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How Much Does It Cost To Microchip a Dog

Breeding Business is passionate about all sorts of domesticated pets. They have written dozens of articles across the web.
Published on
Wednesday 28 July 2021
Last updated on
Tuesday 9 May 2023
microchips for dogs
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Vets and other owners alike advise microchipping your dog. It ensures that your dog is legally registered to you. It also means if your dog gets lost, someone can return them to you. However, a lot of people actually avoid microchipping their dog. Their obvious benefits present an image of a very useful, mobile device. Therefore, many owners believe it to be expensive and out of their price range. So how much does it cost to microchip a dog?

Surprisingly, it is actually an affordable procedure. We will go into the exact cost, what influences this, and other questions about it and the procedure. If you are not sure whether to consider a microchip for your dog, take a read of this article before you make that decision for us to expand on dog microchip prices. So let’s take a look.

What is a Microchip and Why Does Your Dog Need It?

A microchip is a form of internal, scan-able identification. Your puppy or dog will have this placed under the skin and it will lie just between their shoulder blades. Some describe it to feel like a grain of rice. When someone scans these little chips, they will hold information on them. This includes the dog’s owner, contact details, and sometimes address. However, they are not a tracking device and cannot locate your dog. Instead, when someone finds a dog and brings them to a vet or shelter, that’s when they scan it. It offers an easy way to find and contact the owner to return their dog.

Not only can a microchip help find a lost dog, but a stolen dog as well. If someone is a suspect for stealing dogs, then professionals can scan the dogs and see who the dog belongs to. Only those who pay to have the animal microchipped can update the details on it. Therefore it cannot be altered by someone who has stolen a dog. This is an easy way to find a dog that has been stolen. Furthermore, it will prove that it does not belong to the thief and has a different owner.

importance of microchips
Contrary to popular belief, microchips are not tracking devices!

How Much Does It Cost To Microchip a Dog?

To quickly answer this question, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $75. Very rarely will it cost over $100 and usually this is from a more expensive veterinary center. You are actually paying for two elements, the microchip itself, and the procedure of the implant. Most clinics that you visit will offer the microchip and procedure as one package deal. However, you can pay for them separately if you wish to get the microchip at one location and procedure at another. It may work out cheaper that way hence why some people decide to do so. It is also important to know that it is a one-time fee. Once you have paid for your microchip there should be no other costs.

In some cases the chip and procedure are free. This can happen if you are rehoming a shelter dog, they may come with a microchip already implanted. During the time when you pick up your dog, they will give you the microchipping details so you can register your information. Not every shelter works under these procedures but a lot do. Other circumstances include non-profit organizations that help families or owners that have low income. It is worth contacting these organizations if you are struggling financially to see what is available.

You can also access the purchase and procedure for microchipping from some pet shops. However, be sure to check that the pet shop you are considering has the correct training to do so and can prove they do. They can do a course on implanting microchipping and you just want to check they have the proper certification to prove they have done this. Furthermore, check that the forms for accessing a proper microchip to check their validity. If you can check all these boxes, and reviews of the procedure from that shop praise the, it is fair to consider a pet shop as opposed to a veterinary clinic. Sometimes they are nearer or cheaper, hence why many choose them.

Microchipping a Dog: FAQ

More questions about the cost to microchip a dog? Take a look below to find out more.

Will it hurt my dog?

Like with a routine vaccination, there can be some mild discomfort during the procedure. Once your dog has had the injection though, the pain will be a small ache for a day or two and then subside. It is a mild pain that after a few seconds is a very dull ache that your dog will hardly notice unless someone applies pressure. Just be careful to avoid putting pressure on the site for a day or two to make sure your dog feels comfortable.

How long does a microchip last?

The average lifespan of a microchip is 25 years, this means you can almost guarantee that it will last your dog their lifetime. An exception to this rule is working dogs with heavy jobs. Those who pull sleds, police dogs, or even some farming dogs can knock or pull at the microchip after years of work, weakening it. In these cases there is a chance that the microchip could die earlier than the regular lifespan.

How long will it take to microchip a dog?

The procedure will take just a few seconds as the professional just needs to clean the site and then inject your dog with the chip. A removal surgery is also not difficult if you ever wish to have it take out. However, do remember you can easily change the details on the chip online so a removal is rarely necessary.

Do all shelters scan for microchips when they find a pet?

It is a mandatory protocol to scan for a microchip when a dog is brought into a shelter, this is the same for veterinary clinics as well. Workers for animal control also have scanners and have to do so when a dog is brought back to their facility.

Will my dog need it even if he has a collar?

We would always recommend microchipping your dog, even with a collar. If they are stolen then someone can easily remove and dispose of the collar or any external identification. If your dog gets lost then they could get the collar caught and it could tear away.

A microchip is a useful tool that enables a professional to easily identify your pet. We can use them to find a lost or prove a dog is stolen. The procedure is easy and relatively cheap. Furthermore, a microchip is an invaluable tool to keep your dog safe and enable someone to return them to you.

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