What Are the Pros and Cons of a Pet Microchip

Pets bring immeasurable joy in our lives; however, they also bring responsibility. A pet needs the same kind of attention and affection as a human baby does every day. They also cannot speak and tell us what they want or need, so make sure they have a good diet, get enough exercise, and sleep well. You should also make sure they have identification in case they get lost or mixed up with another dog. How? With a pet microchip. Read on to find out everything you need to know about pet microchips.  

What is a Pet Microchip

A pet microchip is an identification chip, embedded under your pet's skin. This chip is around the size of a grain of rice, measuring in at 25 millimeters in length and two millimeters in width. Standard pet microchips are the 15-digit, ISO 11784/11785 chip. 

It has no battery and works like a barcode does for a product at the supermarket checkout. These embedded chips are of great benefit to a pet parent, because they work as identification proof at veterinary centers, creature clubs, pet insurance covers, and vets. It is also a mandatory requirement for an international pet relocation. 

The chips are planted through injections like a vaccine and are just as quick & painless. A microchip is the first thing someone will look for as ID proof, to confirm your pet’s identity or return them to you in case they get lost or somehow wander away.

Pros of Microchipping Your Pet

• Getting a unique identification number for your pet through a registered microchip.
• Confirmation and cross-referencing of immunization records of your pet against those on the chip number before any global travel/migration. 
• Helps with tracing and identifying your pet at a clinic or at the vet in case they wander or get lost. 

Cons of Microchipping Your Pet

• A pet microchip does not serve as a GPS tracker, which is perhaps its only downside. That being said, it is nit-picking, as a GPS tracker would require batteries, which a microchip does not need. 

Although microchips are compulsory before any international pet travel, they should be embedded in all pets, regardless of whether they plan to travel. Before commencing a pet relocation, many countries require pets to be microchipped as a rule, so that imported pets and their medical records can be cross-referenced with the ID number of the chip. As a recommendation, it is always advised to get your pet microchipped before they get their vaccinations. 

Some pet parents may be apprehensive of getting their babies microchipped. However, the benefits are immeasurable, and with no downsides to the process it is a safety net worth having. All pet parents should microchip their pets as soon as possible for maximum safety and convenience.