A microchip is the mysterious little device that your veterinarian said your dog should have in case Fido ever gets lost. While that sounds great, many owners don’t have a clear idea of what a microchip does and how it can help keep your family together in the long run. “A microchip is a radio-frequency identification transponder that carries a unique identification number, and is roughly the size of a grain of rice”. (Source AKC) The microchip is administered using a specific syringe that comes from the manufacturer with the microchip inside. The chip will remain implanted for your dog’s entire life and will never be unreadable.
How Does the Microchip Work?
When a lost pet is brought to a shelter or veterinary clinic, a microchip scanner is used to pull up the number from the pet’s microchip. This number can then be entered into an online tool to identify what company the microchip is from. Even though there are many microchip companies out there, the individual does not have to know what company the chip is from before entering the number into the database. Finally, the company can be called, given the pet’s microchip number, and the owners will subsequently be contacted.
Microchips do not work like GPS systems where you can track your dog’s location. In order for the lost pet to be returned to the owner, there are a few criteria that need to be met.
- The first is to make sure your contact information is always up to date with the microchip company. That means that anytime you move or get a new phone number, you should call them because if they don’t have your updated information, you cannot be contacted even if someone finds your pet.
- Secondly, your pet has to be found in order for the microchip to be useful. This is the biggest limitation of microchips.
- Finally, the person who finds your dog has to know to take him to a shelter or veterinary office to get the chip scanned. To ensure this happens, it is recommended to either buy a tag that advertises your pet’s microchip status or put the one that came with the chip on your dog’s collar. That way anyone who finds him will know there is a way to reunite him with his family.
Is Microchipping Safe?
It is completely understandable to have concerns when considering elective procedures for your beloved pup. Rest assured that the microchipping process is minimally invasive and the actual microchip poses no risks for Fido. The syringe used to insert the microchip needs to have a fairly large needle in order to accommodate the microchip. Because of this, it is often recommended to microchip your pet while they are under anesthesia for their spay or neuter surgery. If that is not possible, the chip can be given while awake with only minor discomfort for your dog.
The microchip does use radio-frequency in order to transmit the identification number to a scanner, but this is no more harmful than the waves given off by everyday electrical appliances. The risks far outweigh the benefit when it comes to microchipping and making sure your dog gets home safe.
Another important way to keep your dog safe is to have him properly trained in appropriate behaviors. Dogs are more confident and less afraid when they understand the rules, and the rules are consistent. However, you can also keep them safer if they understand basic commands such as “come” or “stay”. The staff at Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training is dedicated to your dog’s overall safety – call us today for training and obedience class options.
