Five common pet microchip misconceptions

A pet microchip is a tiny device used for pet identification that is usually passive and does not require batteries to operate, however, there are some common misconceptions about pet microchips:

Myth 1: Microchips are GPS positioning devices

A pet microchip is not a GPS positioning system. It is essentially a small radio frequency identification (RFID) device. When a lost pet is brought to an animal shelter or veterinary clinic, staff use professional scanning equipment to read the unique identification number in the microchip. This identification number is like a pet’s ID number, and the pet owner’s contact information can only be obtained by contacting the appropriate database, which itself has no location tracking capabilities.

Myth 2: Microchips can be a serious health hazard for pets

Pet microchips are usually safe. The microchip is typically encapsulated in a very small glass tube and implanted into the pet’s body via subcutaneous injection, usually under the skin between the pet’s shoulder blades. The entire process is similar to a regular vaccination, and while it may cause brief minor discomfort, such as temporary swelling or pain at the injection site, these symptoms disappear within a short period of time. Numerous studies and practices have shown that under normal circumstances, microchipping does not cause long-term health problems such as cancer.

Myth 3: Pet microchips need regular battery replacement

The pet microchip is passive and it does not require batteries to work. Therefore, pet owners do not need to worry about running out of batteries or needing to replace them regularly. Microchips usually have a long lifespan of about 10 years, so there is usually no need for re-injections.

Myth 4: Pet microchips cannot be removed or moved after implantation

While pet microchips are usually stable after implantation, they do wander and shift. The microchip may move from its original location between the shoulder blades to just below the skin, or sometimes down the pet’s leg. In addition, the chip may be damaged if the pet’s body rejects the chip or is severely traumatized. In these cases, the microchip may need to be re-injected. However, removing an implanted microchip is often difficult and may cause unnecessary injury to the pet.

Myth 5: Microchip information is automatically updated

The information stored in the microchip is fixed and will not be updated automatically. Pet owners need to contact the microchip’s registry in time to update the information in the database if they change important information such as phone number and address. Otherwise, when the pet is lost, the owner may not be able to be contacted successfully because the information is outdated.