What does it mean to microchip your cat?
Cat microchips are small implants that we insert into the back of the neck or shoulder area on a cat to help identify them and get them back to you, especially if they have no collar or identification on them.
Dr. Noël Lucas
Blue Oasis Pet Hospital
Why do veterinarians recommend cat microchipping?
Veterinarians recommend cat microchipping because if your cat ever escapes or there's an emergency that happens in your house and your cat unfortunately gets out or is injured or found and needs care, it's a way for veterinarians, animal control, or shelter employees to be able to identify your cat. This helps them know the cat's name, where it lives, who it belongs to, and what phone number to call to get your cat back to you.
Is microchipping dangerous or painful to cats?
Microchipping is not dangerous. It involves a little needle being inserted into the back of the neck area which can be a bit uncomfortable as it's a medical procedure. However, most cats are microchipped while they are awake or when they are getting spayed or neutered when they're young. During these procedures, they're under anesthesia and they don't feel it.
Why does my cat need a microchip if they already have a collar with a tag?
Collars with identification tags are great, but they can sometimes be removed by your cat during its normal daily activities like going through fencing or underneath shrubbery. Also, if your cat gets into a fight, the collar may be ripped off. The collar may also slip off especially with these quick release little latches, which is what it's supposed to do to prevent strangulation. If your cat is outside with no identification at all and gets lost, the microchip is the way to get your cat back to you.
Will my cat's microchip be able to tell my cat's location?
Microchips do not GPS track cats around the neighborhood. You can put devices on their collars that will do that but microchips are just identification chips.
Who can scan my cat's microchip information?
Anyone who has a microchip scanner can read the chip.
When will a cat microchip be scanned?
A cat's microchip will be scanned if you ask us to insert a microchip. It can also be scanned when the cat comes in for their first visit, or when you ask for a medical procedure to be done, or when someone brings a cat in off the street. If a Good Samaritan brings in an injured cat with no identification, we will scan it to see if it has a family member that we can call.
What if I forget or lose my cat's microchip information?
Simply bring your cat in to see your veterinarian and ask them to scan the microchip. We can get the microchip number off the chip and then we can direct you or even help you update your database. It's all internet-based and pretty simple and easy to do.
What's the difference between a GPS microchip and an RFID device?
A GPS microchip is going to track where they are in location like through GPS location drivers. An RFID tag is simply going to just be an identification tag with a number.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (615) 975-2583 , 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
Dr. Noël Lucas
Blue Oasis Pet Hospital
How do I know who gets the information from my cat's microchip?
The information from your cat's microchip works in the following way: First, the microchip is sold to the pet hospital or rescue shelter that purchases these microchips. Once we implant the microchip into your cat, we provide you with information, either in the form of a brochure or by assisting you in visiting a website to upload the microchip number. This number is a unique identifier for the microchip we implanted, consisting of sixteen digits. You then enter your information into a database, which typically includes just your name, address, and phone number. This simple process allows you to associate your information with the microchip so you can be reunited with your cat if needed.
What information is provided with a cat microchip?
It's just the number. Once the number is searched within the microchip database, the only information retrieved will be what you provided. This typically includes your name, address, phone number, and possibly your pet's name. For instance, you might have entered 'Fluffy' as your pet's name along with the chip information. No sensitive information beyond this is stored in the database. For example, it won't include your credit card number or social security number. The microchip is solely a means to help your cat find its way back to you.
Who can scan my cat's microchip?
The only people that can scan the microchip are healthcare providers that have microchip scanners. Anyone with a scanner can scan a pet for a microchip, but it's just a database that you go out to that's going to have the information that you put into it regarding that pet's microchip.
Will my cat’s microchip stay in place?
Ideally, the chip will stay where it's put, but that's not always true. We insert microchips in the back shoulder region, but they can sometimes move, especially in pets that were microchipped when they were very young and then grew quite a bit. The microchip may end up sliding down the front legs, maybe into the shoulder area or down by the elbows.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (615) 975-2583 , 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 2
Dr. Noël Lucas
Blue Oasis Pet Hospital
How is a cat's microchip inserted?
To insert a cat's microchip, we use a special device and a large bore needle. We lift the cat's skin and insert the needle like an injection, but instead of delivering liquid, we're inserting a microchip. The microchip is minute, about the size of a grain of rice. Once it's inserted, we scan it with our microchip scanner to ensure it's active. It's possible for a cat to have more than one microchip. Rescues or shelters sometimes insert microchips before we get a chance to scan the cat. If we find a microchip during the scan, we report both numbers to the cat owner.
Why do I need to register the microchip?
The microchip in your cat is a unique identifier number. Initially, the microchip links back to the shelter, rescue, or veterinary hospital that purchased the microchips. Once it's inserted into your cat, it's crucial to register it in a microchip database with your details. This way, if your cat is lost and then found, a scan will reveal your contact details. Remember to keep your database details up-to-date to ensure your cat can be returned to you if lost. It can be disheartening to find a microchipped cat and not be able to contact the owner due to outdated contact information.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (615) 975-2583 , 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