Every year, many lost dogs are never reunited with their families. A microchip is one of the simplest ways to improve the odds that your dog finds their way home. Here is how microchips work, what they can and cannot do, and the one step many owners forget.
What is a microchip?
A pet microchip is a tiny electronic chip, roughly the size of a grain of rice, enclosed in a biocompatible glass or polymer capsule. It carries a unique identification number. The chip has no battery; it is activated only when a scanner passes over it, which reads the number.
How is it implanted?
A veterinarian injects the chip under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades, using a needle that is larger than a standard vaccine needle. For most dogs it feels much like a routine injection, and no anesthesia is needed. Many owners choose to have it done during another procedure, such as spay or neuter surgery. Puppies can be microchipped at a young age; ask your vet when it makes sense for yours.
What a microchip does and does not do
- It does: store a unique ID number that links to your contact information in a registry database.
- It does not: track your dog’s location. A microchip is not a GPS device. If you want real-time tracking, you would need a separate GPS collar.
- It does not: store your contact details on the chip itself. The information lives in the registry, which is why registration matters so much.
The step many owners miss: registration
A microchip is only useful if the number is registered to you with current contact information. When a vet clinic or shelter scans a found dog, they look up the number in a registry database. If the chip was never registered, or the phone number is out of date, the trail ends there.
- Register the chip as soon as it is implanted, or when you adopt a dog that already has one.
- Update your details whenever you move or change your phone number or email.
- If you adopted your dog, make sure ownership has been transferred to you, not left with the shelter or previous owner.
Do microchips have risks?
Microchipping is considered very safe. Problems are uncommon and usually minor, such as mild swelling at the injection site. Chips can occasionally move slightly from where they were placed, which is one reason it is a good idea to have the chip scanned now and then. Serious complications are rare. Talk to your veterinarian if you have specific concerns.
Check that the chip works
Ask your vet to scan the microchip at your dog’s annual checkup. This confirms that it can still be read and gives you a reminder to check that your registration details are up to date.
Microchips and travel
Many countries require pets to be microchipped for international travel, often with a chip that meets the ISO 11784/11785 standard so it can be read by standard scanners. If you plan to travel abroad with your dog, check the destination’s requirements well in advance, as there may also be rules about vaccines and paperwork.
A microchip plus a collar tag
Microchips and ID tags work best together. A tag with your phone number allows anyone who finds your dog to call you immediately, without a scanner. The microchip is a permanent backup if the collar comes off. Using both gives your dog the best chance of coming home quickly.
If your dog goes missing
- Contact your microchip registry and report your dog as lost.
- Call local veterinary clinics and animal shelters, and visit shelters in person if possible.
- Post on local lost-pet groups and community pages with a clear photo.
- Search your neighborhood, especially at quiet times of day, and leave familiar-smelling items outside your home.
This article is for general information only. Ask your veterinarian about microchipping and registration options in your area.