There’s no denying the fact, everyone loves pets, which is why pet owners will go the extra mile to make sure, their little munchkins are safe. Traditionally, dogs and cats would be confined within the four walls of the house, but now the dynamics of everything have changed. With much evolution of technology and wearables, it is easy for pet owners to keep an eye on their little bundles of joy. Here, in this feature, we will discuss the pros and cons of microchipping your pet. However, before we dig deep into the crux of this discussion, it is essential to know what a microchip is. In simple words, a microchip works like a small identification detective that can easily be embedded under the pet’s skin. The ethos behind microchipping pets is to find them when they’re lost. A quick scan of the chip can easily get you in touch with your loved one again.

Not to forget, thousands of pets are lost every year, which is a massive loss to their owners. Luckily, some pets are found, whereas some are not. This is the main reason why microchipping has become such a thing in today’s world. It works as a catalyst in speeding up the pet search. However, with massive benefits, there are a few drawbacks to this technology as well. So before you will decide to settle for microchipping your pet, if not even legally required, sift through the pros and cons of doing it in this feature:

Pros of Microchipping

  1. It is Cheap

Unlike any other conventional method of finding your lost pet, microchipping is cheap. A typical procedure of microchipping a pet ranges between £25 to £50. This means, as soon as you buy a new pet, it is imperative that you get them microchipped. Even if you don’t have a habit of traveling with your munchkins very often, microchipping will help you when the worst case was to happen and your pet runs away.

  1. It Takes Less Time

Microchipping is a simple procedure, which is inclusive of injecting the chip under the skin. This hardly takes between 10 to 30 seconds. This means you can easily save a lot of time by settling for this option. As soon as the chipping process is done, you can go back home with your pet.

  1. It won’t Cause Any Discomfort

One of the leading reasons why many pet owners run away from this method is because they think it will provide discomfort to their pets. However, the truth be told, microchipping doesn’t cause much discomfort. When it is being done, most vets equate it with the pain caused during vaccination.

  1. Lasts for a Long Time

Once your pet has been microchipped, this procedure will last between ten to twenty years. This means you will have to worry less about your pets getting lost anytime sooner. Even if they do, the microchip will get you in touch with them easily. This time span is more than the average lifespan of any pet, which means that you are doing the right thing.

  1. Chip Stores A lot of Information

Although a microchip doesn’t have too be mistaken for a pet tracker, the chip can save valuable information about the pet. For instance, you can store information related to their medical history. This means, if your pet goes missing for a long time, the person who finds them can easily provide them with the necessary treatment for whatever illness they have.

Cons of Microchipping

  1. Few People Really Understand the Concept Behind Microchipping

The problem with microchipping is that not many people are familiar with the concept behind it. If your pet gets stolen and is taken to a vet for examination, he/she can remove the chip, thus, debunking the entire process. However, removing a microchip is by far not as easy as removing a name tag with the pet owner’s phone number and address or a GPS tracker from a pet’s collar. 

  1. Information Needs to Be Updated

If you are a pet owner, you will need to update your information on the chip frequently. For instance, if you change your home address, the information on the chip will need to be changed as well. Similarly, if your pet has undergone surgery of any kind, you will need to update it on the chip. This way, whosoever finds your pet will easily be able to return it to you as its owner. 

  1. Microchips Can Harm The Body

Because they are small in size, microchips can travel under the skin and move in any part of the body. This means, if you look for the spot where the animal got injected, you will no longer be able to scan the chip. In severe cases, the microchip can affect the body by traveling through veins. This is why many people despise getting their pets injected with any such thing.

  1. Microchipping is Not a GPS

Contrary to what most people think, a microchip is not a GPS at all. This means, if your pet gets lost, you won’t be able to get a live location. The chip is readable by a scanner and works only when your pet has been found. For example, if you want a gps for cats in your locality, you will have to look for other options around.

So when you plan to get your pet microchipped, always weigh the pros and cons of this option before choosing to stick with this decision. Microchipping is generally quite well known but only few people really understand the concept this technology is based on. Although the risk that youor pet runs away might seem low such cases actually appear quite frequently. The truth be told, hadn’t it been for microchipping, many pet owners would have never been able to find their munchkins. Although technology might bring its fair share of cons, we can’t negate the benefits it does. Thanks to micro chipping, it has enabled many pet owners to go the extra mile in terms of the safety and security of the little ones.