Poll Results: Do You Microchip Your Pet
Branded Research for Outward Hound polled 7,960 pet parents to find out how many actually have their pets microchipped. Heres what we learned:
- 4 in 10 pet owners have already microchipped their pets.
- 24% of pet owners say they have not yet microchipped their pets but intend to do so.
- Female pet owners are more likely than male pet owners to say that they have microchipped their pets .
- Older pet owners are more likely than younger pet owners to have microchipped their pets. 46% of Baby Boomers have microchipped their pets vs. 35% of Gen Z, 40% of Millenials, and 43% of Gen X.
- 34% of pet parents polled dont intend to microchip their pets at all.
I Have Lost My Cat What Should I Do
If youve lost your cat and theyre already microchipped, it is best to let your microchipping company know. Theyll make sure your details are up to date.
If your lost cat is found and taken to a vet or animal welfare organisation, youll be contacted to arrange a reunion.
Microchip Cat Implant Vs Gps Tracker: Which Is Best For My Fluffy Friend
So now you know the main features and uses of cat microchips and GPS tracking devices for felines. So which one should you go for? Well, the answer is: both! Because when it comes to the safety of your kitty, nothing is too much.
Remember: Having your cat microchipped might be a mandatory regulation in your country, but unfortunately, this wonât be enough in case kitty runs away.
In comparison with a microchip, having a GPS cat tracking collar attached to your felineâs neck will definitely help you to find your cat, in case she gets lost. And in real-time! So keep your kitty safe with both a microchip, and a GPS tracker.
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Why Microchip Because It Actually Works
As the AVMA explains: A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9% of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time. Cats without microchips were reunited with their owners only 1.8% of the time, whereas microchipped cats went back home 38.5% of the time.
Dr. Simon said:
Whenever a lost, stray, or abandoned animal is brought to our clinic, the first thing we do is scan for a chip. There is a relief we all feel if a chip is found. We know that this means this animals chances of being reunited with its owner are good.
The small pet microchip cost is worth it. You can keep your pet safe and help other pets get back home with the help of a microchip. Its a low-risk, affordable way to ensure your furry friend finds his way back to you.
Dont forget to keep your pup up-to-date on their vaccinations and monthly heartworm preventative! To read about the deadly dangers of heartworm disease, click here.
Benefits Of Spaying Or Neutering Your Cat
Having your cat neutered will fix many undesirable behaviors, including territorial urine spraying, roaming, and being aggressive toward other catsbehaviors often seen in intact male cats. Spaying eliminates the unpleasant behaviors associated with females in heat, making your feline friend easier to live with after surgery.
Neutering a cat at an early age may also protect the animal from a number of serious, even fatal, health problems later in life. Neutering a male cat can prevent testicular cancer and certain prostate problems, while spaying a female between three and six months of age will essentially eliminate her risk of developing mammary cancer and eliminate the risk of pyometra, a potentially fatal infection of the uterus that strikes older, intact female cats.
Statistically, animals will live longer if they are spayed or neutered, says Dr. Robin Sturtz, a veterinarian at The Cat Hospital in Williston Park, New York. They are much less prone to certain endocrinal or hormonal diseases.
The best time to have your cat spayed is before she has her first heat. While this varies according to your cats breed and whether they live indoors or in the wild, most cats reach puberty by five to six months of age. Since each cats medical history is unique, its best to consult your veterinarian on the ideal time to spay your cat.
Having your pet spayed will help you and your furry friend enjoy a high quality of life together, and prevent unwanted pregnancies.
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Is It Dangerous To Have A Cat Microchip Inserted
Inserting a microchip is a medical procedure that needs to be performed by a trained professional. But with that being said, its generally considered to be extremely safe. Your cat wont need to be put under any anesthetic when having a microchip inserted. The needle might cause him or her some momentary pain, but it should be no more painful than a typical vaccine.
However, you may be wondering about cat microchip side effects. Since microchipping is a medical procedure, side effects can occur. Heres what to watch out for.
Spay Vs Neuter: Whats The Difference
Female cats are spayed and male cats are neutered, and while both have the same result , the two procedures are handled differently due to anatomy.
Neutering involves removal of the testicles, which in a normal cat are external. Kruck says. The procedure itself, in the hands of an experienced veterinarian, is rather short.
On the other hand, Spaying involves an abdominal surgery to remove the ovaries and typically the uterus as well. This procedure is internal and therefore more invasive, and takes somewhat longer, though it is still not a terribly long procedure.
