Everything You Need to Know About Microchipping Your Dog
What is a dog microchip and what does it do?
A dog microchip is a small 12 mm chip that we inject under the pet's fur into the skin. It's inert, meaning it doesn't have any kind of reaction with the dog, and it sits there for the lifetime of the dog. It has a very unique number that is tailored to the pet, and it stays with them for a lifetime.
Dr. Thomas Caltabilota and Tater
Can microchips be used to track my dog?
They're not a GPS tracker, at least not yet. But if your pet is ever picked up by animal control, if it escapes the yard or gets away from you for any reason, the first thing any animal facility is going to do is scan your pet for that chip. And that chip will always be linked to you as long as it's registered to you.
How do I get my dog microchipped?
It's a pretty big needle, so we prefer to do it during surgery. We do it a lot in young puppies and kittens when we spay or neuter them. However, that's happening later and later for breed reasons nowadays. So, we can do it on an outpatient basis. It's a pretty big needle, but we usually are able to distract them with treats or toys or anything else that just takes their focus away, and we can usually just microchip them without them even knowing it in many of those cases.
Is there a certain type of microchip to get for my dog?
The one that we use is a Home Again microchip. The reason we like it so much is because it also has a temperature scanner on it or a temperature sensor on it. So, it can give us information about what the pet's body temperature is without sticking a thermometer in their butt. I think pets appreciate that. The microchip that we also use is ISO certified, meaning that it's compatible with a universal scanner. If the shelter is using a different scanner than our chip, it'll still read the chip and give you the number.
How much does microchipping cost?
It varies, but right now we charge about $90 to do the microchip, plus the cost of the exam if we haven't seen your pet before.
Does microchipping hurt dogs?
Some dogs react differently than others. Some pets are a little more sensitive than others. We've done a pretty good job figuring out how to distract pets well enough that we can give the chip without them even noticing it, similar to giving a vaccine. If your pet reacts to that, then they may react to a microchip, too, just with pain. But usually, it's a very quick procedure, and we're in and out within seconds.
Does microchipping a dog require surgery or anesthesia
It does not require surgery or anesthesia. We prefer to do it under anesthesia just because that's the opportunity, but it doesn't have to be done that way. It would be very rare.
Is it possible for my dog to have a negative reaction to a microchip?
The most common reactions that we see are site reactions, just pets scratching at the site or irritation from where we gave it. But I haven't seen anything major. I haven't seen any reaction.
Are there major risks associated with having a microchip implanted on my dog?
Technically, pets can react to anything that we give them, but the data has shown that that's extremely rare.
How is the microchip registered and maintained?
The chips that we use have a 12-digit unique code that we send home with each pet owner. Our chips are autoregistered. So, as soon as we give the chip, we can let Home Again know who the client is and what their address is and phone number are, and all the information about them. We always recommend that clients go online, double-check all the information, and make sure that it's all accurate. If they ever need to change any of that information for whatever reason, if they move or change their phone number, we want to make sure that that information is up to date. So, we give them all that information so that they can double-check it.
How can I find a lost dog using a microchip?
There is a national pet registry, and I'll put that information in on the video, where you can type in the number and get more information at least about the chip manufacturer, and try to trace it back to the owner if you do find a missing pet. That's why we try to at least make sure that we're letting pet owners know that they should double-check all that information, make sure it's up to date, so if someone does pick up your pet, we want to make sure that all that information is accurate.
Who can scan my dog’s microchip information?
Most animal facilities, animal control, ASPCA, Humane Society, and most vet clinics have universal scanners, and they're using universal scanners to get that information. So, if your pet is picked up or if someone finds your pet, bringing them to the closest animal facility that they know of should be able to scan them.
Will a microchip really make it more likely for me ot get my pet back if it is lost?
I think so. It's the only thing that we have right now that works really well. I usually discuss with pet owners that the most common way a pet is going to get away from you is by slipping out of their collar. While Apple trackers that people put on their dogs' collars, they slip off. And so there's no other way for you to track your pet unless they physically have something attached to their body. So microchips, at least, are the next best thing, that if they do get picked up by a police officer or animal control, the first thing they're going to do again is scan them. And with that number, they will get back to you.
How can I find out if my new dog needs to be microchipped?
Coming into the vet, bringing them to an animal facility, the first thing that we're going to do is scan them and confirm whether or not they have a chip. We can do a microchip at that visit or soon after if we plan on spaying or neutering them.
What do I do if my dog has a microchip from a previous owner?
Finding out who that chip was made by is the first step, and then getting in touch with that manufacturer with proof of change of ownership to make sure that the information that you're giving them is accurate. That is one way that you can change ownership with them.
Are there other smart products that can connect to my dog’s microchip?
Not that I know of. We're hoping that one day this will have some kind of GPS capability to it. But the chip itself, while we're really happy with the way that it gives us information about the pet's temperature, so far, that's been the next great step, part of it.
Are there any privacy concerns with microchipping my dog? Will someone else be able to track us?
No, not that I know of. That chip is unique to you, and the only information they get is reported by the manufacturer. And that information can't be changed without the owner's consent.
If you have questions, we would love to answer them for you. Please give us a call at the office at (848) 217-5000, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!