Microchipping Pets: What You Should Know

How A Microchip Is Fitted

The microchip is inserted just under the skin, between the shoulder blades.

Insertion is a quick and straightforward procedure.

Insertion can be performed from as young as one day old.

The insertion procedure is no more painful than a usual vaccination injection and rarely bleeds. If there is any bleeding, it can be stopped quickly by applying a little pressure.

Microchips are coated in a special type of glass identical to that used in human pacemakers, so the dog’s body does not try to reject it.

Making Sure A Microchip Stays Effective

Microchips only work if the contact details associated with the unique chip number are kept up to date by pet parents. This is usually done by simply phoning the microchip database company – check any microchip paperwork or ask your vet for details.

Microchips can sometimes move from where they were originally inserted and (rarely) even come out altogether (usually soon after insertion). Very rarely, they stop working entirely, so regular checks are important. Annual vaccinations are a good time to do this, but ‘chip checks’ can also often be done at the vets between annual visits.