The moment you realize your beloved furry friend is lost is a helpless feeling. And, according to one study, 15% of cats and dogs go missing every year. Fortunately, technology such as microchips can help you recover your pet if they ever get lost. So, should you microchip your pet? Read on to learn everything you need to know to decide whether microchipping is right for your cat or dog.

Microchipping Your Pet

Microchipping your pet is one way to increase the odds that you'll reunite with your furry friend should they ever go astray. To microchip your pet, your veterinarian places a small, sterile computer chip (about the size of a grain of rice) under the loose skin between their shoulder blades.

Insertion

The whole procedure takes just a few seconds. Your vet will clean the skin where they want to inject the microchip and then quickly insert the chip under the skin with a needle. A microchip needle is larger than a vaccination needle, and it does cause discomfort for a second or two. Some vets will use local anesthesia when inserting the microchip, while others will use distraction techniques such as offering treats or letting your pet lick a delicious substance (e.g., peanut butter) off a lick mat. Alternatively, your vet can microchip your pet while they're asleep for a spay or neuter procedure. Talk to your vet about your options.

There's no recovery time after microchipping, so your cat or dog can go about their day as normal! Rarely, they may experience soreness or swelling at the injection site. If you notice swelling, call your vet.

Cost

Microchipping can be done at your local veterinary office. Many animal shelters and low-cost and mobile health clinics also offer microchipping, sometimes at a lower price. The cost of microchipping varies, but, on average, the procedure costs between $30 and $60. Some microchip companies charge an additional fee to store your contact information, so confirm costs ahead of time. If you're concerned with cost, ask your veterinary clinic if they'll implant the microchip during a technician visit (where your pet doesn't receive a physical from a vet).

How Microchips Work

A microchip contains a serial number unique to your pet, and it's associated with a phone number that belongs to the registry that owns the chip. A vet or pet care provider uses a handheld scanner to read the chip. Then, they call the number of the company and provide them with the serial number to retrieve your contact information, such as your name, address and phone number.

Limitations

Microchipping pets can help reunite furry friends with their families, but the technology does have limitations. For example, if you move or your phone number changes and you don't notify the microchip company, your pet's microchip will provide outdated information. Always update your contact details as soon as possible after a change.

Also, while microchips are always inserted between the shoulder blades, gravity can sometimes cause the chip to travel to another part of your pet's body, making it difficult for a scanner to find. Ask your vet to scan the chip at least once a year to make sure it's still where it should be. Finally, a microchip isn't a GPS. It can't tell you where your pet is unless they're found.

Because of these limitations, always attach a tag with your updated contact information to your dog's or cat's collar.