Is It Safe to Microchip Your Pet? Here’s What to Know

Contact us to report infringement

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: no, a microchip won’t let you track your dog like a pizza delivery. You can’t watch your cat’s little dot move around your neighbourhood in real time (yet). But for all its sci-fi vibes, microchipping is one of the most grounded, practical things you can do for your pet—and yes, it’s safe.

Still, there’s something about the idea of inserting a microchip under your pet’s skin that makes people pause. Is it painful? Dangerous? Will it one day turn them into a robot overlord?

Let’s clear the air—and the myths.

So, What Is a Microchip, Really?

Think of a microchip as a tiny, passive ID tag about the size of a grain of rice. It’s inserted just under your pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. It holds a unique ID number that links to your contact info in a secure database.

What it doesn’t do:

• Track your pet’s location

• Light up

• Store your secrets

• Send you push notifications when your cat ignores you (again)

It’s not GPS. It’s not magic. But it is a permanent backup plan when collars fall off and tags go missing.

Is It Safe?

Let’s get to the good stuff: yes, microchipping is overwhelmingly safe. Veterinarians have been doing it for decades, and the procedure is:

• Quick (less than a minute)

• Non-surgical (no anaesthesia required)

• About as dramatic as a routine vaccine

Your pet might flinch. They might blink. And then they’ll carry on with their day like nothing happened—because, to them, it basically didn’t.

What Could Go Wrong? (Spoiler: Not Much)

Like any medical procedure, there are theoretical risks. But the side effects are about as rare as a cat who obeys recall:

• Mild swelling or soreness at the injection site

• A bit of microchip migration (it may shift slightly under the skin, but still works)

• Very, very rare tissue reactions (and we mean rare)

Frankly, the chances of it causing harm are lower than your dog stepping in something weird during a walk.

But Wait—Why Not GPS?

Because GPS needs power, and microchips don’t have batteries. They’re passive devices, meaning they only “activate” when scanned by a special reader—usually at a vet clinic or shelter.

If you want live tracking, you’ll need a GPS collar (and probably a subscription). But microchips? They're about identification, not location.

Think of it as an emergency ID card under your pet’s skin. Not flashy—but it works when you need it to.

Do People Really Use Them?

Yes - and when they do, the difference is staggering.

• Microchipped dogs are more than twice as likely to be returned home.

• Microchipped cats? Try 20 times more likely.

Without a chip, your pet is just “another stray.” With a chip, they’re someone’s beloved furball—and shelters know how to get them home.

Do I Have to Microchip My Pet?

In many places, the answer is yes. In the UK, it’s legally required for dogs, and as of 2024, for cats too. Many shelters, breeders, and even insurers require it. Even where it’s optional, it’s often strongly recommended.

And if you’re thinking, “But my cat never goes outside”—all it takes is one open window, one escaped trip to the vet, one rogue butterfly...

Basically: if you love them, chip them.

What About Privacy?

Let’s settle this: your dog is not being tracked by MI6.Microchips don’t store your name, phone number, or email address. They hold an ID number. That number links to your profile in a database—which you control. You can update it anytime.

Also: no, the chip can’t be hacked, and no one can “scan” your dog without a reader. So unless your neighbour is secretly running a veterinary clinic out of their kitchen, you’re good.

Don’t Forget to Register It

The biggest mistake people make? They don’t register the chip. Or they move and forget to update their info.

A microchip without your current phone number attached is like a locked phone with no password reset. Useless.

After your pet is chipped, your vet will give you registration details. Fill them out. Keep them updated. It takes five minutes and could save you days of heartbreak.

Final Thoughts

Is microchipping safe? Yes. Is it a smart idea? Also yes. Is it slightly spooky that your dog has a chip inside them? Maybe. But when that chip brings them home after they’ve gone missing, you’ll be too busy crying happy tears to care.

So go ahead, give your pet the high-tech backup plan they deserve. They won’t notice it’s there. But if they ever need it, you’ll be very glad it is.

Theo Grant

Tech writer, sceptic-turned-believer in microchips, and proud parent to a cat who absolutely would not come back if lost—unless bribed with salmon treats