Microchipping your dog is one of the most effective ways to ensure that your lost dog gets home. It's a small device, often the size of a grain of rice, usually implanted between the shoulders .
If you're thinking about getting a microchip for your pet but aren't sure how much it costs to microchip a dog or where to have it implanted, check out this guide! We'll tell you everything you need to know about this procedure so that you can make an informed decision as pet owners.
Having your pet microchipped is a great way to have peace of mind if you are worried about if your pet was to ever get lost.
How Does a Dog Microchip Work?
A pet microchip is a tiny glass-encapsulated computer chip that is implanted under your dog's skin. It's not much larger than the size of a grain of rice and can be easily inserted under the skin with a syringe (no anesthesia needed).
The purpose of these chips is to help identify a lost pet or stolen, so when animal shelters find a stray pet without identification tags or collars, they can scan the pet for a microchip. This will show the owners contact information and hopefully get your pooch home safely!
The main issue with microchipping is that they don't have the same ease of use as a collar or tag. If you lose your dog and it's wearing a collar with an ID tag, you can call the number to report it missing.
However, if there's no way of identifying him without a chip (i.e., he's wearing no tags), you'll have to wait for him to be found and brought to a location that has a microchip scanner. This can take days or even weeks!
How Much Does a Dog Microchip Cost?
The cost of a dog microchip depends on the type of chip and where you get it done. In general, microchips cost between $20-$30 to purchase and then another $25-$35 to insert into your pet's body. This means that you're looking at an average total cost of $45-$65 per dog—but keep in mind that this number can vary significantly depending on where you live and which brand of chip you choose.
How a Microchip Can Keep Your Dog Safe
A microchip is a safe, permanent way to identify your dog. If you've lost your pet and they are picked up by animal control or a shelter, they can use this technology to reunite you with them quickly.
Additionally, if your dog becomes lost and ends up in an area where chip scanning is available (such as some animal shelters), it will allow them to get returned home more quickly.
What Does a Microchip Accomplish?
A microchip is a permanent form of identification for your pet. It's implanted under the skin, like a tattoo or piercing, and has a unique number that can be used to identify your animal in the event it's lost or stolen.
A microchip can help you reunite with your dog if he's found injured or even worse. Think of it like a collar and an ID tag that is always with your dog or pet. The pet's microchip simply contains the pet owners phone number and information.
The microchip doesn't provide a pet's location information, but it does send out signals to scanners that read them as unique codes. These scanners are often used at rescues, shelters or a vet office when they receive dogs with no tags or collars.
The Microchip Implant Procedure
You may have heard that microchipping a dog is a surgical process, but this isn't quite true. The most common method is the injection, which involves inserting the microchip between your dog’s shoulder blades using a needle and syringe.
The procedure lasts only a few minutes and doesn’t require any anesthesia or stitches. It's so quick that some veterinarians perform it while you wait!
Usually, the implantation process is quick and painless. A needle is used to insert the chip under your dog’s skin, and it takes about 10 seconds for him to feel any discomfort.
Is Microchipping Painful?
It's important to note that microchipping is not painful. The chip is implanted under the skin with a small needle, which makes it very different than an injection.
Where to Have the Microchip Implanted
When it comes time to have your dog microchipped, you'll have some options for where you can get the procedure done. Your veterinarian, a clinic, or a shelter are all good choices.
If you're going to your vet, be sure to consult with them beforehand about how much it will cost and how long it will take so that there are no surprises when the bill arrives.
When to Microchip Your Dog
If you are considering getting a microchip for your dog, it's important that you do so as soon as possible. This is because there are many cases where dogs have been lost or stolen and not recovered until weeks or years later.
Where to Register Your Dog’s Microchip
If you're not sure which company to use, call around and ask if they offer this service. Some may be able to provide registration by phone, while others might email or mail you a form to fill out with your contact information and the numbers from both sides of your dog's microchip.
There is usually a registration fee to register your pet's information with a microchip company. The costs are all different per company so make sure to take a look when selecting a company. Also, several of the bigger companies require you to update and pay every year so find out what their services require beforehand.
The Fi Nano is completely free to register your dog’s microchip for life. They are one of the only companies that offers this.
If there's any confusion about how long it takes for them to process these forms, ask the microchip company about their average turnaround time before making a decision.
An Alternative to Traditional Microchips
Microchips have long been the standard of care to track down lost pets. But they aren’t without limitations. Since your pet's microchip needs to be scanned, they must be found by someone and received at a shelter or vet’s office with a scanner.
However, most microchip registry companies require a fee to keep your information stored and updated. Without an updated profile, it’s next to impossible to search for your lost pet.
Another mishap can happen if the chip microchip registration is not completed with the microchip company when the microchipping is done. Many pet parents do not know that you need to register the ID number with the microchip company. You will need to add your phone number to the microchip registration so you can be reached if your lost dog is found.
Fi Nano
The Fi Nano is a microchip like all others, except for the registry. It is automatically registered to the shelter or vet when they are shipped and the registry is searchable using a global lookup tool. But this isn’t what makes this microchip such a big deal.
You can maintain the registry for your Fi Nano microchip for free. No hidden fee and no catches. It sells for $3 a chip. This is approximately $20 less than other brands of microchips, which reduces the cost of implantation.
Even if you already have a microchip, and even if its registered elsewhere, you can register with us at nano.tryfi.com/register free for life.
Given that an updated microchip registration is the only thing that gives value to your microchip in the first place, it’s worth giving the Fi Nano a try. It costs you nothing and guarantees your information remains up to date if your dog goes missing.
FAQs About Dog Microchips
How much does it cost?
They are relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of replacing your lost pet. The average cost for chipping a small-breed dog ranges from $0-$120, while the average for large breeds is about $50.
Can a microchip help me find my dog if it gets lost?
Absolutely! Chips are implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades, so they’re located in an area where pets don’t generally scratch or lick themselves (like around the neck).
An electronic scanner reads each chip's unique identification number and displays it onscreen so you can search for your missing pup.
Are they safe?
Yes, they are! They are implanted into the skin between your pet’s shoulder blades in a painless procedure that takes no more than five minutes. The chip contains a protective coating to prevent migration once implanted.
How do I find my microchip?
If you’re looking for your pet, contact a veterinarian or local animal shelter first. They may have already scanned your animal and recorded its microchip number. If not, bring your pet to a vet or animal control and ask if they have an electronic scanner. If this isn’t an option, some shelters have mobile units available for use in the field.
Takeaway
Microchips are a great way to keep your dog safe in addition to an ID tag or tracking collar. The cost varies depending on where you live, but overall it's a safe and effective method of keeping track of your dog's location in the case that it becomes a lost pet.
It's an easy and inexpensive way to ensure that your lost dog is returned home safely in the event they get lost. If you have doubts about whether microchipping is right for your dog, don't be afraid to ask questions at the veterinarian's office before making an appointment!
How do I know if my dog has been microchipped? Your vet will scan your pet’s neck with a handheld scanner and look for the identification number. If they don’t find one, then you most likely haven’t had it implanted.
We hope you found this article helpful in understanding what microchip implantation is and how much it costs. As with any medical procedure, it’s important to do your research before choosing a vet. Your dog will thank you!
