Microchipping Your Pet: Why Keeping Your Details Up to Date Matters
Microchipping is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help protect your pet if they ever go missing. Whether your dog slips their lead, your cat wanders further than usual, or your pet is found injured away from home, a microchip gives vets, local authorities and rescue centres a reliable way to identify them and contact you.
We know how much your pets mean to you. They are part of the family, and the thought of them going missing is incredibly worrying. A microchip can make a huge difference in helping lost pets get home quickly and safely. Just as importantly, the contact details linked to that chip need to be kept up to date.
What is a microchip?
A microchip is a tiny identification chip, around the size of a grain of rice, which is placed under your pet’s skin. The procedure is quick and is usually very well tolerated, much like having an injection.
Each chip contains a unique number. When a lost pet is found, a vet practice, dog warden, rescue centre or local authority can scan the chip and use the number to check the registered database. If your details are correct, you can be contacted and reunited with your pet as quickly as possible.
The microchip itself does not work like a GPS tracker. It will not show your pet’s location, and it cannot tell you where they have been. Instead, it acts as permanent identification that stays with your pet throughout their life.
Why microchipping is so important
Collars and ID tags are useful, especially for dogs, but they can come loose, break, or be removed. A microchip is a more permanent form of identification. It sits safely under the skin and can be scanned whenever your pet is found.
Microchipping is particularly important if:
- Your pet is nervous, easily startled or likely to bolt
- You have recently moved house
- Your pet spends time outdoors
- You travel with your pet
- Your pet has been rehomed or adopted
Even indoor cats can benefit from being microchipped. Many cats who go missing are indoor-only cats who have escaped unexpectedly and are unfamiliar with the area. Having an up-to-date microchip gives them the best chance of being identified and returned home.
Is microchipping a legal requirement?
In Scotland, microchipping is a legal requirement for dogs over eight weeks old. The chip must be registered on an approved database with the keeper’s correct details. If you get a puppy, rehome a dog, or move house, it is your responsibility to make sure the microchip information is accurate.
For cats, microchipping is not currently a legal requirement in Scotland, but it is strongly recommended. Cats are naturally curious and can travel surprisingly far, especially if they are frightened, injured or accidentally shut inside a shed, garage or vehicle. A microchip gives anyone who finds them a way to trace you.
Microchipping is only useful if your details are correct
One of the most common problems with microchips is not the chip itself, but the information attached to it. If your phone number, email address or home address is out of date, it may be difficult or impossible to reach you.
You should update your pet’s microchip details if:
- You move house
- You change your phone number
- You change your email address
- Your pet changes ownership
- Your pet’s name changes
- Your emergency contact is no longer suitable
It is also worth checking your pet’s microchip details every so often, even if you do not think anything has changed. A quick check can give you peace of mind that, should the worst happen, your pet’s information is correct.
How do I update my pet’s microchip details?
Your pet’s microchip is registered with a microchip database. To update your details, you will usually need your pet’s microchip number and access to the relevant database account.
If you do not know your pet’s microchip number, we can scan your pet at the practice and help you identify which database the chip is registered with. From there, you can contact the database provider to update your details.
There may be a small administration fee from the database company, depending on the provider and the type of account you have. It is still well worth doing, as incorrect details can delay or prevent your pet from being returned to you.
When should puppies and kittens be microchipped?
Puppies must be microchipped by the time they are eight weeks old, and this is usually arranged by the breeder before they go to their new homes. If you have recently welcomed a puppy, it is important to check that the chip has been transferred into your name.
Kittens can also be microchipped from a young age. Many owners choose to have this done at the same time as another routine visit, such as vaccinations or neutering. Our team can advise on the best timing for your cat, depending on their age, size and health.
Microchipping and pet travel
Microchipping is also important if you plan to travel abroad with your pet. Your pet’s microchip is used as their permanent identification and must usually be in place before certain travel requirements, such as rabies vaccination or travel documentation, can be completed.
If you are planning to travel with your pet, please contact us well in advance. We can check your pet’s microchip, vaccination status and travel requirements, and help you understand what needs to be done before your trip.
Microchipping is included in the Heritage Pet Health Plan
At Heritage Vets, we want preventative healthcare to be simple, affordable and easy to keep on top of. That is why microchipping is included in our Pet Health Plan.
Our Pet Health Plan helps spread the cost of your pet’s routine healthcare across manageable monthly payments. It is designed to support responsible pet ownership and includes a range of preventative care benefits to help keep your pet healthy throughout the year.
If your pet is not yet microchipped, or you are unsure whether their details are up to date, our friendly team will be happy to help.
