Are you considering microchipping your cat, but aren't too sure if it's necessary? Today, our Brighton vets explain what exactly microchipping your cat entails and what you can expect.
Microchips for Cats
This tiny radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip can assist vets and animal shelters in helping to locate a pet owner if their animal has been found. Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice. Typically, they are placed under the skin, between a cat’s shoulder blades.
Surgery won’t be needed to microchip your cat. A vet can use a needle to implant the chip just under the skin. The procedure involves little discomfort and most cats have almost no reaction to having a microchip implanted.
Once a cat has been microchipped, register the chip’s serial number and your cat’s information with the company that produced the chip. If your cat is found, the microchip can be matched to your cat’s information and traced to you, and you can be reunited with your furry companion.
How Microchips Work
If your cat is found, a rescue organization or vet can read the microchip using a special scanner. Because microchip scanners are universal, they’re able to read all modern microchips regardless of brand. When the scanner is passed over the cat’s back and sides, the microchip’s unique identification number will be transmitted to the scanner.
The rescuer can then contact the national database to obtain your phone number so you can be contacted and notified that your cat has been found. If your cat is stolen, microchips can be very helpful if you need proof of ownership.
Why Not Just Get My Cat a Collar & Tag?
When it comes to returning lost cats to their proper owners, tags and collars can be useful tools. People may be able to contact the owner using the phone number listed on the tag.
Outdoor cats should always have identification tags and collars in case they run into trouble. Make sure your name and contact information are included on your cat’s tag. Indoor cats equally benefit from identification tags, since these cats can sneak out past even the most watchful owner.
As many benefits as there are to collars and ID tags, tags can also fall off and become lost, leaving your cat without any identifying information. Collars may also get caught on things while your cat is out exploring, potentially harming them. You can provide your pet with a permanent means of identification by putting a microchip in your cat.
Note: Of course, it’s imperative to ensure your microchip registration information is kept up to date. Be sure to contact the company that made the microchip to update your information if you’ve moved or changed your contact number.