In fact, neutering a cat can take just 30-60 seconds , while spaying takes about 5-10 minutes to be completed, Corbett says. He notes that those numbers are more accurate for high-volume clinics though, and that private veterinarians can take 20-40 minutes for these procedures.
Overall, its important for pet owners to understand what actually goes on and that, in the end, the pet wont be able to reproduce, said Corbett. He says that some male pet owners can struggle with neutering a male animal on the assumption that it will affect the animals masculinity. Corbett cautions that animals are different from humans. I dont really think that animals look at masculinity the same way we do.
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Average Cat Vaccinations Cost
When you first bring you kitten home, its vital you get their vaccinations and keep up with the annual boosters. The first round of jabs will cost about £100, with another £50 for the annual boosters.
If you choose to get a cat or kitten from a rescue shelter, they will normally already have the first round of vaccinations done.
Average Cost To Microchip A Dog Or Cat Uk 2022
To help lost or stray dogs be united with their owners, microchipping is compulsory under the law by the time dogs are 8 weeks oldotherwise owners could be hit with a £500 fine. How much will it cost to get your dog or cat microchipped? We’ve surveyed vets around the UK to find out. We’ve also found locations where some dogs can get a free microchip.
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Are There Any Cat Microchip Side Effects
Side effects from microchips are fairly rare. Your cat may experience some soreness at the injection site, and its always possible for it to become infected, so keep an eye out for that for a week or so after your cat has his or her microchip inserted.
One of the most common cat microchip side effects is for the chip to migrate inside your cats body, either moving to a different area or sinking into muscle tissue. In either case, it may be difficult for a veterinarian or shelter worker to find and read the chip with a microchip scanner. For this reason, its important to have your cats microchip scanned at yearly vet checkups, just to make sure its still in the right place and readable.
One other very uncommon side effect is for a cat to grow a tumor at its injection site. This is very rare, but any time you notice a new lump or bump on your cats body, you should let your vet know and possibly schedule a checkup to make sure it isnt something serious.
What If I Forget Or Lose My Cat’s Microchip Information
The information is stored online with the company who provided the microchip. And so even if you lose all your information, they should have it available. It is super important, though, to make sure you update your information when you move or your phone number has changed so they have a way of contacting you.
If you still have other questions and you’d like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at , you can email us, or you can reach out on social media. But please do reach out, and we’ll get back to you as fast as we can.
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Why Should I Microchip My Cat
Whether youve just bought a kitten or adopted an older cat, making sure they are microchipped should be top of your list. Microchipping your cat gives them the best chance of being identified and returned to you if they are lost or stolen. Microchips are safe, easy to implant and effective. Unlike collars and ID tags, microchips dont come off and they dont put your cat at risk of injury.
The Costs Of Indoor Vs Outdoor Cats
The life of a wayfaring outdoor cat seems enticing and adventurous, but all adventures have their risks. Dr. Christman wants cat owners to know that their outdoor pets are more prone to injuries and infections. The most common cat injuries I see in practice include abscesses, puncture wounds, fractured limbs, and dental disease, says Christman. Because of the unpredictable nature of the wild, wandering cats are in far greater danger than cats who live inside, and can even have traumatic experiences with catfights, fights with other animals, being hit by cars, toxicity, and infectious diseases, Christman notes. These injuries are relatively inexpensive. However, if fractures are involved or anything requiring surgery is warranted, then the cost to repair their furbabies can be easily over $1,000. Though indoor cats are likely to stay safer and be healthier, know about these hidden dangers for your pets at home.
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Does Microchipping My Dog Hurt Them
Microchipping is a quick, low-to-no pain procedure that does not require any sedation or anesthetic to be implanted, and can be done at most local veterinary offices. Your veterinarian will inject it under the pets skin between the shoulder blades with a hypodermic needle.
If you have a puppy that needs to be neutered or spayed, you can request they inject the microchip during that appointment since theyll already be under anesthesia.
This procedure is as routine as a vaccination, and microchips are designed to work for 25 years! One and done.
Isnt Microchipping Only For Dogs
Both cats and dogs need to be microchipped.Cats often do not wear collars, and may not have any other form of ID. A recent study showed that less than 2% of cats without microchips were returned home. However, if a cat is microchipped, the return-to-owner rate is 20 times higher than if the cat was not microchipped.
