can eventually become unintelligible due to fading. They are also easily modifiable. Since there are no common databases for this information, even when they are readable, it might be challenging to find out information about the pet and its owner.
The identification number on microchips cannot be tampered with, and they cannot be misread. The owner and pet’s information can typically be easily retrieved from the database.
How much does a dog chip cost?
We’ll cover some frequently asked questions about pet microchips’ price, usefulness, and how they function to assist you reunite with your dog or cat in this blog post.
Microchips, usually referred to as transponders, are used to identify lost or found pets and aid in reuniting them with their owners.
Microchips are described by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as tiny electronic chips that are housed inside a glass cylinder. They resemble rice grains in terms of size. High tech, yes?
Microchips are very small electronic devices, however they don’t need batteries to function. Microchips are inactive until a microchip scanner’s radio frequency activates them (so no, they are not tracking devices and do not work as a GPS).
The pet’s special identifying number appears on the scanner’s screen once it is turned on.
If the ID number is listed with the microchip provider or another registry for microchips, the owner of the pet’s contact details and phone number can be found with ease.
Poll results: Do you microchip your pet?
7,960 pet owners were surveyed by Branded Research for Outward Hound to determine how many of them actually have their animals microchipped. Here is what we discovered:
- 4 out of 10 pet owners have already given their animals microchips.
- 24 percent of pet owners said they haven’t microchipped their animals yet but plan to.
- Male and female pet owners are equally as likely to report microchipping their animals (43% for women and 38% for males).
- Compared to younger pet owners, older pet owners are more likely to have microchipped their animals. In contrast to Gen Z, Millenials, and Gen X, 46% of Baby Boomers have microchipped their dogs.
- 34% of pet owners surveyed said they have no plans to microchip their animals.
What does a pet microchip cost?
Pet microchipping is a cheap procedure. The typical price of a dog microchip is $50. Both the injection process and microchip registration fall under this.
The microchip in your pet is free each year. In the event that your dog or cat is lost without its collar and tags, the cost of the pet microchip is a tiny thing to pay for peace of mind.
How long does a dog’s chip last?
The pet’s microchip receives enough power from the scanner when a microchip scanner is moved over it to communicate the microchip’s ID number. There are no moving components or batteries, so there is nothing to maintain, wear out, or replace. Your pet will have a microchip for life.
Can I use my phone to read the microchip in my dog?
The material that follows was published in December 2016. There has been no update as of today, January 4, 2021, and everything that follows is still true. There are entertainment apps and smoke and mirrors YouTube videos that you can read about below, but it’s all BS.
People regularly ask me, “Are there any apps that can tell whether a dog has a chip, Michael? Exists an Android app that reads pet microchips? Is there an iPhone app that reads pet microchips? Can I use my iPhone to read the microchip in my pet? Others advise me to create a “app that checks for pet microchips.
Regrettably, no. The microchip in a pet cannot and will never be readable by a smart phone. There are not and never will be any apps for the iPhone or Android that do this function. No iPhone, Android device from Google, Samsung, or any other manufacturer will ever have such capacity.
