Have you ever gone through the traumatic experience of losing a pet? If so, then you’ll want to learn more about why you should microchip your dog or cat.
Without a chip, only about 15% of dogs and 2% of cats ever find their family again.
A microchip can help a lost pet get reunited with their family. It’s a type of permanent identification for your pet.
Microchipping is increasing in popularity for good reason. It provides a sense of peace for pet owners, and there are very few downsides to chipping your pet.
Find out everything you need to know to make an informed decision about your pet’s health below.
Microchipping For Dogs and Cats: The Basics
Microchipping might sound scary, but the process is very simple. A tiny chip gets inserted under your pet’s skin.
The chip has a unique code that will match up with your contact details. This information will get recorded in a national database.
Any vet or shelter can scan the microchip. Then, the unique code will come up. By searching the code, they’ll find your details.
Adverse Reactions and Side Effects
Before you consider chipping, it’s prudent to think about potential side effects. Like with every medical procedure, there are always risks involved.
Here are a few of the potential side effects of a microchip operation:
- Slight swelling at the injection site
- Infections
- Hair loss
- Failure of the microchip
- Formation of future tumors
The good news, though, is that the risk of experiencing an adverse reaction is very low. Out of 4 million microchip procedures in 1996, only 391 pets had negative side effects.
We can conclude that microchip dog side effects are rare and usually minor. Despite that, it’s still important to know the risks before you make your choice.
Senior Dog and Cat Microchipping
Alongside the risk of chipping, you also need to consider the many benefits.
For one, microchipping reduces the risk of losing your pet forever. If they’re chipped and get lost, they’re more likely to get returned to you.
As pets get older, they have a tendency to wander off more. Cognitive decline can play a role in pets making escape attempts.
Is your senior pet struggling? Check out our Senilife cognitive disease supplement. This helpful product can help ease their symptoms.
Another advantage of chipping is remaining compliant with the law. Pet microchip laws already exist in many states, but no federal pet microchip laws exist. Check out your local laws for more information.
Microchipping: Is It Worth It?
Microchipping your pet might not seem like a big deal right now. If your pet ever wanders off, though, it could be the difference between reunification and a lost pet.
As your pet gets older, it might be even more important to consider chipping them. Seniors are more prone to getting lost. They may also start seeking out solitude more as they age.
Are you looking for more ways to help your senior pet thrive? If so, then we can help! Check out our shop to see some of our best senior-specific pet products!