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Average Cost Of Buying A Cat
If youre getting a standard domestic cat from a reputable breeder or rescue home, youre not going to be breaking the kitty, with an average price of £50 to £150.
However, you can spend a lot more, with the price of some cats really making your fur stand on end.
Russian Blue, Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest cats can cost well over £1,000.
The Bengal, Savannah and Ashera breeds, which are all hybrids of small leopards and domestic cats, can have price tags in the tens of thousands.
Pet Recovery Service Costs
The cost of a microchip usually includes registration with the manufacturers database. Additional fees are required to register the chips unique identification number with a pet recovery service . These services are usually offered with a one-time registration fee or a nominal annual subscription.
- Less than $2.00 per month is the cost of a subscription with most pet recovery services.
- HomeAgain charges a $17.99 annual fee thats less than $1.50 per month before taxes.
- Many companies charge a one-time registration fee.
- Pet recovery services dont usually cover the cost of travel expenses to help an animal get home.
- A single national PRS has the resources to help 10,000 lost pets return home every month using microchip registries.
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Is There Anything Else I Should Know
Millions of cats get lost every year, and cats that do not have microchips have less than a 5% chance of being reunited with their families. Cats with microchips were found to be more than twenty times as likely to be reunited with their families. The main reasons that owners were not found if the cat was microchipped, were that the telephone number was incorrect or disconnected, or the owners did not return the phone call or letter from the finder.
“Cats with microchips were found to be more than twenty times as likely to be reunited with their families.”
To help you keep your cat as safe as possible, make sure that your cat has a microchip and an ID tag, and that you have a clear photograph of your cat showing any unique markings. If your cat does get lost, you should distribute flyers that include your cats photograph and contact information, contact your local humane societies or animal shelters, alert your veterinarian, and advertise your lost cat on social media.
Average Cat Insurance Cost
A lifetime pet insurance policy for you cat will cost around £285 a year, according to Which?.
You can save money by getting a one-year policy in the early years, but be careful.
Premiums will go up a lot when your cat gets to about six or seven, and you might struggle to get cat insurance at all when they get to eight or nine, or even younger for some breeds.
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How Microchipping Works
A microchip is a permanent form of identification, about the size of a grain of rice. Implanted beneath the skin, usually between the shoulder blades, its able to store a unique code that can only be detected by a scanner at most shelters and vet offices. This code, when retrieved, is then matched to a pet-recovery database, which will share the pet owners contact information, showing them who the pet belongs to.
The entire procedure is virtually painless, similar to a vaccination and will take less than seconds as its implanted between the shoulder blades. After the chip is implanted, you will then have to create an account with the pet-recovery database the vet used and input your contact information. Since there are multiple brands of microchips on the market, this process can vary, but its so important you keep this contact information up-to-date.
How Much Does It Cost
The price will vary depending on where you have it done. Generally speaking, though, you should expect to pay between $40 and $50 if you have it done by a vet.
A large portion of that cost will be due to the fee for the office visit, though, so having your pet chipped during a regular checkup could save you money. Registering your chip with the company is usually free.
You may be able to have it done more cheaply at an animal shelter or through a rescue group. Some shelters have special days with discounted chipping costs, kind of like a low-cost vaccine clinic. You may be able to have it done for as little as $10 in that case.
If you adopt your cat through a shelter, they may already be chipped, so be sure to ask. The chipping could be done by the shelter itself or the pet could have been chipped by a previous owner.
If the cat was chipped by a previous owner, though, youll need to contact the company to update your information. You dont want them calling the old owner if your cat gets lost.
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Why Microchip Your Cat
The main reason to get your cat microchipped is if your cat gets lost and is found, she can easily be scanned and then reunited with her family. The really great thing about a microchip is that its in your pet and will remain there no matter what. Unlike collars and tags that can get lost, these ID chips can help ensure your pet will find his way home.
Shelters often microchip cats that are up for adoption. When they find their forever homes, these cats are already set with their microchip and identification so that, if they ever get lost in the future, their owners will be able to find them right away.
Are There Any Other Costs Associated With Microchipping Dogs & Cats
Though you will only pay the one-time procedure fee for each pet getting microchipped at PetSmarts Banfield clinics.
Keep in mind that you will likely need to pay an annual or lifetime fee with the microchipping company to keep the tracking service active.
Inquire at your local PetSmarts in-store clinic for more information on microchipping companys subscription services and possible multi-pet bundles for a possible discount.
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