Why Microchipping Your Dog is a Good Idea 

The sad truth is that hundreds of dogs go missing every year. Losing your pet can be incredibly traumatic, and no one should experience that. Most pet parents protect their dogs with collars and ID tags. However, more than this may be needed as the collars and ID tags can be lost or removed. Our article discusses microchipping, which can be an extra precaution to keep your four-legged friend safe.

Let’s start by explaining what microchips are in the first place. Microchips are mini computer chips that encode a unique identification number to help reunite you with your lost pet. The microchip is no bigger than a grain of rice. It is placed under your pet’s skin with a needle and syringe. One of the best things about microchips is that they will never break or fall off, compared to collars and ID tags. Microchips work by receiving a radio signal from a scanner and transmitting the encoded chip identification number back to the scanner. The pet owner has the chip ID number in hand.

Many studies show the effectiveness of microchipping pets. According to a 2009 study from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, dogs and cats with microchips are more likely to be returned to their owners than pets without. Another study showed that dogs with microchips were 2.5 times more likely to be returned home than those without. As you can see, microchipping makes a huge difference!

Ultimately, the purpose of the microchip is to reunite lost or stolen pets with their owners. For the microchip to work, it needs to be registered, and your contact information must be updated. It is a great idea to update your information and provide several emergency contacts in case your pet gets lost while you are out of town. We hope that you understand that microchipping your pet is a good idea. Take extra precautions to ensure your pet is safe!