3 Reasons to Microchip Your Pet
Have you ever had your dog get away from you while on a walk or escape from your fenced yard? Has your indoor cat ever slipped outside while the door was briefly open? It’s terrible to think about your beloved pet getting lost, so it’s essential to take every possible step to make sure your pet can be reunited with you if it should happen.
The team at Hampton Veterinary Hospital wants to help ensure our clients and their pets stay together. Pet microchipping is a simple, effective way to ensure your furry friend stays safe and secure with you.
Here are the top 3 reasons to microchip your pet:
1. Microchipping Your Pet is Quick and Painless
Pet microchipping is safe and painless and can be done at any age or size. Microchipping is always an option, whether you’re bringing home a puppy or kitten, or adopting an adult dog.
Your pet can be microchipped in a matter of minutes. The microchip is inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades where your pet won’t feel it. It’s roughly the size of a grain of rice and stays in your pet’s body for life. The vet will typically administer a local anesthetic to numb the area, then inject the microchip using a needle-like tool.
After microchip insertion, your pet may experience slight tenderness if the area is touched. You may notice minor swelling in the place where the chip was inserted, but this resolves quickly. Many pets and their owners notice no side effects at all.
2. Microchipping is Effective and Permanent
Microchips are permanent. Even if your pet gets lost and ends up far away from home, it’s still possible for them to be found and returned to you.
So how does pet microchipping work? Every microchip is programmed with its own unique code by the manufacturer, and the information encoded in it is linked to a database. A scanning device—found in shelters, police departments, and veterinary offices across the country—is held over the pet’s body to read the microchip.
Once scanned, the microchip’s unique code will ultimately lead to you and your location. If your pet has been microchipped and registered, you’ll be notified.
It’s important to note that even a microchipped pet should still wear a collar with an ID tag. Microchipping is a highly effective added precaution, especially if your pet slips out of their collar.
3. Microchipping Significantly Increases the Likelihood of Being Reunited With Your Pet
Microchips are universal. They don’t require batteries and aren’t dependent on any single tracking system. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that if your pet gets lost, the microchip will help bring them back home to you.
Keeping Pets and Families Together
Many pet owners only think about microchipping once their pet becomes lost. Taking this step when you bring a new pet into your home will help ensure you’ll get your furry friend back if you should become separated.
Hampton Veterinary Hospital recommends that new pet parents schedule pet microchipping along with an initial examination within the first ten days of a pet joining your family. Request an appointment or call the office at (603) 926-7978.