Microchipping is a great way to ensure a dog has a permanent form of identification. However, potential drawbacks to microchipping include:
Microchip Migration
Microchips can migrate from the shoulder blades to any part of the dog’s body, including the tip of the tail. If the microchip migrates, detection is dependent on the dog’s entire body being scanned – not just the shoulders.
Microchip Must be Registered
Once a dog is microchipped, the chip must be registered. While the code on a dog’s chip is unique, it is useless if the pet owner has not completed the registration process to link their contact information to the dog’s microchip.
Contact Information Must be Kept up to Date
All too often a dog has a microchip, but the owner’s phone number has changed. To update the contact information associated with your pet’s identification number, simply contact the microchip manufacturer.
Finders Must Check for a Microchip
Not everyone is familiar with microchips or will think to check for one. If a microchip is a dog’s only form of identification there is a possibility it will never be scanned.
How can I Scan my Pet’s Microchip?
To check that your pet’s microchip is working properly and that your information is up to date, ask your veterinarian to scan your dog at his or her next checkup. A veterinarian will have a microchip scanner that scans microchips from all manufacturers and frequencies, and will easily be able to tell you whether the information on file is correct.
Although there are certain disadvantages of microchipping, the benefits outweigh the risks for sure.
