A nightmare for dog owners: The dog breaks free from the leash or disappears while running free and does not return. In order to be able to identify a lost dog, four-legged friends used to have a code tattooed on their skin. Tattoos have now been replaced by microchips. Find out more about modern dog identification.
When is a dog chipped? This is what it means
In some federal states in Germany, microchipping is even compulsory. Our neighbors in Austria and Switzerland also play it safe and require dog owners to have microchips. What are the advantages of this method? What are the costs? Are there any risks? Find out more about modern dog identification with chips.
The transponder, which is also colloquially known as a dog chip, is about the size of a grain of rice at 2 x 12 millimeters. This transponder contains a microchip. A 15-digit number is stored on it. The animal’s country of origin and the manufacturer are also stored on the chip. The number can be read using a special reader. The transponder with microchip is inserted by a veterinarian, and the respective number is recorded in the dog’s pet passport.
How the transponder works
The transponder is a passive radio communication device . If a reader is held near it, it receives signals and responds. It draws the energy it needs from the reader. Veterinarians and animal shelters have such readers. Customs and police are also equipped with readers. This allows the animal to be assigned to its owner.
The transponder itself does not have its own energy source such as a rechargeable battery or batteries. There is therefore no danger from radiation waves. Nothing more than the dog’s chip number is stored. The chip is made of an anti-allergenic material that can be inserted into the fabric without any concerns.
Is it mandatory for dogs to have a microchip?
There is no nationwide obligation to have your dog microchipped. Each federal state has its own rules and regulations regarding microchipping in dogs. In these federal states, microchipping is mandatory for dogs :
- Berlin
- Bremen
- Hamburg
- Lower Saxony
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Thuringia
Dogs classified as dangerous (listed dogs), must be marked with a chip in the following federal states:
- Baden-Württemberg
- Brandenburg
- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- North Rhine-Westphalia
- Rhineland-Palatinate
- Saarland
- Schleswig-Holstein
Some federal states also require dogs of a certain size to be chipped. In Brandenburg, dogs with a shoulder height of over 40 cm and a weight of over 20 kg must be chipped. Find out about the current rules that apply in your area to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Good to know:
If dog owners want to travel with their dog within the EU, the dog must be identified with a microchip. The transponder number must be noted in its EU pet passport . The most recent rabies vaccination is also checked when traveling within the EU. However, there are different regulations depending on the country, which should definitely be checked before starting the trip.
Where is the dog chipped? This is how the microchip is inserted
Microchipping is a medical procedure. The chips are only inserted by veterinarians. In the veterinary practice, the transponder is implanted into the dog’s body using a syringe-like device with a thick hollow needle. There is worldwide agreement to place the microchip on the left side of the neck. Anesthesia is not necessary for this.
If your dog insuredyou can get the cost of chipping reimbursed.
The pain during the implantation is the same as that of a vaccination. How painful the insertion is for the dog depends mainly on its pain sensitivity. Since the injection site is very small , there is no risk of bleeding. The dog can go about its normal daily routine immediately after the implantation. The new companion is not perceived as a nuisance and cannot be damaged during wild play or fights. Since it is a foreign body, a defensive reaction can occur in rare cases.
When should you have your dog chipped?
Ideally, owners should have their dog chipped when it is a puppy . At this age, the tissue is still soft and the chip can be placed particularly well in the tissue. If a dog is taken in from an animal shelter, it is usually already marked with a microchip. Dogs can be marked with a chip at any age without any problems . The chip lasts for the dog’s entire life and is therefore a one-time investment that is much more reliable than an address tag on the collar.
How much does microchipping at the vet cost?
Depending on which vet the owner goes to, the cost of microchipping a dog is between 40 and 70 euros . There may also be costs for the EU pet passport.
Remember to register after chipping
Registration is important so that the dog or the dog’s number on the chip can be reliably assigned. Without registration, the microchip is useless . Dog owners can either ask the vet to register the chip or do it themselves.
The largest database for pet registrations is maintained by Tasso Pet owners can register their dog on the Tasso website. Registration is free.
The following data is required when registering:
- 15-digit chip number
- General information about the dog such as name, breed, gender and date of birth
- contact details of the dog owner
Dog owners can also save special characteristics of their dog at Tasso. Owners can also choose whether they would like to be contacted by Tasso or directly by the finder in the event of a dog being found. The data entered will therefore not be distributed without consent.
Always keep your contact details up to date and report any change of address or telephone number to Tasso immediately. The non-profit organization also offers a 24-hour hotline if the dog can no longer be found. The German Animal Welfare Association also has a database in which you can easily register on the ‘Findefix’ website. This service is also free and also available for other pets.
What does the chip do? The advantages at a glance
Chipping dogs is expensive and involves a lot of effort. Is it really worth it? Even if you live in a state where dog chipping is not required by law, chipping offers several advantages :
- In case of loss, the dog can always be identified without a doubt.
- Unlike a tattoo, the chip is always readable.
- Due to increased microchipping, fewer dogs are stolen.
- With a microchip, travel throughout Europe is possible
For example, animal shelters do not immediately rehome chipped dogs, but first try to find the owner. In addition, they can always prove that the chipped dog belongs to you by showing your pet passport.
5 frequently asked questions about microchipping in dogs
Are you still hesitant or do you have questions? We have compiled the most frequently asked questions about microchips in dogs. If you still need information after reading this, your vet will be happy to help you.
Can the transponder move around in the dog’s body?
In most cases, the microchip is implanted in the left side of the dog’s neck. It quickly grows into the surrounding tissue. This, and its low weight of less than one gram, means that it is almost impossible for it to migrate through the body . It can happen that the chip shifts slightly. However, since it cannot enter the bloodstream, this is not a problem.
What radiation comes from the microchip?
The transponder itself does not emit any radiation . The microchip is only activated when a reader is held up to it. The copper coil contained in the transponder emits harmless radio waves for a short moment and acts as an antenna. After the chip has been read, no more energy flows through it.
Can a dog be located by the chip?
As already mentioned in the previous point: The chip has no battery. Since the chip does not have its own energy source such as rechargeable batteries or batteries, it cannot send signals on its own. It can only be read with an appropriate device. It cannot be located . There are GPS transmitters for the collar that can be located using an app.
Can the dog chip cause cancer?
There is currently no data to suggest that the microchip promotes cancer. As mentioned above, the chip does not emit any radiation . When in doubt, the advantages of being able to quickly find a lost dog outweigh the disadvantages.
What data is stored on the chip?
Only the 15-digit chip number is stored on the microchip. No other data can or will be stored . It is therefore important to register the dog with a pet database so that the dog can return home in the event of an emergency.