What is a Microchip?
A microchip is a tiny electronic chip that is inserted under a dog’s skin by a veterinarian. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and stores a unique identification number (Petbliss). The microchip itself does not contain any personal information about the dog or owner. It simply functions as a permanent ID tag if the dog gets lost.
Microchips are commonly implanted between the dog’s shoulder blades by a vet using a specialized syringe. The process only takes a few seconds and is no more painful for dogs than a routine shot. Once implanted, the chip remains in the dog permanently.
If the lost dog arrives at an animal shelter or vet’s office, they can scan the chip using a special RFID reader to access the ID number. This allows shelters to contact the registered owner of the dog through a microchip registry database, thereby reuniting lost pets with their owners. According to pet experts, microchipping dramatically increases the chances of finding lost dogs compared to traditional collars and tags.
Why Microchip a Dog?
There are numerous benefits to microchipping dogs that make it an important part of being a responsible pet owner. The primary reason is that a microchip provides a permanent form of identification that can help reunite lost dogs with their owners. Unlike collars and tags which can fall off, a microchip is implanted under the dog’s skin and stays with them for life. According to the AVMA, microchipped pets have a much higher rate of being returned to their owners if they become lost. As the microchip is scanned, the unique ID code links back to the owner’s contact information.
Another key reason is that microchipping is required by many animal shelters and boarding facilities. If an unchipped pet ends up in a shelter, there is no way to identify them or contact the owner. However, with a microchip, the shelter can immediately get the owner’s info and return the pet. More and more cities and municipalities are also passing laws that mandate microchipping dogs. So having your dog microchipped ensures compliance with local regulations.
Overall, microchipping provides essential permanent identification that greatly raises the chances of reuniting lost or stray pets with their families. That peace of mind makes it an important responsibility for every dog owner.
Can a Microchip Be Changed?
Yes, a dog’s microchip can be changed, but it’s not very common. To change a dog’s microchip, the old one must be removed and a new microchip implanted. This requires minor surgery performed by a veterinarian to insert the new microchip.
Microchips are designed to be permanent, so there usually isn’t a need to change them. However, there are some situations where a dog’s microchip may need to be changed:
- The original microchip information is incorrect or outdated.
- The dog has a poor quality or defective microchip that isn’t working properly.
- The microchip company goes out of business, requiring a switch to a new provider.
- The dog is rehomed and the new owner wants it registered under their name.
Changing a dog’s microchip requires implanting a new microchip in a different location from the old one. Both microchips may retain data, but the new one supersedes the old. Veterinarians typically implant the new chip between the dog’s shoulder blades. The process is quick, taking only a few minutes to perform.
Most vets charge $25-$50 to change a microchip. This is in addition to the cost of purchasing a new microchip, which ranges from $15-$50. While not overly expensive, changing a dog’s microchip still involves surgery and risks like infection. Therefore, it should only be done when absolutely necessary.
Reasons to Change a Microchip
There are a few common reasons someone may need to change the microchip in their dog:
Owner contact info changed – One of the main reasons to change a microchip is if the owner’s contact information has changed. Microchips are linked to the owner’s contact info like address, phone number, and email. If any of these change and the microchip information isn’t updated, the chip becomes useless if the dog ever gets lost. According to DailyPaws, it’s recommended to update contact info whenever you move or change phone numbers.
Chip is defective or unreadable – Sometimes microchips can become defective or stop working properly over time. If the chip is no longer readable by scanners, it needs to be replaced with a new one that functions correctly. The original chip should be disabled or removed first before implanting the new one.
Want upgraded chip features – As technology improves, some owners may opt to upgrade their dog’s existing microchip to one with more advanced features. For example, some newer chips allow storing vet records or using smartphone apps for GPS tracking. To upgrade, the old chip must be changed out for the new one.
How to Change a Dog’s Microchip
To change a dog’s microchip, you will need to make an appointment with your veterinarian to implant a new microchip. This procedure is similar to the initial microchipping process. The vet will use a specialized device to insert the new chip under your dog’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades.
Once the new microchip is implanted, you will need to register it and provide your updated contact information. This registration process allows microchip companies to store your details in their database and contact you if your dog gets lost. According to 24Petwatch, you can register the new microchip online or by submitting their Transfer of Registration form.
The final step is to notify the microchip company that originally registered your dog’s old chip about the change. This ensures their records are updated so your dog’s microchip can still be traced back to you if the old chip is scanned. The microchip company may require submitting additional forms or proof to process the change in registration.
