Fact vs. Fiction: Should I Microchip My Pet?

Microchips are a great way to keep your pet safe and sound. Just like with regular ID tags, there's no harm in having them wear one!  This blog will hopefully clear up any misinformation about microchipping so you understand how they work and why it's so important to microchip your pets.

Fiction: Microchips can be tampered with or altered.

Fact: Microchips can not be tampered with or altered without the main database being changed.  The pet’s and owner’s information are uploaded into a database and kept there safely for the life of the pet.  The information associated with each unique chip number can only be altered by contacting the company in charge of the database your pet is registered with directly and changing the information.

Fiction: Micropping procedures are painful for dogs and cats.

Fact: A microchip is placed under the skin using a 12-gauge needle.  This needle is larger than the typical needle used to administer vaccinations to dogs and cats so it is not unusual for them to react to the placement of the needle under the skin.  After the initial placement of the needle stick though, there is no additional pain associated with microchipping.

Fiction: Microchips need to be replaced from time to time.

Fact: A single microchip will remain effective for the life of the animal.

Fiction: Microchips serve as a GPS device.

Fact: Microchips have no access to GPS and can not be used to track an animal.  They are purely a permanent form of identification that your pet cannot lose.

Fiction: Microchips are dangerous to your pet's health.

Fact: Microchips are very safe and have never been reported to negatively affect a pet’s health.

If you have any questions about your pet’s current microchip or if you’d like to schedule an appointment to have them microchipped, feel free to call our fur-riendly team members at Carrollton Animal Hospital at (330) 627-4898 or send us an email at hospital@carrolltonanimal.com.