What You Need to Know About Microchipping Your Pet
Even if your pet is already microchipped, we know many pet owners like yourself may still have questions about microchipping. That’s why we’re breaking down important highlights on microchipping, from implantation to the monitoring of your pet’s behavior with microchip-enabled smart pet tech.
What is a Microchip?
A microchip is a small device about the size of a grain of rice that is inserted under your pet’s skin between their shoulder blades, giving them a permanent and unique identification number. This is a simple procedure, much like giving a vaccine, that does not require your pet to be sedated.
When Should I Microchip My Pet?
It’s never too late to microchip your pet, and it can easily be done at your veterinary office when your pet is getting vaccinated, spayed, neutered, or at their annual checkup. Your pet can also be microchipped at some animal shelters or at community-organized microchipping events.
Why Should I Microchip My Pet?
It can be easy to dismiss the importance of microchipping your pet, but the reality is that about 10 million pets are lost every year, according to American Humane.1 And 1 in 3 pets will go missing in their lifetime.2 What’s even more tragic is that only 2 percent of cats and 15 percent of dogs without ID tags or microchips are reunited with their family.1
That’s why microchipping your pet is so important—it gives your pet the best chance of returning home safely when used properly.
Important Microchipping Facts:
A Microchip Is NOT a GPS Device
A common misconception is that microchips act like a GPS device, geolocating your pet from any location. Microchips are used to identify a lost pet when scanned – typically at a veterinary clinic or shelter. Their unique microchip number is linked to their pet owner’s contact information.
Microchips Do Not Store Personal Information
So how does scanning a microchip help lost pets?
Once you microchip your pet, your veterinarian, adoption agency or breeder will provide you with a microchip number.
You’ll then need to register your pet’s identification number, along with your name, address and contact information with a pet recovery database like the HomeAgain® National Pet Recovery Database.
It’s Important to Register Your Pet’s Microchip
Registering your pet’s microchip is imperative. Should your pet ever become lost and turned in to a veterinary clinic or shelter, they will be able to scan your pet’s chip and notify the database where your pet is registered. This database will then notify you of your pet’s location so they can be returned home safely.
Make Sure to Keep Your Pet’s Microchip Up to Date
Only 58% of microchipped pets in the US have properly registered chips in a pet recover database, making finding lost pets that much harder.3 It’s important to make sure the information linked to your pet’s microchip is always up to date – especially if your contact information changes. You can easily update this information with the pet recovery database you’ve registered with.
Go Further with Your Pet’s Microchip
The good news is that an emergency doesn’t need to happen in order to enjoy the benefits of microchipping your pet. With Sure Petcare’s unique line of smart technology products, you’ll get exclusive insights into your pet’s wellness and behavior.
Take the SureFeed® Microchip Pet Feeder Connect, for example. This bowl connects with your pet’s microchip, only opening for your pet at mealtime to prevent food stealing. It also tracks how much, how often, and when your pet eats via the Sure Petcare App.
Similar to the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect, Felaqua® Connect tracks how much, how often, and when your pet drinks water by syncing with their microchip.
Through these and other Sure Petcare microchip-enabled products, you can work with your veterinarian to make more informed decisions regarding your pet’s health and well-being thanks to this real-time data that’s compiled into the Sure Petcare App.
So regardless of whether your pet is safe and sound at home or the unthinkable happens, you can enjoy the peace of mind knowing that your pet’s microchip is there to help bring you closer to your furry family member.
1. https://www.americanhumane.org/blog/every-day-is-tag-day-is-your-pet-protected/
2. 2021 Sure Petcare survey of 9,841 US dog owners.
3. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013185154.htm
Felaqua® Connect is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent diseases or conditions and does not replace veterinary care.
Copyright © 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved.
