What is cat microchipping?
Microchipping is the process of implanting a tiny grain of rice-sized chip into your pet, similar to a vaccine. If your pet gets lost, an animal hospital or a shelter can scan them to pick up a number that is registered to you. This increases the likelihood of you getting your pet back.
Lydia Fisher, RVT
Animal Hospital of Statesville
Why do we recommend microchipping?
We recommend microchipping to increase the chances of you retrieving your cat if it gets lost.
Is microchipping painful or dangerous to your cat?
Microchipping is not dangerous for pets. There might be a little bit of discomfort, similar to a vaccine. The needle used for microchipping is slightly bigger than a usual vaccine needle. We recommend microchipping when you get your cat spayed or neutered as they're asleep and won't feel it.
What information is on the microchip?
The microchip contains a unique number. When scanned, we can input this number into a global database which tells us the microchip company. Then, we contact the microchip company who can provide us more information as long as the client updates that information. The microchip company then makes the initial contact with the owner to inform them that the pet was found.
Why do I need a microchip if my cat has a collar and tag?
Many cats dislike wearing collars, and there's a risk of the collar getting caught and ripped off when the cat is outside. In such cases, the identification tag becomes useless. Microchipping offers a more permanent identification solution. We recommend using breakaway collars for cats to prevent them from getting caught.
Does a microchip track my cat's location?
No, microchips are not GPS devices. They use RFID technology which requires a scanner to read. Microchips do not track your pet's location.
Who can scan a cat's microchip?
Besides veterinarians, shelters, humane societies, and rescue organizations can also scan a cat's microchip.
When will a cat's microchip be scanned?
A cat's microchip is scanned when they are found or brought in for a visit. We regularly scan to ensure the chip is functioning properly.
What if I forget my cat's microchip information?
You can contact us or ask during a visit to retrieve the microchip information. We can provide the microchip number and the contact information for the company that made the microchip.
What's the difference between GPS and RFID?
GPS technology can track, whereas RFID uses radio frequencies to obtain the microchip number. RFID does not provide tracking capabilities.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at 704-802-1280, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Microchipping - FAQs
Lydia Fisher, RVT
Animal Hospital of Statesville
What happens during the microchipping process for a cat?
The microchip is inserted right between the shoulder blades of the cat. It does not go into a muscle but is just underneath the skin behind the neck. The microchip is inserted with a needle, which can be a little large. The cat can be awake or asleep during this process, although we recommend the latter as cats are a bit more reactive to things. We can definitely microchip your cat during other procedures if you're worried about them potentially getting out.
Can the microchip migrate?
The microchip can migrate, but if they're placed in the appropriate area, they don't tend to. However, some do migrate down on the legs or down the back. That's why we perform a scan over the whole pet before and after inserting the microchip to ensure we're not missing anything and the pet doesn't end up with two chips.
Are there any risks or side effects with the microchip?
Other than it being an injection, which could cause a bit of discomfort, there are no notable side effects. We can pick it up sometimes on an x-ray. However, we do not x-ray cats to find the microchip, we scan them. Only shelters, us, and the microchip company can get your information off a microchip.
Is there any recovery period needed after a cat is microchipped?
There's no downtime for microchipping. The cats can return to their normal activities right after having the microchip inserted.
How often should a cat be scanned for the microchip?
We try to scan them every time they're in for a visit. That's at least once a year if your cat comes in for an annual check-up. We recommend that they come in two times a year, so that's two sure times they get scanned. We also scan them if they come in due to illness. We like to keep tabs to make sure the microchips are working properly.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at 704-802-1280, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram