Basic Questions about Microchips

Microchips are the building blocks of countless modern technologies, from smartphones and laptops to self-driving cars and medical devices. As integrated circuits etched onto tiny silicon wafers, they are designed to process, store, and transmit information at lightning-fast speeds. With demand soaring and each generation becoming more advanced, it’s understandable why people have so many basic questions about microchips. This article will address some of those queries, drawing on reliable research and real-world examples to clarify how these components are manufactured, function, and push the boundaries of innovation. Whether you’re a curious consumer or an aspiring engineer, understanding microchips is essential for keeping pace with a rapidly evolving digital world. By delving into the technology that powers your favorite electronic devices, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the science involved, enabling you to make well-informed decisions about the gadgets you rely on every day. So let’s dive in now, together.

Have you microchipped your pet? If not, we strongly recommend that you schedule this as soon as possible. The microchip is little, yet it can have a significant impact on your pet’s life. A veterinarian answers basic questions about microchips, providing expert insights into the benefits and process of microchipping pets.

What Is A Pet Microchip?

Microchips are radio-frequency identification (RFID) implants, also known as transponders, that are placed in extremely small containers, often no larger than a single grain of rice.

Microchips do not transmit or store data. (Unfortunately, the chip will not prevent your canine companion from chasing squirrels or stop Fluffy from knocking objects from your desk.) Every chip has one piece of information: a unique identification number. This can be read using a modern scanner.

Microchips: How Do They Work?

Microchips are passive devices, which means they do not communicate data unless activated by the scanner. The scanner sends radio waves, which cause the chip to broadcast the ID number back to the device. The identifying number is then displayed on the scanner’s digital display screen.

Microchips are commonly used by veterinarians and animal shelter officials to identify stray pets and track down their owners. This simple yet successful method has helped thousands, if not millions, of missing animals come home to their concerned owners.

What Is The Microchipping Process Like?

Microchipping your pet is a simple procedure that takes only a few minutes. It is typically scheduled alongside spay/neuter surgery for convenience. However, you can also schedule it alone.

The process is quick and simple. Your Peterborough, ON veterinarian will use a hypodermic needle to put the chip beneath your pet’s skin, generally between the shoulder blades. This is all there is to it!

In terms of recovery time, a special treat, a snooze, and some forehead scritches should be plenty. Of course, Fido and Fluffy would be delighted with a new toy and extra cuddles!

How Does My Pet’s Microchip Connect With Me?

Remember the ID number we stated before? That number is associated with your data in the chip manufacturer’s database. This is how you and your pet maintain an invisible connection.

After your pet has been microchipped, you have to update the chipmaker’s database with your information. However, you will not have to do anything with the chip itself.

For further information, please call your Peterborough, ON veterinarian.

What Happens After My Pet Is Microchipped?

Microchipping is usually a one-time process. You will not need to interface with the actual chip. However, if you change your email address or phone number, remember to update this information. If your contact information is wrong or out of current, the chip will not work!

Having your Peterborough, ON veterinarian inspect the chip during your pet’s regular checkup is also a smart idea. This is only to ensure that it hasn’t slipped out of place or failed.

Why Should You Microchip Your Pet?

Microchips have enabled the happy reunions of hundreds, if not millions, of missing pets with their devastated owners, often years after the animal went missing! This is a key component of responsible pet ownership. Do not assume that your pet will never run away. Even the most loving and loyal pet can slip out! Actually, one in every three pets goes missing at some point! Unfortunately, a very small percentage of non microchipped pets return home. Ohio State University researchers discovered the following:

• Microchipped canines were substantially more likely to be returned to their owners than stray dogs without microchips (52.2% vs. 21.9%).
• Microchipped cats were substantially more likely to return home than unchipped cats (38.5% vs. 1.8%).

Can A Microchip Be Used To Find My Pet?

No. Microchips are currently incompatible with GPS tracking, and this is unlikely (but not impossible) to change in the future. This is because GPS systems require power to operate. Clearly, batteries for Fido and Fluffy are not an option. While we may someday discover a power source based on purrs and tail wags, modern technology has not yet advanced to that point.

Certain products, such as pet doors and bowls, may link up with microchips. For example, there are doors that allow Fido to enter and exit the yard while keeping that cute but unwelcome raccoon outside. If Fluffy and Mittens have different feeding preferences, you can purchase dishes that will only open for the appropriate furball.

Do I Need To Get A GPS Tag For My Pet?

GPS tags are excellent innovations! Before you buy one, do your homework. There are many different goods available. They differ significantly in terms of subscription pricing, range, technology, battery life, and water resistance. Some use Wi-Fi or mobile towers, while others employ satellites.

How Long Does a Pet Microchip Last?

Microchips have a typical lifespan of about 25 years. That is far beyond the lifespan of dogs and cats. Birds, on the other hand, have much longer lifespans. If your bird is microchipped, you may have to replace Polly’s chip at some point.

Are Pet Microchips Worth It?

Yes! A microchip is a low-cost, one-time investment that could potentially save your pet’s life! Having one and not needing it is certainly superior to needing one and not having it!

Can You Microchip a Pet at Home?

No, definitely not! This is a medical treatment that should only be done by a licensed veterinarian.Tackling basic questions about microchips and their installation on your own could lead to disastrous consequences. Not only will you put your pet at risk , but you could also face legal consequences. In some circumstances, this could be deemed animal abuse, a felony offense. In this scenario, the dangers much outweigh the gains.

Is It Risky To Microchip My Pet?

Microchipping is extremely safe. There is a tiny potential that your pet will experience edema and/or itching. This normally goes away within a day or two. Of course, if the condition persists, consult your veterinarian right away. However, that is quite unlikely.

Can Smartphones Scan Microchips?

Unfortunately, no. Smartphones can perform a variety of functions, but there are no apps for reading chips. Given that microchips employ a distinct technology that is fundamentally incompatible with smartphone technology, this is unlikely to change.

Can A Magnet Remove A Pet’s Microchip?

No. Microchips do not have magnetic fields, so they don’t react to magnets. 

What Are the Advantages of Microchips?

Microchips provide an unseen safety net for you and your pet. They offer several advantages that tags do not. For one thing, they are permanent. They are more difficult to remove than collars and tags, and your pet will not rip or bite them.

To update your records, simply log in to your manufacturer account and make the appropriate modifications. They are also acceptable in court. This could be a major gamechanger in theft cases.

Are ID Tags Still Necessary?

Absolutely! Tags remain the simplest way for others to link you and your pet. They are also required by law in several places.

Schedule A Microchipping Appointment With Your Peterborough, ON Veterinarian

Basic Questions About Microchips in 2025: Common Concerns Addressed

Can you feel a microchip under the skin?

Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are inserted beneath the skin between the shoulder blades. In most cases, they are unnoticeable to pet owners, as the chip sits within fatty tissue. Some individuals may detect a slight bump if the pet has very little body fat, but this is relatively uncommon. Once inserted, the device remains inert and does not move around, minimizing the chance of discomfort. Veterinarians often check the chip’s placement during regular wellness visits, but typically, it cannot be felt or seen during day-to-day interactions.

Can a pet have multiple microchips implanted?

Multiple microchips may be implanted in a pet under certain circumstances, such as in rescue or rehoming situations where the existence of a previous chip is unknown. The presence of more than one chip typically does not harm the animal, as each chip is passive and only responds when scanned. However, multiple microchips can sometimes lead to confusion if they activate at once, so scanning staff will systematically check for additional chips. Standard practice involves verifying existing chips before placing another to ensure consistent identification and minimize potential issues. In most cases, a single chip suffices.

Can excess fat or matted fur affect microchip scanning?

Excess fat layers or dense mats of fur can occasionally interfere with a quick scan, as they may require the operator to adjust the scanner’s position or apply gentle pressure to pick up the chip’s signal. However, most modern scanners emit radio waves that penetrate a variety of coat types and skin depths effectively. Veterinary professionals typically recommend routine grooming and weight management to reduce scanning complications. When difficulties arise, thorough scanning techniques around the shoulder blades or using multiple scan sweeps can help locate the microchip. Maintaining accurate registration also ensures proper identification if a pet is found.

Should I be concerned about my privacy if my pet is microchipped?

Microchips do not broadcast signals or store personal details, so the only information recorded is an identification number. That ID is linked to the owner’s contact data in a secure manufacturer database, which veterinarians and shelters use to reunite lost pets with their families. Scanners only detect the ID code, not the owner’s name or address. Owners maintain control over what data is shared, and unauthorized parties cannot track or intercept any signal. Therefore, privacy risks are minimal. Keeping the registration up to date ensures safe, accurate retrieval without compromising personal information.

What happens if someone finds my pet – can they access my personal information?

When a lost pet is found, the facility or individual usually brings the animal to a veterinarian or shelter. The microchip is scanned to obtain a unique ID, which references the owner’s contact details in a secure registry. Only authorized personnel can access this data, so someone who finds the pet cannot directly view the owner’s personal information. Instead, they receive instructions to notify the registry or clinic, which then contacts the owner. Microchips only store the identification code, not personal data, preventing unauthorized access while allowing for a quick and safe reunion.

Is it necessary to chip your pet? Make an appointment with our Peterborough, ON veterinary clinic. We’re happy to help!