
Chipping a dog tracking made easy is a game-changer for pet owners who want to ensure their furry friends are safe and accounted for. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, from understanding how it works to choosing the right microchip.
A microchip is a tiny device about the size of a grain of rice that's implanted under your dog's skin. It contains a unique identification number that can be read by a scanner.
The microchip is not a GPS tracker, but rather a way to identify your dog if they get lost. It's a simple and non-invasive procedure that can be done by a veterinarian.
The American Animal Hospital Association recommends microchipping all dogs, and it's estimated that over 10 million dogs are microchipped in the United States alone.
What Is Chipping a Dog?
Microchipping a dog involves implanting a small electronic ID tag under a dog's skin, typically between their shoulders.
A microchip conveys crucial ownership information to facilitate reunions between lost dogs and their owners.
Microchips can be scanned by your vet or at humane societies and animal shelters, where missing dogs often end up.
Thousands of pets have been reunited with their families thanks to a microchip implant.
Benefits and Purpose
Microchipping a dog is a standard practice for pet identification that's widely endorsed by veterinary professionals and animal welfare organizations.
Microchips can be scanned by your vet or at humane societies and animal shelters, where missing dogs often end up. Thousands of pets have been reunited with their families thanks to a microchip implant.
Tracking Purpose
Microchips are commonly used to identify and locate lost pets, but their purpose is often misunderstood.
Most microchips currently in use do not have GPS capabilities, so they can't track your dog's location in real-time.
Their primary function is to store a unique ID number that can be read by a scanner at a vet's office or shelter.
This ID number is linked to your contact information, allowing you to be reunited with your pet if it's ever lost.
Microchips can be a reliable way to ensure your dog's safe return, but they're not a substitute for proper identification and a secure living situation.
How Effective is?

As long as your address and phone number are up to date, the microchip will always be linked to you. This is because each microchip has a unique set of numbers that are tied specifically to that chip, and registering your pet with your name, address, and phone number ensures a direct link.
Even if a microchip travels over time, it will still pick up on the universal scanner. This means that as long as the information is up to date, a lost dog can be easily reunited with its owner.
Microchips are tamper-proof, permanent, and virtually harmless, making them a reliable form of identification. This is in contrast to collars, which can get lost or forgotten, and tattoos, which can fade over time.
For your interest: How Long Can a Dog Smell Another Dogs Scent
How to Chip a Dog
Having your dog microchipped is a straightforward process that involves implanting a small RFID tag under their skin. This tag has a unique number tied to your pet and your personal information, which is registered in a database.
A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is injected under the skin by a veterinarian. The veterinarian knows exactly where to place the microchip and how to recognize any potential problems.
To ensure your pet's safety during the procedure, it's best to have a veterinarian or their experienced veterinary technician implant the microchip. This is especially important since the needle used for the procedure is relatively large.
How to Use
To use a dog microchip, you'll need to register it with a national pet recovery database. This is where the unique identifier in the chip does its job, linking you and your pet together.
A service like AKC Reunite is a good choice, as it's a member of the AAHA LookUp, which can check against hundreds of registries' databases using the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool.
Enter all relevant contact information when you register your dog's microchip, including both landline and cell phone numbers for you and anyone else in your household who is responsible for ownership.
Keep your contact information up to date with the registry, too, so you don't miss a call telling you that your dog has been found.
Some registries offer a Lost Pet Alert that broadcasts your dog's information to a network of vets, shelters, and volunteers in your area.
A microchip can get your pet home within the hour if they get lost, as long as your address and phone number are up to date.
Most lost dogs are found without any tags or identification besides the microchip, making it a sure form of identification.
Updating your information on a microchip is easy and free, whereas updating tags can be time-consuming and costly.
Visit Preparation
Before you bring your furry friend in for their microchip, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Make sure your dog is on a leash when you arrive. This is a requirement for the safety of both the staff and your pet.
You'll also want to consider bringing a muzzle if your dog is prone to aggression.
If your dog is showing any signs of illness, they may not be able to get microchipped.
Keep in mind that some breeds, like English Bulldogs, Pugs, and French Bulldogs, are not eligible for microchipping at this clinic.
To ensure a smooth process, it's best to arrive with your dog in a calm and well-behaved state.
Here's a quick rundown of what to expect:
Home Performance
Microchipping your dog can't be done at home, it's best to have a veterinarian do it. They know the right placement for the microchip and can recognize any potential problems.
Veterinarians should be the ones to implant the microchip, and they'll typically have an experienced veterinary technician do it under their supervision.
Scanning Services
Most veterinary clinics, animal shelters, and pet stores have a microchip scanner, so you can be sure your dog's microchip will be scanned if they're found by a good Samaritan.
Any veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or pet store can scan your dog's microchip using a scanner similar to the one demonstrated in a video.
Animal hospitals, shelters, and rescue organizations typically have these scanners and can easily access the information on the chip.
If your pet is lost and picked up by a good Samaritan or animal control, they'll be brought to an animal hospital, shelter, or rescue, and the microchip will be scanned.
The microchip is always scanned immediately after implantation to ensure it was successful, and then as needed if found by a good Samaritan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a dog tracking chip last?
A microchip designed for pet tracking can last for 25 years, ensuring your dog's safety throughout its lifetime.
How to locate a dog with a chip?
To locate a dog with a microchip, enter the microchip number in the online registry and wait for the microchip company to contact you with the dog's location. You can also call local shelters and animal hospitals to inquire about the dog's whereabouts.
Sources
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/home-living/how-do-dog-microchips-work/
- https://www.haywoodvet.com/services/dogs/dog-microchip
- https://www.johnsonanimalclinic.com/services/dogs/blog/everything-you-need-know-about-microchipping-your-dog
- https://animalfoundation.com/low-cost-vet-clinic/cat-dog-microchipping
- https://www.petsbest.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-microchipping-dogs
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