Many dog owners would agree that one of their biggest fears is being unintentionally separated from their pet. Unfortunately, there are many ways in which this can happen, from your pet escaping your property and running away, to running and becoming lost when you are out on a walk.
Some dogs are stolen by opportunistic or even well-planned thieves who target specific breeds that they know are in demand. And, in some rare cases, someone may take your canine pal believing it to belong to them, leading to an ownership dispute between you. Whatever the reason for your separation from your pet, it can be devastating for both of you.
Pet microchipping is becoming an increasingly popular form of animal identification and one that can help you get reunited with your dog. However, many owners still have concerns about the concept of having their pet chipped. To help you make an informed decision about dog microchipping, here are the pros and cons that you need to know.
Pros of dog microchipping
There are a range of different reasons why owners are turning to microchipping over other conventional forms of identifications such as tags and collars. These include:
ID that cannot be tampered with
Unlike tags and collars which can be removed should someone so wish, such as when stealing an animal, microchips are inserted under the skin. They are about the same size as a grain of rice which also makes it difficult to find the exact location of the chip once inserted.
Similarly, there is no way of doctoring a microchip ID. While a pet with a collar or tag could have the personal information on it replaced by a cunning thief, the ID number stored on the microchip refers to a database entry which can only be changed with the chip provider after passing rigorous security checks.
Microchipping is a painless procedure
Many owners naturally worry that placing a microchip inside their dog’s body will hurt. In fact, the procedure takes seconds and no anesthetic is required. The chip is injected between the shoulder blades, and your dog won’t feel a thing.
The microchip shouldn’t ever need replacing
There are no working parts, and the chip is inactive until it comes into contact with a scanner, ergo it is completely safe and shouldn’t ever need replacing during your pet’s lifetime.
Your personal information is safe
We live in an age where identity theft is a real problem. Fortunately, the personal information that you share when you microchip your pet is very safe. No data other than the unique reference number is stored on the chip itself, and this refers to an entry on a database that is managed and secured by the microchip provider. Only authorized parties have access to this information, such as veterinary offices and animal shelters.
Cons of dog microchipping
While there are no real disadvantages to dog microchipping, there are a few things that you should be aware of about the procedure.
A microchip isn’t a GPS
Contrary to what many people believe, a pet microchip isn’t a GPS locator. This means that it can’t be used to track your dog if he goes missing. The chip is RFID which enables it to be read by a microchip scanner, but only once your pet has been found.
There is a very small risk to your pet’s health
There are some reports of inflammation around the site of the injection and this creates a very small risk to your dog’s health and wellbeing, principally because inflammation has been linked to the development of cancer. Nevertheless, most veterinarians agree that there the benefits of microchipping far outweigh the risks.
If you would like to discuss dog microchipping in further detail, our knowledgeable team would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
