Everything You Need to Know About How Dog Microchips Work

Dog microchips are a simple and effective way to ensure your furry friend can be identified and returned if they ever get lost. They're a small device, about the size of a grain of rice, that's implanted under your dog's skin.

The microchip is encoded with a unique identification number, which is linked to your contact information. This information is stored in a database that can be accessed by animal shelters, veterinary clinics, and other organizations.

Once your dog's microchip is implanted, it's a permanent and safe procedure that doesn't require batteries or maintenance.

A microchip is a small RFID tag, about the size of a grain of rice, that's injected under your dog's skin.

This tiny tag has a unique number tied directly to your pet and your personal information, which is registered in a database.

Having a microchip is a great way to ensure your dog's safe return if they ever get lost. A microchip is a small RFID tag, about the size of a grain of rice, that's injected under your dog's skin.

Even with a collar and tags, there's still a risk of them breaking off or becoming hard to read over time. This is why a microchip is a permanent form of identification for your dog.

Your dog's microchip is tied directly to your personal information, which is registered in a database. This means that if your dog is lost, the microchip can be scanned and your dog can be returned to you.

It's never too late to microchip your dog, so don't wait if you haven't already.

A microchip is about the size of a raw grain of rice and is made of biocompatible material.

The implantation procedure is permanent and doesn't hurt any more than any other injection, with no need for local anesthetic.

A veterinarian implants the microchip into the skin beneath your dog's shoulder blades, a placement that's often done by local shelters at a reduced cost.

Having your dog microchipped means that a small RFID tag, about the size of a grain of rice, is injected under the skin of your pet. This tag has a unique number that is tied directly to your pet and your personal information, which is registered in a database.

The microchip is made of biocompatible material and is implanted into the skin beneath your dog's shoulder blades. This placement is permanent, and the implantation procedure doesn't hurt any more than a routine vaccination.

A microchip is about the size of a raw grain of rice, and it's implanted using a large syringe. Your vet will use a scanner to check that the microchip is working properly, which involves sending a signal to the implanted chip and receiving its unique number.

Each microchip has a unique set of numbers that are tied specifically to that chip. When your pet is microchipped, you register the chip with your name, address, and phone number, along with any other required information.

The microchip implantation procedure is essentially painless, and no anesthetic is required. The pet's reaction will be consistent with that of a vaccination injection. The implant procedure is similar to administering a vaccine or a routine shot.

Here's a brief overview of the microchip implantation process:

Microchips have different frequencies, which can affect how easily they're read by shelters and veterinary clinics. The most common frequency in the U.S. used to be 125kHz, but it's not the only one.

A 134kHz chip, introduced in 2004, is considered the "global standard" for pet microchips, as it's used by the rest of the world. This microchip has a 15-digit numeric code that uses 0-9, with the first three digits representing a country code or a manufacturer's code.

The 128 kHz chip, introduced in 2007, can be read by many scanners, but not all. This frequency is less common than the others.

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Virtually all shelters and veterinary clinics have scanners that can read most frequencies, including the new ISO standard. This is because there are already over 70,000 "universal scanners" in the U.S. that can read all frequencies of microchips ever sold here.

If you travel outside the U.S. with your pet, it's likely that your pet will need a microchip to enter the foreign country. In that case, it's best to have your pet implanted with an ISO chip, since most countries outside the U.S. use the ISO standard.

Here are the different frequencies of microchips:

It's worth noting that multiple microchips can interfere with accurate readings, so it's best not to microchip your pet again if they already have a microchip. You should ask your veterinarian which microchip frequency their clinic recommends.