Having an identification tag in the form of a dog microchip betters the chances of getting your furry friend back. This is because efforts to eliminate risks may not always prevent accidents, and there may be situations when your best intentions go wary, and your dog gets lost.
Tiny electronic devices similar to a grain’s size, microchips represent the latest technological evolution to protect your dog. The chance of getting back a lost pet is more than twice in favor of microchipped dogs. Implanted on a dog’s skin through subcutaneous needles, these transponders contain identification information. When someone finds the dog with a chip, the person reports to a shelter or vet, who scans the it to identify the dog’s owner. It reveals the registered contact details enabling them to contact you and hand over your lost dog.
Here are eight reasons why you should consider microchipping your dog!
#1. The Fear is Real
The American Humane Association warns that one in every three dogs is at the risk of getting lost during their lifetime. Close to 10 million pets run away from their house or are stolen every year. The Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families rues that only 23% of dogs return to their original owners while the most end up in overcrowded shelters. Microchipping dogs offers an improved chance of getting back your lost dog and saving them from a terrible life in shelters or streets.
#2. Proven Benefits
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, dogs with chips have a 52% chance of returning to their owners compared to 22% for dogs without it. It sponsored a study that took into account 7,700 pets, who landed in shelters following their separation from their parents. The study also found that updating the owner address on the microchip registry database could significantly increase the rate of finding lost dogs.
#3. Easy, Quick, Trouble-Free to Implant
Implanting a microchip doesn’t require your dog to undergo any surgery. It is inserted through a hypodermic needle just like getting a vaccine shot. No need for sedation! The microchip is registered with your information prior to its placement. One can have this procedure anytime though many owners prefer to have the procedure alongside the neutering of dogs.
#4. Outweighs Collars
Though a collar is a cost-effective solution to protect dogs, it may break or fall off. You have to change collars at regular intervals, as these get old or worn. The person stealing your dog may also remove the collar to erase your dog’s identification. However, with a microchipped dog, you get rid of these concerns.
#5. Safe, Secure, Long Lasting
Microchips are safe, secure, and last for 25 years. The procedure to implant a microchip is relatively pain-free and largely without complications. Even the tiniest puppies rarely suffer from any incident and only experience minimal to no pain. Adult dogs barely feel the pinch.
Since these microchips are passive, there is no radiation risk in microchipped dogs. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “The risk that your animal will develop cancer due to its microchip is very, very low, and is far outweighed by the improved likelihood that you will get your animal back if it becomes lost.”
These chips usually don’t migrate. A handheld scanner can detect the microchip, which is easy to read even after migrating from the original place of implant. No one can remove them from your dog and once implanted, it remains for a lifetime.
#6. Easy to Update Information
The microchip in a dog carries an alphanumeric number. You have your address and contact details registered in the microchip database against this for the identification of your dog. If you move to a new address, there is no need to implant a new chip. All that you need is to update the information in the database.
Similarly, if you adopt a microchipped dog, you won’t require to add a new microchip. You can contact a vet or shelter to read the chip and then write to the registry to change the dog’s ownership details.
#7. Proof of Ownership of a Stolen Dog
If you are able to spot your stolen dog, the microchip inside the pet helps prove your ownership. A scan of the microchipped dog reveals the exact information about who is the rightful pet parent.
#8. No Age or Size Limit to Implant
Whether you have a puppy or a senior dog, you can implant them with a microchip. It doesn’t matter If you have a small Yorkshire terrier or a massive great dane. Dogs of all ages and sizes can be microchipped. Also, carrying a microchip doesn’t impact the energy and activity level of a dog.
We at PetFitness pride ourselves in giving customized support to pet parents in order to help you better understand your dog’s needs. We hope this article gave you good insight on the pros of microchips!
