National Chip Your Pet Month: What You Need to Know About Microchipping.

May is National Chip Your Pet Month—let’s purr-pare you with the information you need to keep your cat safe!

What is a Pet Microchip?

Furry friends deserve all the love and protection we can give them and that's where microchipping comes in! Collars and tags are wonderful but if your finicky feline protests wearing a collar, microchipping is an ideal solution to keeping your pet safe. Think of it as your cat’s secret agent gadget—implanted under the skin, it's tamper-proof and accident-proof! The microchip is tiny, about the size of a grain of rice, and won't weigh your pet down. Unlike collars and tags that can easily fall off, get lost, or that your cat may refuse to wear, a microchip is a permanent solution to keep your pet safe and secure.

Why Microchip?

Even the most well-behaved cats can lose their collars with ID tags, but with a microchip, they'll always have a permanent ID number. Whoever scans your cat's microchip will be able to call the manufacturer and get in touch with you, as long as your registration information is up to date. Plus, microchips can prove ownership, which is great if your fur baby gets mistaken for a stray.

How Does the Microchipping Process Work? Will It Hurt?

The microchipping process is usually painless quick, and can take place during a routine office visit. Your cat won't need anesthesia, and most are totally fine with it—especially if there are some treats involved! The microchip itself is as small as a rice grain and injected under the skin using a hypodermic needle that's just a tad larger than a routine injection. 

How Do I Ensure My Cat’s Microchip is Up to Date?

It’s important to keep your cat's microchip information up-to-date. Add an annual reminder to your phone's calendar to update your pet's microchip information. A lot can change in a year! Keep microchip information like manufacturer website, login information, and Pet ID number together in a secure, convenient location.

I Think I Want to Get My Cat Microchipped. Now What?

That's the spirit! We're all for taking extra steps to keep your furry pal safe. To schedule an appointment or ask us any questions, give us a call at (616) 364-1211—your pet will thank you!