Cost to Change a Microchip
Changing a dog’s microchip will incur some costs. The main expense is for the veterinarian to insert the new microchip, which typically ranges from $40-$100. According to veterinary sources like GoodRx, the average cost for microchipping a dog is around $50-$60. So replacing an existing chip will be in a similar price range.
In addition to the vet fee for implantation, there will also be a small registration fee to activate the new microchip in a pet recovery database. This is usually $15-$30 to register the microchip ID and owner contact information. Overall, pet owners can expect to spend $55-$130 to change their dog’s microchip when accounting for both the insertion and registration fees.
Risks and Side Effects
The risks and side effects associated with microchipping a dog are generally minimal. The process of implanting the microchip is quick and simple. A veterinarian inserts the chip under the dog’s skin between the shoulder blades using a specialized syringe. Most dogs experience only minimal pain or discomfort during the implantation procedure, similar to receiving an injection.
There may be some minor swelling, redness, and tenderness around the injection site, but this typically resolves within a few days. Rarely, dogs can develop an infection or an abscess at the implantation site if bacteria get introduced under the skin. This risk is minimized by following proper sterile technique during the microchipping procedure.
One potential risk is improper implantation of the microchip. If the vet does not insert the chip deep enough under the dog’s skin, the chip could later migrate to another part of the body. This makes it harder to locate and scan. However, most vets are experienced with the implantation procedure and the risk of migration is low when proper technique is followed.
Overall, the risks associated with microchipping a dog are very low. For most dogs, the process causes only minimal discomfort. When done correctly by a veterinarian, microchipping provides a safe and effective way to permanently identify a dog with very little risk of complications.
Alternatives to Changing a Microchip
Instead of undergoing the process of changing your dog’s microchip entirely, there are some alternatives that allow you to update your dog’s existing microchip information:
You can contact your microchip company directly to update the contact information linked to your dog’s microchip. This allows you to provide new phone numbers, email addresses, or home addresses without needing to implant a new chip. Most microchip companies have an online portal or phone number to easily update this info. This ensures your dog’s microchip record stays up-to-date with your most current contact details in case your pet becomes lost.
You can also add alternate contact numbers to your dog’s microchip record, such as phone numbers for family members or close friends. That way if you can’t be reached, the microchip company has secondary points of contact to help locate your lost pet. Adding alternate contacts provides extra reassurance that your dog can find its way back home if it wanders off.
Overall, updating your details with the existing microchip company allows you to modify your dog’s record without the potential risks or costs of implanting an entirely new chip. It’s often the simplest and most effective way to keep your contact info current.
How to Confirm New Chip Info
After your dog’s microchip has been changed, it is important to confirm that the new chip ID and your contact information have been properly updated in the registration database. Here are the steps to confirm your dog’s new microchip information:
First, you will need to take your dog to the veterinarian or shelter to scan the new microchip. They will scan your dog using a universal microchip scanner which will read the unique ID number encoded in the new chip. Make sure to get a copy of this new chip ID number for reference.
Next, you can check that the new ID number and your contact information have been correctly updated in the registration database. Go to the website of the microchip company such as HomeAgain or 24PetWatch. Enter the new unique ID number and search for your pet’s record. Confirm that your name, address, phone number and other details are accurately showing under that new chip number.HomeAgain and 24PetWatch allow pet owners to easily update their records online if any information is incorrect or outdated.
You can also use universal pet microchip lookup sites like the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup tool. Enter the new ID number and it will check multiple databases to find your pet’s information. This allows you to confirm everything is updated properly across different registries.
Following these steps helps ensure your dog’s new microchip has your current contact details, so you can be located if your pet ever becomes lost. Maintaining accurate chip registration gives you peace of mind knowing you can be reunited with your furry friend.
Making Chip Changes Official
Once you have successfully changed your dog’s microchip, it is important to make the change official by notifying all relevant parties and databases of the new microchip ID number and contact information. This includes:
- Notifying your veterinarian – According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), you should contact your vet’s office and update your records with them so they have your dog’s new chip details on file (source).
- Updating with local shelters and breeders – If your dog is registered with a local shelter or breeder, contact them to update their records as well.
- Changing dog license and tags – You’ll need to notify your local animal control agency to update your dog’s license with the new microchip information. You may need to order a new license tag that contains the new microchip number.
Taking these steps ensures that if your dog ever becomes lost, the microchip can still successfully ID them and get them back home safely. Maintaining updated official records makes the microchip change process complete.