Should I Microchip My Cat?

How microchipping works

A microchip is a permanent form of identification for your cat, which is about the size of a grain of rice. The chip is placed under your cat’s skin. It stores a unique ID code that can be detected by a special scanner at animal shelters and veterinary offices. The code, registered in a pet-recovery database, has contact information showing who the pet belongs to.

Why should cats get a microchip?

Microchips better the odds of being reunited with lost pets. Outdoor cats tend to wander and even indoor cats can slip out of the house. By microchipping your cat, you increase the chance that you’ll be contacted if they’re found.

Is the procedure painful?

Microchipping is virtually painless (about the same amount of discomfort as a vaccine). The microchip is injected between the pet’s shoulder blades within seconds.

After the chip is in place, you must be sure to create an account with the pet-recovery database and register your pet with your up-to- date contact information. This step is crucial; otherwise the chip will be useless. Any stray animals found and taken to a veterinarian or shelter are generally scanned for microchips.

At your pet’s annual checkup, you can ask your vet to scan the chip to make sure it is working properly.

Ok, let’s go for it!

You’ve made the right choice! You can microchip your pet through Banfield Pet Hospital, which has locations nationwide, or through your veterinarian.