Blog: What Does it Actually Do? Clearing Up Microchip Myths
There are a lot of rumors floating around the internet as to what microchips do and do not do for your pets. We’ve put together some common misconceptions and are determined to break those microchipping myths!
Myth 1: A Microchip Can Track Your Pet
False
A microchip is as small as a grain of rice; the only thing it can hold is its unique, 15-digit microchip number. Due to its size, a microchip cannot contain the parts needed to run as a GPS system in your pet. It is entirely passive and does not emit radio waves of any kind. This means that it is only “activated” when scanned by an animal professional to look up its microchip number, which should be connected to your contact information (more on that below!).
Remember, your pet’s chip works to it’s full potential when it’s registered in PetLink! Make sure your pet is registered (or that their information is up-to-date) in PetLink!
Myth 2: The Vet/Shelter Has Microchipped Your Pet, You’re All Set
False
Even after you’re a microchip is implanted in your pet, you should must take the time to login to PetLink and make sure they are registered properly. Vets and shelters do have the capacity to register your pet for you, but they may do so with little, or potentially inaccurate information (depending on circumstance). It’s best to take your pet’s microchip number, put it into PetLink, then login and update all the fields so you will be contacted faster should your pet be lost then scanned by an animal professional.
Myth 3: Microchipping is Painful for the Pet
False
The microchip is injected under your pet’s skin using a hypodermic needle, and it is no more painful than getting a regular injection at their yearly wellness visits.
Myth 3: A Microchip Can Track Your Pet’s Health
False
In reference to Myth 1 above, a microchip does not have the capacity to read or report anything regarding your pet’s health. This means it can’t track your pet’s heart rate, activity, or weight gain/loss.
Myth 4: A Microchip Can be Altered or Changed
False
A microchip is the only form of identification that cannot be changed and altered in any way, and will not fade (like a tattoo) or fall out of your pet (like a collar or tag could fall off or be removed).
We hope that this list has cleared up any lingering questions you may have about your pet’s microchip!